Smith's Pov
The healer's assistant appeared from the back room, her eyes widening at the sight of us—me on my knees, Lilia cradled in my arms.
"Master Thalos!" she called. "Emergency!"
A tall, gaunt man emerged, professionalism replacing shock on his weathered face.
"Bring her here," he ordered, gesturing toward a treatment room.
I staggered to my feet and laid Lilia on the narrow cot, reluctant to let her go.
"What happened?" Thalos demanded, his fingers already working to remove her blood-soaked clothing.
"Goblin chieftain, came out of nowhere" I said hollowly. "She took a club to the torso and the power threw her against a tree."
The healer's hands moved methodically, a faint blue glow emanating from his fingertips as he performed diagnostic magic. (a subcategory of healers magic only used by D class healers and up)
"Multiple fractures. Severe lacerations. Cranial bleeding," he muttered. "Extensive internal trauma."
"Can you save her?" My question hung in the air.
Instead of answering, Thalos called to his assistant, "Mira, prepare the surgery room. Gather the bone-knitting salves and skull-pressure kit. And my emergency rune set."
As Mira rushed off, the healer turned back to me giving a sympathetic expression. "I'll do what I can."
The door burst open as the rest of our party arrived. Earlston leaned heavily on Cecilia, his face pale beneath the blood. Rowan and Maya hovered nearby Kai as they walked through the door, expressions grim.
"You'll need to wait outside," Thalos said firmly. "All of you."
"I'm staying with her," I insisted.
The healer's eyes hardened. "No. You'll only be in the way, and right now, every second counts."
I watched helplessly as they transferred Lilia to a stretcher and carried her away, her face unnaturally still in the lamplight.
"Smith," Thalos paused at the doorway, "I'll do everything I can. But you need to let me work."
Hours passed in agonizing slowness. Earlston had been treated by another healer and now lay sedated on a bench. Cecilia sat beside me in silence. Kai paced restlessly, while Rowan leaned against the wall, arms crossed and Maya sat next to him trying not to nod off.
My mind kept replaying the the moment in my head over and over.
I was cutting the ears off of the goblins, we killed all of them I was sure of it. I couldn't sense any other nearby monsters so I let my guard down and Lilia paid because of it.
I Focused harder and made sure they were all dead. Should have been able to warn Lilia. Instead, I didn't sense anything and Lilia was flung across the clearing and all I did was stare at her unconscious body frozen and left everyone else to fight alone.
The sickening crack as her body connected with the tree. Her body crumpling.
"It should have been me," I whispered, staring at my blood-encrusted hands.
Cecilia sighed. "Don't start that, Smith. You couldn't have known—"
"I should have known!" My voice echoed harshly. "I'm supposed to know, its my job as a leader to know, to protect… and I failed!"
"We were all there" Devon said quietly. "None of us saw that big one coming until it was too late."
I shook my head. "And Earlston got beat half dead while I was standing there, useless, looking at Lilia with empty eyes. I failed everyone today."
Kai stopped pacing. "You carried Lilia for five miles without stopping. You got her here faster than any of us could have. If she survives this, it'll be because of you."
"If she survives," I repeated bitterly.
The door to the surgery room finally opened. Master Thalos emerged, his robes spattered with blood, face drawn with exhaustion.
We all stood, frozen in anticipation.
"She's alive," the healer said, and I felt my knees weaken with relief.
Thalos raised a hand, tempering our celebration. "But her condition remains critical. We've stopped the cranial bleeding and set the broken bones. The skull fracture was severe— I used my healing magic to stabilize it."
"Will she recover?" I couldn't finish the question.
The healer's eyes met mine. "I don't know. The next day will be crucial. If she survives until morning, her chances improve."
"What can we do?" Devon asked.
"Nothing, medically. The magic needs time to work, and her body needs rest." He paused. "But presence can help. Someone familiar might give her something to fight for."
"I'll stay with her," I said immediately.
I followed Mira back into the surgery room. The smell hit me first—blood and antiseptic and the acrid scent of healing magic.
Lilia lay still, her face cleaned and head wrapped in white bandages. More bandages bound her torso and right arm. A soft blue sheen covered her exposed skin—residue from the healing enchantments.
"You can sit here," Mira said softly. "Try not to touch the bandages or the blue areas. They're still active."
When she left, I took Lilia's unbandaged hand in mine.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, voice breaking. "I should have been faster. Should have seen the danger."
The silence pressed against me, punctuated only by Lilia's shallow breathing.
"You have to live," I continued. "Not for me. I don't deserve that. But for yourself. For all the things you want to do, all the places you haven't seen yet."
A tear splashed onto our joined hands.
"Remember how you told me about wanting to see the Crystal Falls? How you said the light there turns everything into rainbow colors at midday?" I swallowed hard. "I promise I'll take you there. Just... please fight. Please stay."
Outside, the town settled into night. Inside, I maintained my vigil, speaking softly of memories and promises, of regrets and hopes.
If she dies, I'll never forgive myself. Never.
As midnight approached, Master Thalos returned to check her vital signs.
"Any change?" I asked.
"No change," he replied. "At this stage, that's actually good news."
Through the window, I could see stars emerging from behind clouds. Lilia had once named them all for me, explaining their significance.
"Find your way back," I whispered, squeezing her hand. "I'll be waiting."