The sun rose slowly over the ruins of the Academy.
After the darkness and war, the sky was calm and quiet.
But that silence soon turned into a deep uneasiness.
Zero lay on the ground.
His body was heavy, his breathing irregular.
After the final explosion of the curse within him, his body's resistance had been exhausted.
His eyes were closed, but his mind was in the midst of a complex battle.
Kai and Lyria waited anxiously around him.
Lyria knelt down and gently touched Zero's forehead.
"Zero... wake up, please..."
Kai prayed silently.
"Hold on... hold on..."
Zero was in a dream that oscillated between darkness and light.
On one side were the massive shadows of the Academy, and on the other was the light of hope rising from within him.
That light was a fire that would not be extinguished, no matter what.
________________________________________
The Darkness of the Subconscious
That cursed figure appeared in his mind again.
But this time it was quieter.
It whispered:
"You've lost your power... You can't control me anymore..."
"You've been defeated... Surrender."
Zero resisted that voice.
But the exhaustion of his body was overwhelming.
He took a deep breath, gathering the last spark within him:
— "No... you cannot defeat me."
But as his words echoed within him, his body sank even heavier to the ground.
________________________________________
Between Dreams
Zero fell into a dream from which he could not awaken.
He saw himself running freely in a bright forest.
Lyria was by his side; they were walking hand in hand, smiling.
But suddenly, dark shadows emerged from the depths of the forest.
Zero stood his ground, but then that cursed figure appeared from within the shadows:
"This is just the beginning... the real battle is about to begin."
Zero tried to open his eyes, but his body was still motionless.
________________________________________
The Threshold of Awakening
Kai squeezed Zero's hand.
"Brother... wake up."
Lyria's eyes were filled with tears.
"We need you. This battle isn't over."
Suddenly, Zero's fingers moved slightly.
A glimmer of hope emerged.
________________________________________
A New Beginning
Zero slowly opened his eyes.
There was both exhaustion and determination within him.
— "We'll still... fight," he whispered.
Lyria smiled:
— "And this time, you won't be alone."
Kai approached him:
— "Trust us. Together, we are strong."
________________________________________
The sun rose over the ruins of the Academy.
A new day meant a new struggle.
And Zero was preparing to rise as a light born from the darkness.
________________________________________
END OF CHAPTER