While he was distracted, Liz and Cyrus ran toward Kael and carried him out. They didn't stop until they were far from the hero—putting as much distance as they could between them.
Then she started healing him, her hands glowing softly as Aria distracted Axel. Slowly… Kael's vision began to clear.
"Hey there, sunshine," he said, his voice soft—worn down to a whisper.
She didn't answer.
She just hugged him—and broke down.
"I'm okay now," he muttered, barely holding the words together.
"Shut up," she snapped. Her voice cracked as golden light flared in her palms. "Just shut up."
While Liz poured everything into healing him, Aria fought alone—keeping Axel at bay with blasts of wind magic and arrows, trying to buy them time.
Kael sat up slowly, pain still tightening his chest.
He looked at Liz—eyes heavy, voice low.
"Buy me some time."
She hesitated.
"What will you do?" she asked, her voice shaking, eyes wide with panic.
Kael didn't answer right away.
