Kaito's eyes fluttered open.
At first, the world was a blur of light and shadow, punctuated by the steady beep of medics' crystals and the low hum of enchantments keeping him alive. His chest felt like it had been crushed under an impossible weight, ribs aching with every shallow breath.
He tried to move. Pain shot through his arms, legs, and side. His hand twitched, fingers brushing against something warm.
Dex's fur pressed against him. The husky whined softly, nudging his shoulder, staying close. Kaito's eyes followed the familiar blue gaze, and for the first time, a spark of awareness truly returned.
"Hey…" he whispered, voice rough and hoarse. It wasn't more than a rasp, but it was enough.
Aria appeared almost immediately, eyes wide and red-rimmed from exhaustion. She leaned over his bed, pressing her hand gently against his arm. "Kaito… you're awake. You're okay. You're really okay," she said, voice trembling.
"I… I'm…" Kaito struggled, swallowing against the pain in his throat. He tried to sit up. Dex barked softly, nudging him back against the pillows.
"Slowly," Aria said firmly, her hands steady now. "You can't move too fast."
He blinked, taking in the room. The other injured were on adjacent beds, bandages and bruises covering them, breathing heavily but alive. The medics were moving quietly now, cleaning wounds and monitoring vitals.
Kaito tried to speak again. "Everyone… okay?" His voice cracked.
Aria nodded. "They're stabilizing. Thanks to you… you kept them alive."
A faint blue glow lingered around his eyes. It wasn't the violent aura of before—it was small, contained, barely perceptible—but it reminded him of what had been unleashed in the courtyard.
Dex curled closer to him. Kaito reached out slowly, hand brushing the husky's fur. The simple contact anchored him. One more breath, one more moment, and he could feel the tide turning.
"I… I almost—" Kaito's voice caught again, but he swallowed, forcing it down. "I can't… I can't fail again."
"You won't," Aria said firmly. "Not now. Not ever."
For the first time, Kaito let himself relax, just slightly. Pain still existed, fear still lingered, but the overwhelming edge of death had passed. He could feel strength returning, tiny but insistent, like the first flickers of dawn piercing a long, dark night.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, resting against the pillows.
Dex's warmth, Aria's steady presence, the muted hum of the medics' crystals—it all reminded him of one undeniable truth: he wasn't alone.
And he would rise.
Not tomorrow. Not in an hour. But soon.
And when he did, he would make sure no one would ever come this close again.