The medical ward smelled of metal, antiseptic, and burned stone.
Alex sat on the floor outside Lina's room with his back against the wall, knees pulled to his chest. He had been there since nightfall. He hadn't slept. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the sky tearing open again.
Inside the room, healers moved quietly.
Too quietly.
"She's stable," one of them finally said, stepping out. "Physically."
Alex lifted his head. "Physically?"
The healer hesitated. "Her mind… retreated. Severe shock. We don't know if or when she will speak again."
Alex nodded slowly, as if he had expected that answer all along.
"Can I see her?"
The healer studied him for a moment, then stepped aside.
Lina sat upright on the bed, wrapped in a white blanket. Her eyes were open. Awake.
Alex's chest tightened with relief.
"Lina," he said softly, stepping closer. "Hey. It's me."
No response.
He moved to her side. "You're safe. You're really safe. I stopped it."
Her fingers twitched.
Hope flared in his chest.
"I know you're scared," he continued quickly. "But it's over now. I promise. I won't let anything hurt you again."
Lina slowly turned her head.
Her eyes met his.
And then she flinched.
Not violently. Not dramatically.
Just enough.
Enough to break him.
Her gaze slid away, fixing on the wall behind him. Her breathing quickened. Her hands clenched the blanket as if bracing for something terrible.
"Lina?" Alex whispered. "Please… look at me."
She didn't.
Alex reached out, then stopped inches from her shoulder. His hand trembled.
"I didn't mean for it to happen," he said, voice cracking. "I was trying to help. I was trying to protect you. I was trying to be strong."
Tears blurred his vision.
"I thought if I was strong enough, no one would die."
Lina's lips parted slightly.
For one terrible moment, Alex thought she was going to speak.
Instead, a small sound escaped her throat. A broken, frightened sound. The kind a child made when they remembered something they could not escape.
Alex stumbled back as if struck.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."
He turned and fled the room.
The elders convened three days later.
Alex stood alone in the center of the chamber, hands at his sides, sword confiscated. Around him, the survivors of Terra Valis watched in silence.
No one shouted.
No one accused.
That was worse.
"The incident was unprecedented," one elder said carefully. "No single individual could have predicted such an outcome."
Another continued. "However, the source of the spatial fracture has been identified."
All eyes turned to Alex.
"You," the elder said.
Alex did not deny it.
"I will accept any punishment," he said quietly.
The elders exchanged glances.
"There will be no punishment," the first said. "Only… separation."
Alex's heart sank.
"Your presence destabilizes the ley lines," the elder continued. "Whether by intent or not. Terra Valis cannot risk another event."
Alex clenched his fists. "So you're afraid of me."
Silence.
"That is not an accusation," the elder replied. "It is reality."
Alex swallowed hard. "What about my sister?"
"She will be cared for."
That was not an answer.
Alex visited Lina one last time that night.
She sat by the window now, staring at the distant cliffs. The glow of the ley lines reflected faintly in her eyes.
"I'm leaving," Alex said softly. "They think it's safer if I'm gone."
No reaction.
He stepped closer. "I don't know how long I'll be away. But I'll come back. Stronger. In control. I promise."
Still nothing.
Alex took a deep breath. "I just wanted you to know… everything I did was for you."
Lina slowly turned her head.
For the first time since the disaster, she looked directly at him.
Her eyes were not angry.
They were afraid.
She whispered a single word.
"Don't."
Alex froze.
"I won't hurt you again," he said desperately.
But Lina had already turned away.
Alex left without another word.
He did not look back.
Because if he did, he knew he would never have the strength to walk away.
That night, as Alex crossed the borders of Terra Valis alone, the ley lines dimmed behind him.
And somewhere deep in the fabric of reality, something watched the boy who had lost everything — and chose exile over becoming a monster.