Theodore tried to push himself up with his right arm.
His left hand wouldn't close. The skin across the palm was gone entirely, the raw flesh underneath still smoking faintly at the edges, and every time he shifted his weight the whole arm shook. His vision kept tunneling at the corners and coming back.
A healer crouched beside him, hands already glowing faint green. "Can you continue?"
Across the platform, Auros stepped forward without being called. Calm. Unhurried. He stopped at the edge of the stone and looked at Theodore, waiting, like the answer didn't matter to him either way.
Theodore looked at his ruined hand. At the healer. He set his jaw and started to nod.
A hand landed on his shoulder from behind.
Kreasial crouched next to him, grinning despite everything. "I got this one." She nodded at the healer. "He's done his part. Let him sit this out."
Theodore looked at her. Then back at the healer.
"You're certain?" the healer asked Kreasial.
