Kael stood before his friends, eyes downcast, holding the vial of pills in his hand. He had made a decision. There was no going back.
"I have to leave," Kael said softly, his voice weighed down with a heavy resolve. "I can't stay here anymore. This power... it's dangerous. I don't want any more of you to get hurt because of me."
His friends were stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief.
"What are you talking about?" Ryuu asked, stepping forward. "Kael, we're a team! You can't just leave us."
But Kael shook his head, his gaze firm and distant. "I'm already too far gone. This power... it'll attract enemies. You've all seen what happened when I lost control. I can't let that happen again."
Eri's face crumpled as she took a step forward, voice breaking. "You're not going anywhere, Kael. We're your family, your friends. We fight together."
But Kael was unmoved, his mind set. "I've already made up my mind. I have to go."
And just like that, he turned and walked away, heading for the academy gates. His steps were heavy, and though they all wanted to stop him, none of them could.
Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Hana and Tetsu were both lying unconscious, the poison that had killed them slowly beginning to fade. Their bodies were bruised, their faces pale, but with the medicine Kael had fought for, they slowly came back to life.
Eri sat by their sides, her hands trembling as she wiped away tears, relieved beyond measure.
"You're both alive..." Eri whispered, barely able to contain her emotions.
Hana stirred first, her eyes blinking slowly as she regained consciousness. "W-What happened...?" she murmured, confused.
"You were dead," Eri said, her voice cracking with emotion. "You both were dead. But Kael... he fought for you. He fought through fifteen beasts and their boss just to bring you back."
Tetsu's eyes fluttered open next, his expression a mix of confusion and exhaustion. "Did... Did we really die?"
Eri nodded, wiping away another tear. "Yes. But Kael... he never gave up. He went through hell to save you both."
Hana and Tetsu exchanged a glance, both still trying to wrap their heads around the situation.
"But where's Kael?" Tetsu asked, his voice filled with concern.
Eri's expression fell, her eyes filling with unshed tears. "He left. He didn't want to put anyone in danger anymore. He said it was because of his power... that he couldn't stay. That he couldn't risk anyone getting hurt because of him."
Tetsu and Hana both looked devastated, understanding why Kael had made the decision, but still feeling the weight of his departure.
"How could he leave after everything?" Tetsu muttered, clenching his fists. "He did all that for us... and then he just leaves?"
Eri looked down, her voice trembling. "He said... he didn't want anyone else to die for him. He couldn't risk us getting hurt because of his power. He said it was safer for everyone if he stayed away."
Tetsu and Hana shared a quiet moment, both of them struggling to accept the fact that Kael, after all he had done, had decided to leave without even seeing them awake.
"Next time..." Eri said, her voice cracking as she wiped her tears. "Before you do something like that, Tetsu... at least take me out for dinner first. You owe me that much."
Tetsu blinked and then flushed, a small, shy smile appearing. "Whatever you want, Eri. I promise."
But the weight of the situation hung heavy in the room. Despite the joy of their resurrection, the absence of Kael lingered. He had saved them, and now he was gone—leaving behind only questions.