***Cassius***
I woke to darkness.
Not the gentle darkness of sleep, but the suffocating, absolute darkness of nothing. My lungs burned as I gasped for air that felt foreign in my chest, my heart stuttered and raced like it had forgotten how to beat properly.
Where was I?
The last thing I remembered was pain. Sharp, overwhelming pain as the blade pierced through me, Aldrik's face above mine, twisted with anguish I'd never seen before. My own voice, rough and breaking, saying the only truth I had left.
"I hate you."
Then nothing.
"Cassius! Cassius, can you hear me?"
The voice came from somewhere far away, muffled like I was underwater. I tried to focus, tried to make sense of the words, but my mind felt sluggish, disconnected from my body.
Hands touched my face, warm and gentle.
"He's awake! Camilla, get Raizel! Quickly!"
That voice. I knew that voice.
