Lia's steps quickened as she raced toward the laboratory. Her heart pounded violently, her mind weighed down by the image of Kyle's severed arm and the echo of his groans that refused to leave her ears. But as she arrived, her eyes froze in shock: the laboratory's steel door was shattered, as if a beast had erupted from within. Panic etched across her face, her fingers trembling as she pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her ragged breaths.
She ran in chaotic steps, tripping over scattered shards of glass before collapsing violently to the floor. The impact brought back fragmented images: Kyle bleeding, Kyle screaming, Kyle vanishing into the darkness.
Slowly, she lifted her head, her eyes brimming with tears, only to meet a familiar hand reaching toward her.
And a hoarse, familiar voice, faint but distinct:
"Are you hurt? What happened?"
Lia gasped, throwing herself into Kyle's arms, clutching him tightly as tears soaked his shoulders.
"I was… so scared. When I saw the door broken, I thought something terrible had happened to you."
But Kyle abruptly pushed her away, his eyes glistening with pain, his voice jagged:
"Don't you see? My hand… it's severed! And you left me like this!"
Pain flickered across his features, but soon his expression hardened into cold resolve:
"What happened? Were you discovered while trying to hide the body? 09 came… and if it weren't for Phayl… I don't even want to imagine what would have happened."
Lia lowered her head, words stumbling over sobs:
"The worst… it happened. I'm sorry… truly sorry."
Kyle narrowed his eyes, his face growing harsher as he lifted her chin to make her face him:
"Tell me… did you bring Cloe? Is she alive… or dead?"
Lia collapsed into tears, sobbing:
"I couldn't… I couldn't finish it. When I saw she was still breathing… I couldn't. I nearly dragged you to hell because of me!"
Suddenly, Kyle grabbed her by the neck and slammed her against the wall, eyes blazing:
"You saved her from death?! How is she alive after everything I did to her?!"
Lia screamed under the pressure:
"I'm sorry! Truly sorry!"
Kyle's anger melted into something else; he threw her toward the scattered chairs, then bent down before her, voice dripping with both harshness and a warped tenderness:
"Don't ever act like an animal or a demon because of me. I've told you before: you're an angel… not like humans. And every time, you prove it to me again."
He then pulled her close, patting her head awkwardly:
"Don't change yourself or your beliefs for me. Your work is to reach paradise… not to stain yourself."
Lia, tears streaking her face, stammered:
"But… what if Cloe accuses you of trying to kill her?"
Kyle blinked in surprise, his eyes wide:
"She… she's awake? And why didn't she do it?"
"She said she started the fight herself… that she tried to kill you. That's why Moathan turned a blind eye."
Kyle laughed madly, the sound bouncing off the shattered lab walls:
"Unexpected, that arrogant mutt! Seems she still has a shred of pride."
Then he wiped Lia's tears with his thumb, looking her straight in the eyes:
"If you had abandoned her for my sake… you would have destroyed me. I don't want you living with the feeling that you're a killer. Since I killed that vile caretaker… I've known no peaceful sleep. My life has been nothing but nightmares."
In a moment of fury, Kyle slapped Lia hard. She grabbed his face with both hands, voice trembling:
"You didn't kill her! It's not your fault!"
Kyle stepped back, face shadowed, trying to hide his turmoil:
"Are you going to leave me like this? Aren't you going to sew my arm?"
Lia hesitated, eyes anxious:
"I asked Moathan for permission to use the healer… but he refused, told me to ask Brian. I'm waiting for his answer."
"And if Brian refuses?"
"I'll stitch it myself… and you'll be forced to work like this."
Kyle chuckled with sarcasm:
"Won't your hand heal by tomorrow?"
She looked at him seriously, eyes wide:
"Even with your healing ability… you'll need at least two weeks. The procedure is complex. Reconnecting nerves is slow… you could lose sensation for months. You might never regain full control."
Kyle let out a short, defiant laugh:
"I'm not like the others. Just do it. Brian won't send the healer… they know you're capable of performing it yourself."
