I strained to listen, trying to catch any signs of Davis lingering outside, but after a while, the only sound I could hear was the relentless crackling of flames. Peering through a small gap in the rocks, I confirmed my suspicions—he was gone. Relieved, I turned my attention to Emma. Carefully removing her gauntlet, I watched as the surrounding rocks dispersed in all directions.
Hoisting Emma onto my back, I staggered forward. She was heavy, and every step felt like dragging a mountain, but I couldn't stop. I had to keep moving. Then, a pang of guilt struck me—I'd forgotten about Sophia. I turned quickly, spotting her lying motionless on the ground. Her eyes met mine, filled with a bittersweet mix of sorrow and relief.
Determined, I made my way toward her. She tried to protest, her lips forming silent words urging me to leave her behind, but I pressed on. My own body was betraying me—my ears rang, my vision blurred, and the sharp, metallic scent of blood filled the air. My legs trembled with every step, yet I refused to stop.
Sophia eventually gave up trying to convince me to leave. Her head drooped, and I quickened my pace, desperate to reach her. But my body had reached its limit. With one final step, I collapsed, falling face-first into the dirt.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself in an unfamiliar room, my body wrapped in bandages. My vision was hazy, and my head pounded relentlessly. I attempted to sit up, but the searing pain forced me to abandon the effort. Turning my head slightly, I noticed another bed beside mine. Sitting upright on it was someone who looked like Sophia, her back to me as she ate. Relief washed over me—she was alive.
I tried to speak, but no sound came out. Exhausted, I turned my head back and closed my eyes. A little while later, I felt someone poking my cheek. I opened my eyes to find Iris staring down at me, her expression one of mild disgust.
She smirked before retreating to her own bed, sitting with an air of superiority. The grin on her face was maddening. I met her gaze with a confused look, then turned away, deciding to focus on resting.
"That was one hell of a bloodbath, huh?" she said with a chuckle. "Never thought those foolish humans would start another war—not after how badly they've been crushed every time they tried." She leaned back, brushing her bangs away from her face as she laughed.
"I fail to see what's so funny," I replied, my voice tinged with irritation. Hearing myself speak was a surprise, but I suppressed my urge to bombard Iris with questions, forcing myself to stay calm.
"Where are we?" I asked.
She stopped laughing and gazed at the ceiling. "Honestly? I'm not sure. When Sophia passed out, her life force was depleting fast. I had to intervene. I managed to heal her major injuries, but then a group of vampires showed up—they called themselves the Crimson… something. Whatever, I can't remember. They're some kind of search-and-rescue team hired by some noble. Lord... Jed something? Anyway, I couldn't do much after that, so I let them take over. Their food here is amazing, though." She grinned.
"Really? The food?" I interrupted, unimpressed.
"Hey, don't judge me!" she snapped. "It's really good!"
"And Sophia? Will she be okay?" I pressed.
"Ugh, quit with the questions!" she groaned. "If I'm fine, she's fine. But seriously, you should be more worried about yourself. That stupid stunt you pulled nearly got you killed. The doctors couldn't do much because you were bleeding like crazy internally. I had to patch you up with magic, but since this body isn't fully matured yet, my magic was too weak to heal you properly. What do you expect me to do if you just up and die on me, huh?"
"Sounds like a you problem," I retorted dryly.
Her eyes widened, and she practically snarled. "Huh?! What did you just say, you little shit? I'm not your guardian angel! You want to meet your parents that badly? Fine, I'll just lift the healing spell right now!"
"Don't bring them into this!" I shouted. My voice cracked with raw emotion. "I'm sorry. Just—please—leave them out of this."
A heavy silence fell between us. After a moment, Iris sighed and stood. She walked to the door, her tone softening. "Look… I'm sorry too. I know what it's like to lose someone important." She hesitated. "I'll let the doctors know you're awake." Then she left.
As the door clicked shut, I wondered if I'd struck a nerve. Closing my eyes, I waited for the doctors to arrive.
Two weeks later, Sophia and I had fully recovered. We were escorted home in a carriage provided by Lord Jed Bonnes, a distinguished noble and close friend of my late father. Over the past weeks, he had gone above and beyond to ensure our safety, showering us with gifts and support. As the head of the Kernes family, it was customary to visit him to express our gratitude.
I made a mental note to plan that visit—eventually.