Slowly.
Almost afraid.
As if she already knew.
As if she hoped reality would somehow prove her wrong.
Kai stopped in front of her.
The woman looked down.
At the small body in his arms.
At the cape covering her daughter.
Her knees gave out.
A broken sound escaped her throat.
Not a scream.
Not a cry.
Something worse.
The sound of a heart shattering.
Kai carefully lowered Lily into her mother's arms.
The woman hugged her daughter tightly.
As though warmth might somehow return.
As though refusing to let go could change reality.
Around them, villagers quietly lowered their heads.
Several began crying.
Others stared into the darkness beyond the trees.
Fear replacing grief.
Because if it happened once—
It could happen again.
---
Lee eventually stepped forward.
He already understood.
For several moments he said nothing.
Then he noticed the blood.
A lot of blood.
Kai's blood.
The front of his clothes was soaked red.
Fresh wounds covered his arms and chest.
The villagers noticed too.
Concern quickly spread through the crowd.
"What happened to him?"
"He's hurt!"
"Get a healer!"
Kai swayed slightly.
Only now did he realize how exhausted he was.
The adrenaline keeping him standing had finally begun fading.
Lee immediately grabbed his shoulder.
"Let's get you inside."
"I'm fine."
"You look half dead."
Kai opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Fair point.
---
The next few days passed in a blur.