Lyra's eyelids fluttered, her vision hazy as she slowly came back to consciousness. Her body felt heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and pain. For a moment, she couldn't remember where she was or what had happened. The memory of the power, the light—it all felt distant, like a half-forgotten dream.
But then, the fog began to clear, and reality came crashing back.
Kael. Marcus. The battle.
She had saved Kael, had used a power she didn't even understand. But the cost had been too high. Her body felt like it was barely holding on, each breath a reminder of how much energy she had expended.
As she tried to move, a sharp pain shot through her limbs, forcing her to gasp in surprise.
"Easy," came Kael's voice, low and soothing from beside her. "Don't push yourself."
