Julius's POV
I tried to pry my eyes open, forcing them apart little by little as if they were glued shut.
The moment I did, pain slammed into me all over again.
The impact from earlier still lingered, like something had been ripped straight out of my chest and left a hollow space behind. My ribs ached with every tiny movement, and it felt wrong in a way I couldn't properly explain. Breathing didn't come naturally anymore. It felt forced and strained.
I tried to wheeze, but something inside me resisted.
Air wouldn't pass through properly. It was like there was an invisible wall lodged deep in my lungs, blocking everything. Every attempt to breathe sent sharp pain shooting through my chest, twisting and digging deeper the more I tried. Thinking straight became difficult. My thoughts came out sluggish, scattered, and it was like they were lagging behind reality.
Dust filled the air around me.
