Lira's warm emerald cellular aura flowed directly into Sagiri's chest, melting the dark cracks along his spiritual arms and shoulders. The gentle green light pulsed in rhythm with her own heartbeat, forcing life back into his fading consciousness.
Sagiri opened his dual-colored eyes, looking up at the circle of familiar faces surrounding him on the shattered glass floor. His hand trembled as he reached out, touching the soft fabric of Lira's sleeve to confirm she was truly there.
"You came into the Archive..." Sagiri whispered, his voice raspy and filled with disbelief. "This place is a collapsing void. You could have been trapped forever."
"And let you die alone in the dark?" Lira replied, wiping fresh tears from her pale cheeks with a trembling smile. "We made a promise in the northern snow, Sagiri. Wherever you go, Squad 25 goes."
