Toren and Lys looked between them, confused, scared, but trusting Kaen all the same.
"Brother Kaen… what do we do?" Toren asked, his chipped tooth flashing as he bit his lip.
Kaen's flame flickered out in his palm. His jaw tightened as he looked down at Elder Moe, the elder's gills convulsing, blood painting the stones. For once, there was no bravado in Kaen's eyes only the raw weight of the moment pressing against him.
He clenched his fists, then exhaled sharply.
"Let's go. Take him with us…"
Everyone nodded without hesitation.
Lys rushed forward, trying to help lift Moe, but the elder's body was too heavy for her thin frame. Kaen crouched, sliding one arm under Moe's back and another under his scaled legs. He gritted his teeth as he hoisted him up, blood soaking into his shirt instantly.
Kiro swallowed hard, staring at Moe's face, pale and flickering with life.
(He's… dying. If we don't move fast—)
