The air was heavy with tension. The acrid wind tugged at them, and every survivor stood in a wary circle, weapons raised outward, guarding their fragile center.
Dr. Ren gave Qingran a brief nod before turning fully to his patient. "She's strong. If she can hold just a little longer, we can do this cleanly. Yiran, keep her steady. Fang Yuxi, I need you here too, press down when I tell you."
Fang Yuxi swallowed hard but obeyed, kneeling opposite Yiran.
"Shiyue.m" the nurse whispered, her voice softer than the ash falling around them, "look at me. You're safe. You're not alone. Just focus on me."
Shiyue groaned, biting back a scream as another contraction wracked her body. Her nails dug into Yiran's palm, leaving bloodied crescents, but Yiran didn't flinch.
For the first time since escaping the bunker, Qingran's flames guttered low around her hands. She crouched by Shiyue's other side, her voice low, fierce, unyielding.
