He bursts through the smoke, slamming his shoulder against the half-burnt door. The wood splinters, and the room opens into chaos—fire crawling across the walls, furniture collapsing in sparks. Lira stumbles back, eyes wide.
"Big brother!"
"I'm here!" Alix shouts. His voice comes out rough, but steady. "I'm here now, Lira!"
He dashes forward, grabbing the fallen beam that pins her in. His hands burn on contact, skin searing, but he doesn't stop. Mana flares around his body, faint and unstable—his power reacting even here, in this illusion. With a grunt, he shoves the beam aside.
Lira cries out, and he scoops her up immediately, cradling her against his chest. Her heartbeat is frantic.
"It's okay," he murmurs, though his lungs are screaming from the smoke. "You're safe now. I've got you."
"Big brother… it hurts…" she whimpers, clutching his shirt.
"I know." He presses her closer. "Close your eyes, alright? I'm gonna save you this time."
