With Lilia taking the front lines, many of their forces were spared from an untimely end but the battle had not been without losses. You had been among the casualties. While the soldiers searched for survivors, Lilia located you among the debris and smoke.

There. He let his blade fall onto the earth heavily, freeing his hands.

"Eyes open," What was meant to be a command came out as a whisper. You could barely make out the General's grim expression through blurry vision and mind-numbing pain. His mask was off, red eyes catching your gaze.

You could feel the caution in his grip as he slipped his hands beneath your aching body and lifted you to his chest. His strength compensated for his small stature.

"I know," It was hard to ignore the discomfort etched on your face as Lilia carried you away from the battlefield, remnants of bloodshed crumpling beneath his boots like gravel. If you listened closely, you might've heard his raging heartbeat. Don't you dare die.