Karl fought the heavy weight in his chest, his eyes fluttering as he tried to stay awake. His body ached everywhere, his lips dry, his stomach hollow from days without food or water. He turned his face toward Kaelan, his voice barely a whisper.
"Please… wake up…"
His hand trembled weakly as he reached out, but before he could even touch him, his body gave in to weakness at last. He tried to whisper something, his lips moving faintly, but no strength came out. His hand slipped limply to the side, and his eyes closed. Within seconds, he was gone into a faint, his breathing shallow, his body trembling from the hunger and thirst that had eaten away at him.
Not long after, Kaelan stirred. His head still throbbed, his body sore from the wounds, but he felt a faint lightness compared to before. Forcing his eyes open, he turned and his chest tightened at the sight of Karl lying motionless beside him.
