ㅤㅤChristopher caught Neo in his descent with a flight spell, the two of them impacting and rolling along the ground. Christopher felt what parts that touched his bare skin of Neo's burning, and he hoped that meant he was still alive. They finally stopped rolling, and Christopher gasped, sitting up and looking down at Neo.
ㅤㅤ"Neo?" He asked. When there was no answer, he shook him. "Neo!" Still, silence. Panic was strewn across his face as he violently grabbed his shoulders. "Neo, gods dammit, wake up!" In a moment of anger and fear, he slapped him across the cheek.
ㅤㅤ"Ow," Neo mumbled softly.
ㅤㅤChristopher could only laugh bitterly. "Had to make sure you didn't drift off..." He mused. "Like our friend over there."
ㅤㅤNeo hummed in response, still not opening his eyes and rolling away, holding his stomach as he groaned. When he was able, he sat up and sighed, touching his chest as he looked around. Alexandria was sobbing over Axelius's body. Circe was doing the same over Kyrana, who wasn't dead but apparently not waking up, either. Raemith was still, his wound healed, his demonic arm slowly growing back - which was disgusting - but then his eyes fell on Quilliene.
ㅤㅤHe scrambled to his feet, running over and coming to kneel next to her. "Liene?" He asked, fear in his voice.
ㅤㅤHer eyes slowly fluttered open, and she smiled weakly. "Hey." She said softly, and cast a little protection magick over herself so he could pull her into his lap. "Is he dead?"
ㅤㅤNeo glanced at Alexandria, setting his jaw as he saw her tears. "Yes..." He said, guilt lining his tone.
ㅤㅤ"And Alexandria?" She asked, worry lining hers.
ㅤㅤNeo shook his head, looking down at her as Christopher came up behind them. "I've never had a sibling," Neo said. "So I can't say I understand her pain... but I know no amount of money can help heal a wound of losing someone so important to you."
ㅤㅤShe nodded, then simply sighed, nuzzling into his stomach. As he looked down at her, though, now close to unconsciousness, he noticed something. Something on his chest - or rather, something lacking from it. He pulled back his shirt, looking at the spots where the black veins should have been. He hadn't noticed, but he felt... better. Glancing at Christopher, whose eyes were wide with surprise, Neo managed a smile.
ㅤㅤThe curse was gone.