A dim purple afterglow lingered on the floorboards, slowly fading. Zane lay slumped beside Luca, his breathing shallow but steady. Sera knelt beside him, gently brushing strands of dark hair away from his face.
Lyra cradled her brother, whispering his name through trembling lips. "Luca... it's okay. You're going to be okay..."
Then—Luca stirred. His eyes fluttered open, the usual pale blue now more vibrant, clearer. The veins of black under his skin had vanished. The curse... was gone.
Sera let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Zane did it..."
Lyra held Luca tighter, tears spilling freely. "You idiot," she whispered to him, half-laughing, half-crying. "You big idiot..."
Zane groaned softly, his eyes cracking open.
Nyx's voice echoed weakly in his head.
"You're reckless. Stupidly so. But... well done."
Sera helped him sit up. "You look like you got hit by a mountain."
"Felt like it too..." Zane muttered.
Lyra bowed deeply, both hands pressed together. "I—I don't know how to thank you. You saved his life."
Zane gave a faint smile. "I told you. It was nothing."
But everyone in the room knew that wasn't true.
They stayed at Lyra's small home for the night. Sera used what little magic she had left to prepare a warm meal, while Zane leaned against a wall, recovering his strength. Luca was asleep again, peaceful this time.
Sera sat beside Zane. "You scared me back there."
Zane looked up. "Would've been worse if I hadn't done anything."
She sighed, then smirked. "Still. You're lucky your shadow prince act is kind of cool."
Then Lyra approached, her eyes determined.
"I know I don't have much. But I want to repay you, somehow. Anything you need, ever—say the word."
Zane raised a brow. "You've got a family to protect. That's more than enough."
"No," she said firmly. "I mean it. I'll get stronger. I'll find a way to be useful too."
As she spoke, something shimmered faintly above her palm—a flicker of wind magic, unstable but real.
[Lyra – Power Tier: Novice | Element: Wind]
Zane's system briefly flickered that info in the corner of his vision.
He grinned. "Then I guess we'll be seeing more of you."