Meanwhile, just as Arix was teetering on the brink of death, the Moon's Blessing—the sapphire necklace she always wore—erupted in a brilliant light. A surge of power exploded from the gem, enveloping her in its protective embrace.
This sapphire energy wasn't just a shield; it waged a fierce battle against another force—a sinister white energy trying to snuff out Arix's life.
As the struggle continued, both forces began to weaken, but the sapphire's power ultimately won out, swallowing the white energy whole.
However, this victory came at a cost. The Moon's Blessing, once vibrant and full of life, dimmed, its brilliant blue fading until it was nothing more than a dull, transparent stone.
With the gem's transformation, Arix's ragged breathing slowly steadied, returning to a normal rhythm.
Far away in the Empire, at the exact moment the sapphire lost its glow, Cassian, who had been resting peacefully, suddenly snapped awake.