The forest did not rest after the battle.
Even as Leo carried Amaya in his arms, the trees continued to tremble—like the earth itself feared the power she had unleashed.
His footsteps were steady, but his grip was not gentle.
He held her as if she might vanish if he loosened his arms even for a heartbeat.
"Stay awake," Leo murmured, lowering his head so his breath warmed her ear.
"Amaya… talk to me."
Her eyelids fluttered, heavy but not fully closing.
"I'm awake," she whispered faintly.
He wasn't convinced.
Her mana still flickered erratically beneath her skin—sometimes burning hot enough to make his arms sting, other times going frighteningly cold.
The fox boy limped behind them, his ears flat, his tail dragging. "The path… should be thinning of corruption soon. We're almost out of the forest."
Leo nodded, but his focus never left Amaya.
Every few steps, his thumb brushed the side of her arm, checking for tremors.
Every few breaths, he leaned closer to feel her warmth.
