Cian sat in the hospital waiting room, the sterile air biting at his skin. His legs bounced nervously as he stared at the floor, trying to block out the distant hum of fluorescent lights and the murmur of nurses rushing through the halls. The words replayed in his head on a relentless loop: Your parents were in an accident...critical condition...we're doing all we can.
Beside him, Logan sat silently, his presence steady, anchoring Cian to reality. Logan's knee brushed his, and Cian flinched at the contact.
"They'll be okay," Logan said quietly, his voice calm but tinged with uncertainty.
He placed a hand on Cian's knee, halting its nervous bouncing. "You'll be okay."
Cian glanced at him, his jaw tightening.
"I don't feel okay, Logan," he admitted, his voice low and strained.
"I feel... I don't know. Like everything's slipping away, and I can't stop it."
Logan hesitated, then shifted closer, draping an arm over Cian's shoulders. The warmth of the gesture startled him, but Cian leaned into it, letting Logan's steady presence soothe him.
"You don't have to stop it," Logan murmured.
"You don't have to hold it all together. Just breathe. I'm here."
Cian's fingers curled into the fabric of Logan's shirt as the weight of the moment crushed him.
"I can't lose them," he whispered, his voice breaking.
"You're not alone," Logan said firmly, his hand gently rubbing Cian's back
. "I promise, no matter what happens, you've got me. You've got Sam. We'll get through this."
Before Cian could respond, a nurse stepped into the room, her expression unreadable.
"Cian… you can see them now."
Cian stiffened, his breath catching. Logan gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"I'll go with you," Logan said, his voice steady.
Together, they followed the nurse down the long hallway. Each step felt heavier, Cian's legs turning to jelly.
"Logan," he muttered, his voice shaky.
"Yeah?" Logan asked immediately.
"Can you... can you carry me?" Cian's cheeks turned red.
Logan gave him a soft smile. "Of course." Without hesitation, he scooped Cian into his arms.
Sam stopped outside the door, her voice breaking as she hugged Cian tightly.
"I'll wait here. If I go in, I'll just cry, and it'll make things harder."
Cian nodded. "Okay. Logan?"
"I'm with you," Logan said, holding him close as they stepped inside.
The room felt impossibly large. The sight of his parents lying pale and fragile in their hospital beds sent a wave of grief crashing over Cian. Logan gently set him down. Each step toward the beds felt like it might shatter him, but he forced himself to keep going.
"Mom… Dad… please," he whispered, his voice trembling. "Please don't leave me and Leah. I'll find her. I promise. I'll bring us back together. Just... don't go."
His mother stirred, her eyes fluttering open weakly. "Honey…" she rasped.
"MOM!" Cian cried, rushing to her side.
She gave him a faint smile, her frail hand reaching for his. "There's something you need to know," she whispered.
Cian blinked through his tears. "What is it?"
"You're..." She coughed weakly, her breath shallow. "You're a witch."
"What?" Cian's voice was a mix of disbelief and confusion.
"Yes," his father added weakly.
"This isn't a joke, is it?"
"No," Evelyn said, gripping his hand tighter. "The Bloodworth family... we're guardians of chaos magic. It's raw, untamed... but beautiful. You have that magic in you, Cian. You must learn to control it."
Her breathing grew weaker as she added, "And you must face Nyx Ashthorne. She'll come for our legacy. Go to my office, find the key in the left drawer. It will lead you to what you need."
"And..." his father whispered, tears brimming in his eyes. "You must go to Obscura Sanctum."
"That place is real?" Cian whispered, wide-eyed.
"Yes," his father said. "It holds the secrets of chaos magic."
Cian nodded, tears streaming as he gripped both their hands. "I'll protect it. I'll find Leah. I promise."