Page 12 of Crowned

At some point, Elder Mirra arrives, his expression sombre as he takes in the sight of Bhodi.

“We will fight to protect Aerwyna,” he says quietly, his voice filled with resolve. “But we must also protect each other.”

I nod, appreciating his words even as my heart aches with worry for Bhodi. We’ve been through so much, faced so many challenges, and now this.

It feels like too much, like we’re being tested beyond our limits.

As the night wears on, exhaustion begins to take its toll. My eyes grow heavy, my body aching from the strain of the day’s events. But I can’t leave Bhodi’s side, can’t abandon him in his time of need.

Morning comes slowly, the first rays of sunlight creeping through the windows, casting a soft glow over the room. Bhodi remains unconscious, his condition unchanged. The doctor checks on him again, her expression neutral but not without a hint of hope.

“We just have to wait and see,” she says, her tone gentle but firm. “His body still needs time to fight the poison, to heal. We’ve done all we can for now.”

I nod, understanding but still feeling the weight of helplessness pressing down on me. Waiting is the hardest part, the uncertainty gnawing at my resolve to be patient.

Cove and I take turns resting, one of us always at Bhodi’s side. The hours blur together, a haze of exhaustion and anxiety. Every twitch, every small movement from Bhodi, sends a jolt of hope through me, only to be dashed by the continued stillness.

The Elders visit periodically, offering updates on the situation in Aerwyna, their faces grim but determined. The Shadow Legion’s threat looms large, their attacks relentless, but the people of Aerwyna are resilient, fighting back with everything they have.

“We won’t let them win,” Elder Mirra says during one visit, his voice filled with steely determination. “We will protect our home, no matter the cost.”

I nod, appreciating his resolve, his earlier words now sounding more steadfast, but finding it hard to focus on anything other than Bhodi’s condition. The war outside feels distant, a backdrop to the personal battle we’re waging here – especially when it’s a place I barely remember. A place that no longer feels like home.

After all we’ve been through, all we’ve sacrificed and lost, it’s starting to feel too much. The mission too big, too daunting, too impossible.

I don’t want to lose anyone else.

I don’t want to do this.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Bhodi stirs. His eyelids flutter, and his fingers twitch in my grasp. My heart leaps, hope surging through me. “Bhodi?” I whisper, leaning closer, willing him to wake up.

Slowly, agonisingly slowly, his eyes open, blinking against the harsh light of the room. He looks around, confusion clouding his gaze, before his eyes land on me. “Reef?” he croaks, his voice weak but unmistakable.

“I’m here,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.

Cove is by my side in an instant, his face breaking into a relieved smile. “Welcome back, brother,” he says softly, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Bhodi’s gaze shifts between us, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “What happened?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

“You were wounded,” I explain, my voice gentle but steady. “A blade tipped with Shikari blood. It’s been touch and go, but you’re a fighter, Bhodi. You pulled through.”

He nods slowly, processing this information, his eyes filled with a mixture of relief and lingering fear. “I thought…I thought I was gone,” he admits, his voice trembling.

“You’re here now,” I say firmly, squeezing his hand. “You’re going to be okay, Bhodi. We’re going to take care of you. We’ll get through this together.”

The doctor enters the room, her face lighting up with relief as she sees Bhodi awake. She checks his vitals, her expression professional but pleased. “You’re a fighter, all right,” she says, her tone warm. “You’ve still got a long road ahead, but waking up is a good sign. Your body is fighting the poison.”

Bhodi nods, his eyes heavy with exhaustion, but also with a spark of determination. “I’ll do whatever it takes,” he says quietly, his words punctated by a large yawn. He grimaces. “I’m not giving up.”

Pride swells in my chest at his words, and I feel a renewed sense of hope. We’ve faced so much, endured so many hardships, but we’re still standing. Bhodi is still here, still fighting, and that’s what matters.

The forest I find myself in is unlike any other I have seen before...although there’s something vaguely familiar about it. The trees are twisted and ancient, their roots snaking out of the ground like grasping fingers. The air is thick with the scent of moss and earth, and a feeling of unease settles in the pit of my stomach. As I stumble through the undergrowth, trying to make sense of my surroundings, a voice calls out from somewhere ahead.

“Malia.”

The voice is familiar and welcome, sending a shiver of longing down my spine. I follow the sound, pushing my way through the dense foliage, until I reach a small clearing dappled with sunlight. And there, standing in the centre of the clearing, is Vance.

His expression is a mixture of relief and concern as he looks at me, his gaze flicking quickly over my dishevelled appearance and the bewilderment in my eyes. His body tenses, as though he’s holding himself back from rushing toward me, but the tension in his face gives way to a raw urgency.

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