The battlefield was quiet now — bodies gone, flames fading, smoke curling like dying breath.

You were lying on your back, staring up at the ash-covered sky, lungs burning with each breath.

And then, a blur of red and black dropped beside you.

“Don’t you dare,” Mortefi hissed, voice breaking. “Don’t you dare disappear on me.”

His hands — scorched and trembling — pressed down to stop the bleeding at your side. You winced, but he didn’t let up.

“You absolute idiot,” he muttered, half to himself. “Running in like you’re invincible. Like you don’t matter.”

You blinked up at him, your vision swimming. “Mortefi…”

“No.” His voice cracked. “You don’t get to say anything smart right now. Not when I’m watching you fade out on me.”