Kyle nodded. "Yes… it's over."
Michael exhaled slowly, looking down at his body.
"Ah… all my injuries… they're gone?"
Kyle said, "The healers restored you. Your body's stable."
Michael's brow furrowed. "No… there's something deeper. Some internal damage. There was a hole… in my stomach. I… I don't even know what to say."
Kyle's expression tightened. "Then tell us. What happened?"
Michael's eyes darkened. He placed a hand over his face, voice low.
"I fought that demon… that one. He was too strong. I couldn't win. I matched him… power for power… and yet… it wasn't enough. I felt… utterly helpless."
He lowered his arm, revealing the strain and fatigue etched into his features.
Kyle and Cherry remained silent, watching, the weight of Michael's words settling like a storm in the room.
"What were you even fighting?" Cherry asked, her voice sharp.
Michael exhaled slowly.
"All I know is… I was about to lose my life."
His eyes darkened.
