{ Mia }
A deep breath filled my lungs as my eyes flew open. The light of the cave pulsed gently around me, the water beneath me bubbling with energy.
But something was different.
I felt lighter, as if the exhaustion that had weighed me down before had vanished. My body no longer hurt, my vision was sharper, and the energy inside me, Ash's energy, was no longer just a little voice in my head. It was alive.
"Mia…" Ash whispered.
A shiver ran down my spine as Ash's voice purred through my mind.
"You're stronger now. But strength comes with a price."
Before I could question her further, the water around me moved. Strong hands grabbed my arms, steady but urgent.
"Mia!"
Ace's voice cut through the calmness. His eyes, that were usually filled with mischief, were now sharp, with concern as he tugged me toward him.
"You alright, cupcake?" he asked, his voice strained.
I blinked up at him. I expected to feel weak, drained, but I didn't. Instead, my body burned with energy, like the cave had filled every broken part of me and stitched me back together.
"I think so," I whispered, chuckling.
Ace didn't look convinced. His hands lingered on my arms, his grip getting tighter. "You scared the hell outta me," he muttered, glancing toward the glowing pool. "What was that?"
I didn't have an answer. I didn't even know where to start.
"We should get back to camp," I said my voice hoarse. "Cole—"
Ace tensed.
"Yeah," he said, his voice tight. "He's still out cold."
~ Back at camp ~
The small fire I had lit earlier had burned low, casting only faint flickers of light across the ground. The jungle loomed dark and silent. Far away, the ocean waves hitting widely against the shore.
Cole lay motionless near the fire, his breathing steady but too shallow for comfort.
Ace crouched beside him, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Still nothing," he muttered. "It's been days!!"
I rolled my eyes ." You've been out for days too." I teased, but deep down I too was concerned.
Gently,I knelt next to them, my fingers hovering just above Cole's arm. The bruises along his ribs were deep, the cuts on his face stark against his pale skin. He looked fragile too fragile.
An ache formed in my chest.
' I don't want to be useless...'
' I can't just sit here.' I thought.
My hands moved on instinct, pressing lightly against Cole's shoulder. The golden energy inside me stirred again, a flicker of warmth trailing down my fingertips.
What if…
I exhaled slowly and let the energy flow.
A soft glow pulsed from my hands, wrapping around Cole's injuries like golden threads. The bruises faded. The cuts sealed. His breathing deepened, steadied.
Ace sucked in a sharp breath beside me. "Mia—"
I pulled my hands back, my breathing ragged. My skin still tingled from the energy, but I felt no pain, just power.
Then, Cole let out a slow, quiet groan.
Ace's eyes widened. "No way."
Cole's eyelids fluttered, his head shifting slightly. His fingers twitched against the sand.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
"It worked ! " I muttered excitedly under my breath.
But as I stared down at my glowing hands, the weight of it settled in.
I had healed him.
I didn't know how.
And I didn't know what it meant.