Chapter 25: The Curse of the Black Pearl Part 2

Ryuto lay motionless on the shore, his breath shallow, his skin an unnatural, sickly pale. The black veins of the curse had spread across his chest, glowing faintly with dark energy. Every breath he took seemed like a struggle, as though the curse was slowly suffocating him.

"Stay with me, Ryuto," Celeste whispered, her hands trembling as she placed them on his chest, feeling the ominous pulse of the curse beneath her fingertips.

Nina knelt beside her, hands covered in the glowing paste she had mixed from the holy water and herbs. "We don't have much time. We have to start now." For once, her usual playful attitude was gone, replaced by an intense seriousness.

Celeste nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "I'll channel the magic. You handle the physical healing."