His body felt unfamiliar and heavy, as if gravity had grown stronger while he slept. Every breath scraped against his lungs and his arms felt heavy as lead. Kael tried to sit up fully, but a sharp pain shot through his chest, forcing him to clutch the sheets. His throat was dry and his lips were cracked.

  The room smelled faintly of herbs. Lia’s work, he guessed. A few vials stood on the windowsill, their contents glowing softly in the moonlight. Someone had watched over him.

  “You’re finally awake? Took you long enough,” a familiar voice teased from his right.

  Kael turned his head and saw Zaros sitting casually in a chair, watching him with a mixture of relief and amusement.

  "How long was I out?" Kael asked, his voice rough.

  "Three days," Zaros replied. "When we heard your trial had ended, we rushed to see if you made it. You should’ve seen our faces when you weren’t among those who passed.” He laughed briefly, but the sound faded quickly.

  His expression shifted, the humor draining away. "We asked if you had failed, but they told us you had passed. The thing is..." He leaned forward, his gaze sharpening. "They also said that your body was in such a critical state that it’s a miracle the so-called security mechanism didn’t activate. Whatever that means.”

  Zaros fixed his eyes on Kael, his face solemn." What happened in there? How did you get so badly injured that almost all of your organs collapsed?”

  Kael felt Zaros's questioning gaze lingering on his face. He let out a quiet sigh and began to recount what had happened during the trial. His voice was calm and steady, but his thoughts were conflicted.

  He left out the crucial parts, of course: his use of the ability, his growing bond with Astra, and, above all, his visions of his possible future.

  I wish I could tell them everything, he thought bitterly. But I can’t. If I involve them, that vision might become reality. I don’t believe in fate, but I know one thing for sure: Zaros and Lia are better off without me.

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  His expression remained composed as he continued his story, though a quiet sadness lingered in his eyes.

  Zaros listened without interrupting, but when Kael finished, his brow furrowed deeply.

  “You expect me to believe you got those injuries from a trap?” He asked, stepping closer. “I saw the others who were injured. They had burns, cuts, and broken bones, but no one had the kind of internal damage you have. Your body was wrecked, Kael.”

  He placed a firm hand on Kael’s shoulder, his gaze unwavering.

  “Look,” Zaros continued, his voice more serious than usual, “I may not be as clever as you or Lia, but I know injuries. Yours looks like something you did to yourself. Something your body couldn’t handle. So, tell me...what are you hiding from us?"

  As Zaros's questioning eyes bore into him, Kael felt a familiar pang in his chest. He hated lying to the one person who had always supported him. But some truths were heavier than any friendship could bear. "I don't know what you mean," he forced out, the words tasting bitter on his tongue.

  "Hah," Zaros sighed, clearly flustered. "You know you can trust us, right? When we heard you were in the infirmary, we came here immediately. When Lia saw your battered body, she broke into tears and promised she would develop a strong enough potion to heal you completely. I stayed here the whole time to make sure nothing happened to you.”

  "I know," Kael whispered, his voice trembling as tears began to well up in his eyes.

  Zaros froze, taken aback by Kael’s sudden emotion. He had expected excuses or deflection, but not this. In that moment, he understood that whatever Kael was hiding was significant.

  "I'm sorry I came at you so harshly," Zaros said quietly after a pause. "You’ve been out for three days. You need to rest.”

  Kael wiped the tears from his cheeks and slowly shook his head.

  "No, you're right," he said, meeting Zaros's gaze. "I would tell you if it weren't so dangerous."

  Zaros's expression softened, and a rare gentleness entered his voice. "Enough. I get it. But you should rest. We’ll talk again when you’re ready.”

  He walked to the door and opened it. Just before stepping out, he glanced over his shoulder.

  “But I’m glad you’re awake.”

  After Zaros left, silence filled the room. Kael stared at the ceiling, his thoughts swirling like an unquiet storm. Guilt for hiding the truth, the weight of his ability, and an unease about Astra grew inside him. He wondered if Astra was walking beside him or leading him somewhere he couldn’t see. Eventually, the noise in his mind faded, and sleep claimed him once more.