Azad sat against the cold iron wall of the small room, his eyes still fixed on Ellie's pale form through the narrow glass window. His heart ached, not only with the agony of seeing her like this but with a deeper fear gnawing at him—of what he would find out next.
Lorn stood a few steps away, watching him in silence. The flickering firelight cast his face in strange shadows, darkening his already brooding expression. Azad turned to him, his voice barely more than a rasp. "What happened back there, Lorn? How did I… how did we survive the Wither? And why… Why is Ellie like this?"
Lorn tilted his head, his gaze turning slightly softer, though his voice remained cold and steady. "Seeing you at death's door, Ellie lost control. She tapped into a power she shouldn't have… pushed herself to the brink. The energy was enough to drive the Wither away." His eyes flickered with something like pity. "But that surge… her body couldn't handle it."
Azad clenched his jaw, looking back at Ellie. "So… she saved me. And nearly killed herself in the process." His voice trembled. "And Choco—"
Lorn looked down, hesitating before he spoke again. "I tracked her energy through the forest. It… had changed the landscape, stripped it bare. When I got there…" He paused, choosing his words with uncharacteristic care. "Your dog… he didn't make it, Azad. I only found his head."
Azad felt a crushing silence settle over him. He looked down, eyes unfocused. Choco had been with him through every battle, every hopeless moment. It felt as if the ground had been yanked from under him. His chest tightened, the weight of grief pressing on him. He tried to speak, but no words came.
"I buried him there," Lorn added quietly, his voice softened to a rare warmth.
Azad's voice cracked as he whispered, "Choco...."
Lorn nodded, allowing a beat of silence before continuing. "Azad… her condition isn't stable. She'll die if she stays like this, trapped between realms. Her spirit's drifting further from us each day." He stepped forward, his voice taking on a firm, almost urgent edge. "If you want to save her, you don't have time to hesitate. You need to act quickly."
Azad straightened, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand as he steadied himself. "Then tell me what I have to do."
Lorn's dark gaze met his, unwavering. "There's a ritual, an ancient one, that may allow her spirit to return to this world. But it's not for the faint-hearted."
Azad squared his shoulders. "I'm willing to try anything."
Lorn studied him, a flicker of respect in his eyes. "Very well." He reached into his cloak and pulled out a small, worn book, handing it to Azad. "This will guide you."
Azad took the book, his hand shaking as he flipped it open. Strange symbols filled the pages, but one thing was clear: this wasn't an ordinary ritual. "And if I fail?"
Lorn's face grew grim, and for the first time, he seemed to hesitate. "Then both your lives will be forfeit."
Azad swallowed, nodding. His fingers tightened around the book as he looked back at Ellie. He wouldn't let her die—not after everything they'd been through. "Then I'll succeed."
Lorn's eyes softened, just for a moment, his voice a rare murmur of warmth. "I believe you will." Then his expression hardened once more. "Prepare yourself, Azad. Once you start, there's no turning back."
Azad gave him a determined nod. "For Ellie… and for Choco. I won't fail."
End Of Volume 1