Between Life and Loss
War was simple.
You fight.
You win.
Or you die.
But this?
This was different.
This…
Damian couldn't control.
Elara's grip tightened around his shirt.
Her breathing uneven.
Pain flashing across her face again.
"Damian…"
Her voice trembled.
"I don't think this is normal…"
That sentence alone—
Was enough to shake him.
"Get the car ready!" Damian snapped.
His voice sharp.
Commanding.
But beneath it—
Fear.
Real fear.
Lucas didn't hesitate.
"I'll call the doctor ahead," he said, already moving.
Damian turned back to Elara.
His hands steadier than he felt.
"I've got you," he said quietly.
Then—
He lifted her into his arms.
Careful.
Protective.
Like she was everything.
Because she was.
The drive felt endless.
Even with the speed.
Even with the chaos behind them.
Elara winced again.
A soft cry escaping her lips.
Damian's grip tightened slightly.
"Stay with me," he murmured.
"I'm right here."
Her hand found his.
Clutching tightly.
"I'm scared…"
That again.
Those words again.
And Damian…
He hated it.
Hated that he couldn't fight this.
Hated that he couldn't take the pain away.
"You're strong," he said.
But his voice wasn't steady this time.
"You're stronger than this."
Elara shook her head slightly.
Tears slipping down her cheeks.
"I don't want anything to happen to our baby…"
Silence.
Heavy.
Damian leaned closer.
Resting his forehead against hers.
"Nothing will happen," he said.
Not a guess.
A promise.
Even if he had to break the world to make it true.
The hospital doors burst open.
Doctors rushed forward immediately.
"She's in pain," Damian said sharply.
"Check her now."
No hesitation.
No delay.
Because even without knowing who he was—
They could see it.
This wasn't a man to ignore.
Elara was taken from his arms.
Placed on a stretcher.
Rolled away quickly.
Her hand slipped from his.
And just like that—
He was left standing there.
Alone.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
Time felt different.
Slower.
Heavier.
Lucas stood nearby.
Silent for once.
Because even he knew—
This wasn't a moment for words.
Damian paced.
Back and forth.
His jaw tight.
His hands clenched.
Because for the first time—
He couldn't do anything.
A doctor finally stepped out.
Damian was in front of him instantly.
"What's happening?"
The doctor hesitated slightly.
"She's going into early labor."
Those words hit hard.
"Is she okay?"
A pause.
"We're trying to stabilize both mother and child."
Trying.
That word alone—
Was dangerous.
Damian's eyes darkened instantly.
"Don't try," he said coldly.
"Do it."
The doctor swallowed.
Nodded quickly.
Then rushed back inside.
Silence returned.
But it wasn't calm.
It was suffocating.
Damian leaned against the wall slowly.
His head dropping slightly.
Eyes closing.
Because this—
This was something he couldn't control.
And that terrified him more than any enemy ever could.
Inside the room—
Elara cried out in pain.
Her body trembling.
Doctors surrounding her.
Voices overlapping.
Instructions.
Urgency.
"Stay with us," one of them said.
"Breathe."
Outside—
Damian stood still.
Listening.
Hearing every sound.
Every cry.
Every second stretching longer than the last.
Because right now—
The Devil wasn't fighting.
He wasn't hunting.
He wasn't destroying.
He was waiting.
Hoping.
Praying for something he couldn't force.
And that…
Was the hardest battle of all.