---
Scene: Forest Clearing, Midnight
Cyras stood tall, his dark aura swirling around him like a cloak of malevolent energy. His eyes flickered with cold amusement as he gazed down at Mordryn, broken and bloodied on the ground. Kang Wo Hu stood protectively in front of him, her crossbow trembling in her hands. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, but she refused to back down.
Kang Wo Hu:
her voice shaking
"You can't have him."
Cyras chuckled softly, his gaze shifting from Kang Wo Hu back to Mordryn, who was barely conscious. The amusement in Cyras's eyes darkened, and he slowly shook his head.
Cyras:
"Oh, Mordryn. You're lucky she cares so much. But even her stubbornness can't save you forever."
He knelt down, just out of Kang Wo Hu's reach, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone.
Cyras:
"I'm giving you one chance, Mordryn. One chance to rest, heal, and reflect on the truth. I could end you here and now, but where's the fun in that?"
Kang Wo Hu's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Cyras, torn between wanting to attack him and knowing she stood no chance against him. Cyras slowly stood up, his eyes gleaming with a promise of more to come.
Cyras:
"But make no mistake—there won't be a second chance. Next time we meet, it will be the end."
With that, Cyras turned and vanished into the night, his figure dissolving into the shadows as if he had never been there at all. The oppressive air lifted, but the damage had been done.
---
Scene: The Aftermath
As soon as Cyras was gone, Kang Wo Hu rushed to Mordryn's side, her heart pounding with fear. His face was pale, his breathing shallow, and blood seeped from wounds that covered his entire body. He was fading fast.
Kang Wo Hu:
panicked
"Mordryn... stay with me. You're not going anywhere, you hear me?"
She fumbled with her phone, dialing the emergency number with trembling fingers. Her voice cracked as she gave their location, pleading for them to hurry. In the back of her mind, she knew that Mordryn wasn't like other people. He wasn't human. But right now, he looked fragile, more fragile than she had ever imagined.
The minutes stretched on like hours until she finally heard the sound of distant sirens cutting through the night air. When the paramedics arrived, they took one look at Mordryn's condition and immediately went to work, lifting him onto a stretcher with the utmost care.
Paramedic:
"He's in critical condition. We need to get him to the hospital now."
Kang Wo Hu followed them, her heart racing, guilt gnawing at her. She should've done more—should've known that this fight was far beyond her capabilities. But there was no time to dwell on that now. All she could do was hope he would pull through.
---
Scene: Hospital, Emergency Room
The hospital was a whirlwind of activity as Mordryn was rushed into surgery. Kang Wo Hu paced the waiting room, biting her lip as hours passed with no word. Her mind raced with thoughts of Cyras, his cryptic words, and the terrifying realization that there was something much bigger going on—something she didn't fully understand.
She hadn't imagined it. Cyras had said it. There wouldn't be another chance.
---
Scene: Months Later, Hospital Room
The months dragged on as Mordryn remained in a coma, his body slowly healing from the devastating injuries Cyras had inflicted on him. The doctors had been baffled by his resilience, unable to explain how he had survived such catastrophic wounds. But Kang Wo Hu knew it wasn't just luck—Mordryn wasn't an ordinary man.
Kang Wo Hu visited him regularly, sitting by his bedside and telling him about the outside world, the hunts she'd gone on, and how the guild had been questioning her nonstop about Cyras. She tried to keep her voice light, but every day that passed without him waking up made her heart sink a little deeper.
Kang Wo Hu:
sitting by his bedside, softly
"You have to wake up, Mordryn. I can't keep doing this without you."
The room was quiet except for the steady beeping of the heart monitor. She sighed, running her fingers through her hair, trying to fight off the overwhelming feeling of helplessness.
And then... a flicker.
She didn't notice it at first—just a small movement, barely there. But then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw it. Mordryn's fingers twitched, the first sign of life in months.
Kang Wo Hu:
her eyes widening, leaning forward
"Mordryn?"
Her heart raced as she watched him closely, praying that it wasn't her imagination. And then it happened again—his fingers moved, more deliberately this time. His chest rose and fell a little deeper, and then, slowly, his eyes began to flutter open.
---
End of Chapter 11