The soft murmur of running water echoed through the Ashram's healing wing. Golden lamps flickered faintly on the walls, illuminating the forms of Sharin and Aishwarya, lying unconscious on woven mats. Their bodies were wrapped in bandages from neck to ankle, the scent of medicinal herbs heavy in the air.
Blink… blink…
Sharin's eyes slowly opened.
Pain stabbed through his ribs as he tried to sit up.
"Ugh—"
He clutched his side, breathing sharply.
His blurred vision steadied, revealing a figure seated silently beside Aishwarya.
Shourya was sitting beside her.
"Master…" Sharin whispered.
Shourya turned at once, relief flooding his face.
"Sharin! You're finally awake." His voice trembled with emotion. "How are your injuries?"
"It… still hurts to move," Sharin admitted, trying to adjust himself. "But I'm okay."
His expression darkened. "Master… where is Lioran?"
Shourya's eyes dimmed.
"He's… out of danger," Shourya said quietly. "But…"
Sharin's heart clenched. "But what? Tell me."
Shourya hesitated only a moment before telling him everything
Sharin froze.
His breath caught in his throat.
His fists clenched the sheets so tightly the cloth tore beneath his fingers.
"Master… can I see him?"
"You may," Shourya said softly. "But when you do—please, brace yourself."
Sharin nodded.
Shourya helped him to his feet, supporting most of his weight as they moved slowly down the hallway. Every step sent pain through Sharin's bruised bones, but he didn't complain.
He needed to see Lioran.
Outside the room, Mukhi sat quietly, worry etched all over his face.
"How is he, Mukhi?" Shourya asked.
Mukhi sighed. "Still unconscious. His body is stable… but he hasn't woken."
Sharin's fingers trembled as he approached the small window in the door.
One glance—
And he stumbled backward.
His breath shattered.
His eyes filled instantly.
He covered his mouth, a sob escaping before he could stop it.
"It's my fault…" his voice cracked. "It's all my fault… If I were stronger… he wouldn't have had to suffer like that to save us…"
"No, Sharin." Shourya said gently. "It isn't your fault."
Sharin shook his head violently. "Then whose?! He fought alone while we lay unconscious!"
Shourya lowered his gaze. "If anyone is to blame… it is me. If I had examined the mission report more carefully, you three would never have been sent. I failed you all."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Painful.
Full of guilt.
A few days later.
Water cascaded down the great waterfall, shimmering under the morning sun. Mist rose from the pool, drifting gently across the training grounds.
Beneath the waterfall, Sharin and Aishwarya sat cross-legged, eyes closed, forcing themselves to focus through the pain. Their bandages soaked under the water, their breaths steady but strained.
Shourya watched from a distance, arms folded.
"They've been training like this for two days…" he murmured. "Their injuries should take weeks to heal, yet they refuse to rest."
Aishwarya clenched her fists. "If we were stronger… Lioran wouldn't have suffered so much."
Sharin bit down on his lip. "I should have been able to support him. Instead… I was a burden."
Their hearts were heavy with guilt.
The sound of Shourya's phone broke the moment.
RING— RING—
He answered quickly. "Mukhi? What happened?"
"Master—!" Mukhi's voice came fast. "He woke."
Shourya stiffened. "What!? Lioran woke up?"
Sharin and Aishwarya immediately opened their eyes and stood, water splashing around them.
Mukhi spoke again, breathless.
"Not only that—he's forcing himself to move. He's trying to find Sharin and Aishwarya."
"What?! Stop him! He's not in condition to stand!" Shourya shouted.
"We're coming!"
All three sprinted down the mountain path toward the healing wing.
Inside the ashram, Lioran moved slowly through the hallway, leaning heavily against the wall. His body trembled with every step. Sweat rolled down his face. His single remaining arm dragged across the wall, helping him stay upright.
His voice was hoarse.
"I… need to see them… I have to see them…"
Mukhi followed him desperately.
"Lioran, please! You can't walk yet! Your wounds haven't healed—your stitches are fresh—you need to rest!"
"I can't rest…" Lioran murmured. His voice cracked with emotion. "Not until I see my friends."
"But—!"
Lioran didn't listen.
He continued dragging himself forward.
Then—
Shourya, Sharin, and Aishwarya appeared at the end of the hallway.
Lioran froze.
His eyes widened.
A shaky, broken smile formed on his lips.
"You're… alive…"
Sharin and Aishwarya's expressions softened into relief—
but in an instant, sorrow replaced it.
For now that Lioran stood in the light—
they saw him clearly.
His missing arm.
His hollow, exhausted eyes.
His shaking legs.
His entire body scarred and bandaged.
He was barely able to stand.
Aishwarya's breath hitched.
Sharin felt his chest tighten painfully.
Lioran slowly stepped toward them.
But then—
His vision flashed.
He saw the image again—
Sharin and Aishwarya lying in a pool of blood inside the floating building… motionless… broken…
His heart clenched.
His breathing faltered.
Tears welled in his eyes.
He collapsed to his knees.
Sharin and Aishwarya rushed forward, but he held out his remaining arm weakly.
"Don't come closer…"
Their steps froze.
Tears streamed down Lioran's face, dripping onto the stone floor.
"I am… sorry…" he whispered.
Aishwarya's eyes widened. "What? Why are you apologizing?"
"There is no fault of yours, Lioran," Sharin said firmly.
"No…" Lioran shook his head violently. "It IS my fault."
He clenched his teeth, tears pouring.
"Because of me… You both had to suffer. Because of me… you both got dragged into this mess."
"Lioran—" Sharin began.
"If I tried harder… if I trained harder… if I were stronger—"
His voice cracked.
"—I could have protected you both."
They stared in shock.
Lioran lowered his head.
"So please…" he whispered, voice trembling, "stay away from me… if you both want to live."
The words echoed painfully through the corridor.
Aishwarya's eyes shook.
Sharin's fists clenched.
And then—
PAK!!
A sharp, echoing sound filled the hallway.
Everyone froze.
Aishwarya's hand trembled in the air—
She had slapped him.
Lioran's eyes widened in shock as he slowly raised his head.
Aishwarya's tears streamed down her cheeks, but her voice was strong, trembling with emotion.
"Don't you ever…" she said, breathing hard, "say something so stupid again."
TO BE CONTINUED…