Chapter 8
Pain fades in and out.
Shin slowly opens his eyes.
A dim light fills the room. The smell of medicine hangs in the air. For a moment, he doesn't know where he is. Then the memories return the Black Dragon, the flames, the capital in the distance.
"…Ray?"
"Still breathing," comes a weak voice from nearby.
Shin turns his head. Ray lies in the bed next to him, wrapped in bandages, his arm in a sling.
"We made it," Ray mutters. "Barely."
A healer notices they are awake and rushes toward them.
"You were brought here barely alive," she says sternly. "You've been unconscious for days."
"Days…?" Shin repeats.
When Shin wakes again, the sun is already setting.
The clock on the wall shows 6:00 PM.
His body still hurts, but the pain is manageable now. Slowly, he sits up. Mana flows more smoothly than before, his movements lighter despite the injuries.
Ray stretches carefully.
"Looks like the celebration has already started."
Shin nods.
"We can't miss it."
They change into formal outfits prepared for them dark, simple, but fitting for the royal celebration. Once dressed, they leave the infirmary and head toward the palace.
The royal hall is filled with light, music, and voices.
Nobles turn as Shin and Ray enter.
Whispers spread instantly.
"Is that"
"They survived?"
"After that dragon?"
Eyes follow them as they walk forward.
Then someone steps out of the crowd.
"Shin."
Arthur stands before them, dressed in ceremonial armor, a confident smile on his face.
"You're alive," Arthur says, clearly relieved. "I heard rumors… but seeing you here"
Ray grins weakly.
"Rumors tend to exaggerate."
Arthur laughs and places a hand on Shin's shoulder.
"You came at the perfect time. Come celebrate with us."
Shin looks past Arthur, toward the inner halls of the palace.
"…I can't."
Arthur frowns slightly.
"You just arrived."
"I didn't come here to celebrate," Shin says quietly. "I came for Historia."
The atmosphere shifts.
Arthur's smile fades. He lowers his voice.
"She's in the medical wing. Her condition… hasn't improved."
Shin nods once.
"Then that's where I need to be."
Arthur studies his expression, then steps aside.
"…Go."
The corridors are silent.
Each step feels heavier than the last.
Shin stops before a closed door.
His hand trembles as he reaches for the handle.
Slowly, he opens it.
The room is dim and quiet. Soft candlelight illuminates a figure lying in bed.
Historia.
Her skin is pale. Tubes and magic circles surround her, maintaining her fragile life.
Shin steps closer.
"…Historia."
Her eyes flutter open.
For a moment, she stares at him in disbelief.
"…Shin?" her voice is weak, barely above a whisper. "Is that really you?"
He kneels beside her bed.
"I'm here. I'm sorry… I should have come sooner."
A faint smile appears on her lips.
"You look tired," she says softly. "Did you… get hurt again?"
Shin lets out a quiet, broken laugh.
"Yeah. But I'll be fine."
She reaches out, her hand trembling. Shin gently takes it.
"…I thought," Historia whispers, "that you forgot about me."
His grip tightens.
"Never," Shin says firmly. "I swear it. I'll find a way to save you. No matter what it takes."
Her eyes shine with emotion.
"…Then," she whispers, "I'll believe in you."
They sit there in silence, hands intertwined.
Outside, the celebration continues.
But for Shin, the world has narrowed to this single room.