If I'm Dying, You're Dying Too

Ezra stumbled away from Stephanie, each step heavy with the weight of his failing vitality. Valaren, sensing the trouble, flared awake inside him. Yet, unlike before, the dragon stayed quiet, not interfering, perhaps aware that his usual raging would only worsen Ezra's condition.

Thank the Lord for small mercies.

Behind him, Stephanie followed, her laughter ringing out, cold and mocking. "Where do you think you're going, Ezra?" she crossed her arms. "You can't escape this."

Fuck. Ezra pushed forward, his mind racing for a way out. His vision blurred, and his steps faltered, but he kept moving. I have to survive this. There has to be a way to counter the poison in my body. There fucking has to.