Lilith watched in awe as Caedes' eyes glowed with an eerie crimson light. She could feel the power radiating within him, a raw, untamed force. "W-what are you doing?" The girl whispered, her voice filled with wonder and fear.
"Trust me," Caedes replied, his voice straining with concentration.
"I can end this."
With a final, determined effort, Caedes held the basilisk's blood through an invisible connection.
He ciuld move it, burn it, however he wants. But the boy did not want to show lilith the extent of his powers yet.
He directed the creature's blood towards its' heart, forcing it ti rupture. tightened his grip on the basilisk's blood. The creature's roars turned into a gurgling scream as it felt its insides twist.
Taking a deep breath, Caedes gripped his makeshift dagger. He sprinted towards the basilisk, movements fueled by determination and adrenaline. With a final, powerful leap, he drove the dagger into the creature's chest, aiming for its heart.
The basilisk let out a final, earth-shattering roar as the dagger pierced its heart. Its massive body convulsed, and then, with a shudder, it collapsed to the ground.
Caedes fell to his knees, exhaustion washing over him as the final blow landed on the basilisk. The creature let out a deafening roar, its body twitching once before lying still.
The air was thick with the rancid smell of blood and the remnants of Caedes' intense struggle. Swaying to his right, the boy's vision blurred.
Lilith, who had been watching in a mix of awe and fear, rushed to his side. Her heart jumped as she knelt beside him, her hands shaking as she gently lifted his head, checking his pulse.
'It's a mana drain.'
"Theodore! Theo, wake up!" The girl's voice was filled with panic, her eyes scanning his face for any signs of the side effects.
Caedes' eyes fluttered open, and he managed a weak smile. "We... we did it," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of Lilith's heart.
Tears welled up in the girl's eyes as she held him close, her mind racing with worry. "Stay with me! Don't you dare leave me now!"
She frantically checked his wounds, but there were too many. His body was covered in cuts and bruises, and the toll of using his gift of blood had drained his mana completely. Just like the girl, he had still not understood the extent of his powers, much less master it.
He did not know that he had 'overused' his powers, therefore being unable to heal. Lilith's hands were slick with blood as she tried to apply pressure on the worst of his injuries.
"Theodore, you have to hang on," Lilith pleaded, her voice breaking. "I can't do this without you."
Caedes' breathing was shallow, and he could barely keep his eyes open. He forced himself to focus on Lilith's face, drawing strength from her determination. "I'm not going anywhere," he murmured,
'For I am immortal.'
Lilith's mind raced as she tried to think of a way to save him. She tore strips of fabric from her clothes to bandage his wounds, working quickly and efficiently despite the tears streaming down her face. She knew she had to keep him conscious, had to keep him talking.
"Do you remember the first time we met?" she asked, her voice trembling. "You were so serious, so determined. I thought you were a bit scary, to be honest."
Caedes managed a faint chuckle, the sound barely more than a rasp. "And I thought...you were too stubborn for your good," he replied, his eyes locking onto hers.
Lilith smiled through her tears, grateful for even this small sign of his resilience. "Maybe we were both right," she said softly. "But we make a good team, don't we?"
He nodded weakly, the effort costing him. "The best," he whispered.
The cave around them seemed to close in, the darkness pressing down as the reality of their situation set in. They were alone, deep within the heart of the dungeon, with no immediate help in sight.
But Lilith refused to give up. She had seen him fight with everything he had, had watched him push himself beyond his limits to protect her. She wouldn't let his efforts be in vain.
As she worked to stabilize his condition, Lilith's thoughts drifted on their journey together. The trials they had faced, the monsters they had defeated, and the bond they had come up to make.
It hadn't always been easy, and there had been times when they had both doubted themselves and each other. But they had persevered and had found strength in their partnership.
"Theo, listen to me," she said firmly, her voice steady, despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "You can't leave me. We have to get out of here, and you promised me you'd be there."
The boy nodded, forcing his eyes open. "I... I promised," he echoed, his voice fading.
Lilith's grip tightened on his hand as if her touch alone could keep him anchored to this world.
Time seemed to stretch on endlessly as Lilith fought to keep Caedes conscious. She talked to him, recounting their adventures, sharing memories and hopes for the future.
She spoke of the world outside the dungeon, of the life they could have once they escaped this nightmare. Her words were a lifeline, a thread of hope that she clung to with all her might.
Eventually, Caedes' breathing began to steady, and some color returned to his pale face. He was far from healed, but he was alive, and that was enough for Lilith.
The cheeks of the 12 year old girl flushed as she realized that he would start healing as soon as his mana started recovering.
As she sat beside him, her hand still holding his, Lilith made a silent vow.
She would protect him, just as he had protected her.
They were a team, and nothing would tear them apart. They had fought too hard and too much to give up now.
With a new determination, the girl began to plan their next move. They needed to find a way out of this dungeon.
Lilith squeezed his hand gently, her heart filled with resolve.
"We're going to make it," she whispered,
"I promise."
***