(Opening Scene: Zane's consciousness slowly returns. He is lying on a soft surface, a sterile white ceiling the first thing he perceives. A gentle warmth envelops his right hand.)
Zane's eyelids felt heavy, as if glued shut. He blinked slowly, his vision gradually focusing on the stark white ceiling above him – the familiar sight of the academy infirmary. A dull ache throbbed behind his eyes, and his body felt leaden, completely drained.
As his senses sharpened, he became aware of a gentle pressure on his left hand. It was a comforting warmth, soft and familiar. He turned his head slowly, a slight groan escaping his lips, and saw Astrid lying beside him in the adjacent bed, her hand resting within his.
A wave of relief washed over him, quickly followed by a surge of concern. He squeezed her hand gently. Her eyelids fluttered, and her own eyes slowly opened, her gaze meeting his with a soft, weary recognition.
A faint smile touched her lips. "Zane…" she whispered, her voice raspy.
He squeezed her hand again, a silent acknowledgment of their shared ordeal. The memory of the Black Crown, Eclipse's strange command, the overwhelming surge of their combined power, and the subsequent void of unconsciousness flooded back to him.
He tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness forced him back against the pillows. Astrid mirrored his movement, a similar wave of weakness evident in her expression.
The familiar sterile scent of the infirmary filled his nostrils, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy of Headmaster Theron's office. He wondered how long they had been unconscious and what had transpired in their absence.