The forest was quiet.
Too quiet.
The corpses of the Wraithwolves lay scattered like torn shadows around Kael and Lira, their bodies already dissolving into black mist. The smell of iron and decay lingered in the air.
Kael stood swaying, his breath ragged.
The shadows around him flickered weakly, like dying flames.
"Kael…" Lira whispered, stepping closer. "You're hurt badly."
He didn't answer.
His eyes—usually sharp, merciless—were unfocused. His skin had turned an unnatural shade of pale grey, and his wounds were still bleeding dark, thick blood that pulsed like liquid shadow.
Lira reached for him.
Kael's hand shot up instinctively, grabbing her wrist.
His grip was weak, but his voice carried the same warning as always:
"Stay… back…"
Lira shook her head. "No. Not this time."
She gently pried his fingers off her wrist, surprising him with how steady she was. Kael blinked, struggling to focus.
"You used too much shadow," she said quietly.
Kael's vision blurred. "It… takes from me. More… each time…"
His body suddenly buckled.
Lira rushed forward, catching him as he collapsed to his knees. His weight nearly dragged her down, but she held on, arms wrapped around his shoulders.
Kael looked up at her, stunned.
He had never been held by anyone gently.
Not once in his entire life.
"I have to stop the bleeding," Lira said, voice trembling—but determined.
She reached for the torn flesh on his arm, but Kael growled weakly.
"It won't work… normal healing doesn't…"
"I don't care!" she snapped suddenly, surprising even herself. "You're dying!"
Kael's eyes widened—more at her shout than the pain.
His strength finally gave out.
He collapsed fully into her arms.
Lira lowered him to the ground, brushing his hair from his forehead. His breath was shallow, uneven, each inhale sounding like gravel scraping inside him.
She pressed her glowing pendant against one of his wounds.
A soft silver light seeped into his skin.
Kael's back arched violently, a raw cry tearing from his throat.
"No—stop—" he gasped. "It's—burning—!"
Lira pulled back immediately, terrified. "I'm sorry—I'm sorry—does it hurt that much?"
Kael's eyes fluttered. His voice was a broken whisper. "Light… burns my shadow… but…"
He swallowed hard, struggling to speak.
"…you didn't want to hurt me."
Lira wiped her eyes. "Of course I didn't."
Kael looked at her—really looked.
Something in his gaze softened, just for a moment.
"You… shouldn't be near me…" he whispered.
"Too late," she whispered back.
He closed his eyes.
A rare, fragile moment of peace crossed his face—something he didn't understand, something he had never allowed himself to feel.
The shadows around him sank slowly into the ground.
And Kael went still.
"…Kael?" Lira shook him gently. "Kael!"
He didn't answer.
His chest rose, then fell—slow, weak.
He had fainted.
Panic surged through her.
She knelt beside him, glancing around the forest. Her hands trembled.
"I can't carry you," she whispered hoarsely. "I don't even know where I am."
She brushed her thumb across his cheek—cold, too cold.
Tears gathered in her lashes.
"You saved me," she whispered. "Now I have to save you."
Her pendant glowed again—not fiercely like before, but soft, warm, and steady.
Lira took a deep breath.
"Okay… okay, think. You're not dying. I won't let you die."
She lifted Kael's arm over her shoulder.
He was heavy—far more than he looked—but she forced herself up, dragging him inch by inch.
Somewhere in the forest, something howled.
Lira flinched—but didn't stop.
"No one is taking you," she whispered fiercely. "Not while I'm here."
She staggered forward, Kael limp against her.
A fragile girl
carrying a fallen monster
through a dangerous world.
But for the first time…
They weren't alone.