Aria's heart sank as she heard Asher's words. Injured?she repeated, her voice shaking. How bad?
Asher's expression was grim. "He's fighting for his life," he said. "The healer is with him now, but...it's not looking good."
Aria felt like she'd been punched in the gut. Elijah, her brother, the one person she had just found, was fighting for his life. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him.
She pushed past Asher, rushing to Elijah's side. The healer was working on him, her hands moving quickly and precisely. Elijah's face was pale, his body battered and bruised.
Aria's eyes filled with tears as she saw her brother's condition. She felt a wave of grief wash over her, but she pushed it back, focusing on Elijah.
"Please," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "You have to save him."
The healer's expression was sympathetic, but Aria saw the doubt in her eyes. "I'll do everything I can," she said.
Aria nodded, her heart heavy with worry. She sat down beside Elijah, taking his hand in hers. It was cold and limp, and Aria felt a pang of fear.
As the hours passed, Aria sat vigil, holding Elijah's hand and praying for him to pull through. She didn't know what she would do if he didn't make it.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the healer looked up, a small smile on her face. "He's going to make it," she said. "But it was close. He's strong, and he wants to live."
Aria felt a wave of relief wash over her, followed by tears of joy. She leaned forward, hugging Elijah tightly. "You're going to be okay," she whispered. "You're going to be okay."
As Elijah's eyes flickered open, Aria felt a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, everything was going to be okay.
But as Elijah's gaze locked onto hers, Aria saw something there, something that made her heart skip a beat. A warning, a message, that only she could understand.
"Elijah," she whispered, her voice barely audible. What is it?
Elijah's eyes locked onto hers, and Aria saw the fear and the warning there. It's not over, he whispered. The true battle is just beginning.