Taming the void

aftermath, clinging to their clothes and skin like a persistent reminder of the chaos that had just unfolded. Finn didn't move at first. He

eakened shell. But the victory felt hollow. Bella's hand was still limp in his, and her breathing was shallow. The Void Sha

he hadn't said a word since the blast. Her eyes were half-lidded, unfocused

e with concern. "She's alive, Finn, but

practiced eyes. "The queen's not dead yet. If we don't lea

ey couldn't stay here. Not with the queen still breathing, not with Bella in this state. He hel

had nearly consumed Bella, and though they had defeated the queen, it wasn't a guarantee that the threat was over. The Stryn

glancing over his shoulder at the grow

eathing, but her pulse was weak, and her skin had a sickly pallor to it. The Void Shard had d

murmured, his voice b

I can," she replied weakly,

his chest. "You can. Yo

d again, and Finn feared she might slip into unc

nnels twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the heart of the Strynx nest. Every step

opened to the outside world. The light of the twin suns greeted them, but it was a cold, unfo

face drawn with worry. "We need to stabilize her, Finn

He knew they were running out of time. Bella wasn't just injured physically. The Shard had t

grim. "We need to find shelter. If the quee

t Bella right now," Finn

e stay here, the higher the chances of a Strynx pack find

d that Tramez was right. But he

pe. "There's a cave system not far from here. It's been a

dn't wait for any more conversation, lifting Bella gently in h

tep felt like it was draining him more than the last. But he couldn't

unless you knew exactly where to look. As they entered, the cool, dry air greeted them, and Finn coul

cal supplies from her pack and working quickly to stabilize Bella.

of what to do. Her breathing was still shallow, but she w

out of the woods?" Finn asked,

ed a gel to Bella's wounds. "It's hard to say. The Shard... it's taken a

o believe that Bella would pull through. But the truth was, he didn't know if she would

the queen," Chloe continued, her v

ueen was going to kill us, and Bella had the Shard. She had to

he Shard can be a powerful tool, but it's a double-edged sword. It's not something t

sank. "What d

e can only hope she regains contro

terrupted, his voice hard. He wasn'