Liliths POV
When Zero's body jolted faintly in my arms, I nearly convinced myself I'd imagined it. For what felt like endless minutes, he had lain motionless, his breath shallow, his complexion pale, and his forehead damp with cold sweat. No amount of calling his name, shaking his shoulder, or even channeling faint mana to stabilize him had made any difference.
And then—just as despair began to coil around my chest—his eyelashes quivered, and a ragged gasp left his lips.
"Zero!" My voice cracked as I gripped his wrist. His pulse hammered wildly, a storm beneath fragile skin, and though his chest rose in sharp bursts, his eyes still hadn't opened. It was as though some unseen battle still claimed him.
At last, his lids parted.
