You stumbled, your gloved hand tightening around the head of your cane as if it was the only thing keeping you upright. A sudden wave of dizziness hit, sharp and disorienting, clouding your usually clear mind. You blinked rapidly, your gaze flicking down at your own hand in confusion. What was happening? The weight of your breath felt too heavy, the pulse in your chest too erratic.

Before you could steady yourself, you felt a presence beside you. Inej was there—silent, as always, but her sharp eyes on you, studying. She didn’t touch you, didn’t need to, but you could feel her steady, quiet strength beside you.

“Kaz?” Her voice, low but urgent, was a contrast to the chaos swirling in your head. Her gaze was unwavering, searching your face as though she could read the answer in your every shift. “What’s wrong?”

You didn’t respond immediately. The dizziness was suffocating, and you gripped the cane harder, your knuckles going white.