At that moment, Lia's watch rang. A 3D projection of Brian appeared, his face cold as ice:
"How's Kyle? Can you perform the surgery alone… or do you need assistance?"
Lia snapped, voice trembling with tears:
"Why not send Ron to treat him?!"
Brian replied with deadly calm:
"Ron's exhausted. Using his abilities again would render him incapacitated for a full day. And there are many wounded in Laramir. We won't waste a healer on a fool."
Lia's cheeks flamed with anger:
"So how is he supposed to go on a mission tomorrow?!"
Brian exhaled indifferently:
"These are orders. We need him. How he fights with a severed arm… he'll find a way. Tell him he should be grateful we didn't execute him. He must prove to the commander that pardoning him was the right choice."
Before she could argue, the connection cut.
Kyle's mocking voice followed:
"I haven't seen you this angry in a long time… don't you trust your abilities?"
Lia suddenly kicked him sharply in the gut, forcing him to bend over in pain:
"The surgery could take eight hours! And I have other tasks waiting! That's why I'm angry."
Kyle stared at her, astonished:
"Is there something more important than my arm right now?"
Her eyes flashed, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper:
"Moathan tasked me with a mission. He promised me his blood, and the treated president's blood as well, if I succeed. This is a chance that can't be wasted. And you… in two weeks, you'll join the team to retrieve a critical material for producing blue salt."
Kyle raised an eyebrow:
"Isn't that material secret?"
"It is. But he told me you'd go personally with the team. That means I can obtain something priceless from you."
"Moathan's blood… what makes it special?"
She shrugged, ambition shining in her eyes:
"I don't know yet. But I'm certain it's unique, perhaps even more valuable than the treated president's blood. If I acquire it, my research will reach what no one else has."
Kyle chuckled lightly, teasing:
"Then don't waste time on me. Go start your mission. I can survive with one arm."
Lia shouted, eyes blazing with tears:
"Are you crazy?! How do you expect me to focus while you're like this?! Lie down on the operating table. I'll perform the surgery… and the AI will assist me."
In the operating room, Kyle lay on the metallic table. Harsh white lights reflected off his pale skin. AI machines emitted constant beeps, monitoring blood pressure and oxygen levels, while precise mechanical arms hovered around his severed limb like the fingers of a robotic surgeon.
Lia's hand trembled as she began, battling her tears. Inside, Kyle's voice echoed: "You're an angel… don't become a killer." But she also saw his blood spilling endlessly, felt the possibility of losing him.
"Focus… just focus…" she muttered, then commanded the AI:
"Activate the scanners. Give me a precise map of the nerves and blood vessels."
Thin blue rays traced a three-dimensional network on the screen, revealing every severed artery and nerve.
The operation began. Tiny metal plates were meticulously fixed to fuse the bone. Robotic arms extended transparent threads to connect the blood vessels, while Lia, with tense expertise, stitched nerves under the microscope, fingers trembling with each near slip.
In her mind, she saw Kyle as a child… laughing, chasing her. Then his current self, groaning in pain. Tears soaked her mask, but she persevered.
After three and a half hours of relentless work, she closed the skin with precise lines, covered the wound, and took a deep breath.
Kyle slowly awoke. His fingers twitched involuntarily, but when he tried to lift his arm, a scream of pain pierced the air. His body bent as if lightning had struck his nerves.
Lia shouted, gripping him firmly:
"Stop! Don't move! At least two weeks… or you'll ruin everything!"
She slowly lowered his arm onto his chest, tightly wrapped the bandages, placed the arm sling, and helped him put on his shirt.
Her eyes were red from sleeplessness and tears, but her voice was firm:
"Go rest. Tomorrow, you'll catch up with Brian in Laramir."
Kyle gave a weary, sarcastic smile, voice hoarse:
"I've slept enough. Let's go."
Lia glared sharply:
"Go alone. I'll stay. I have work to do… the corpses of the creatures outside, their hides… their bones. I have no time to waste."