The ground trembled beneath them, and the distant sound of collapsing tunnels continued to echo through the air. The hive was still in chaos, the wasps scattered and disoriented, but Caelum knew they couldn’t stay here much longer. His body ached with exhaustion, his mind barely functioning through the haze of pain, but they needed to move. If they stayed here any longer, the collapsing hive might bury them both.

  We have to go… he thought, though even the idea of moving felt impossible.

  Aurelia shifted beside him, her body trembling as she fought through the same exhaustion. Her HP was dangerously low, her MP almost completely drained, and her Poisoned status still lingered in the back of her mind. She turned to Caelum, her eyes filled with determination despite her weakness.

  We need to move, she sent through the telepathic link, her voice steady despite the exhaustion. But we’re not going to make it like this…

  Caelum’s heart sank as he realized how dire their situation was. Both of them were on the verge of collapse, their bodies barely able to function after the battle with the Queen. They needed to recover, but there was no time for rest. The hive was falling apart, and they were still dangerously close to the collapsing tunnels.

  But then, a thought flickered in Caelum’s mind—Light Magic.

  He had barely any MP left, his reserves almost completely drained, but he could feel the faint flicker of his Light Magic still present within him. It wasn’t much, but it might be enough to help them hold on just a little longer. Just enough to get them home.

  I can heal us, Caelum sent, though even as he thought it, he wasn’t sure if he had enough strength to pull it off.

  Aurelia gave him a tired nod, her eyes filled with trust. Do it. We just need enough to make it back.

  With a deep breath, Caelum closed his eyes, summoning the last remnants of his MP. His hands trembled as he focused, the faint glow of Light Magic flickering to life around him. The warm, healing energy spread through his hands, weak at first but slowly growing stronger as he directed it toward Aurelia.

  The light washed over her, the soft glow easing the tension in her muscles, soothing the pain from the battle. Aurelia let out a soft sigh as the magic worked its way through her body, her HP rising slightly, though her exhaustion remained. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to take the edge off. Enough to keep them moving.

  Thank you, Aurelia sent through the link, her voice filled with relief.

  Caelum didn’t stop there. He turned the magic on himself, the warm light flowing through his own body, easing the pain from his injuries. His HP ticked up slowly, his body feeling a little lighter as the healing magic took effect. His mind cleared just enough to focus on what they needed to do next.

  Stolen story; please report.

  [Appraisal Activated]

  Name: Caelum

  HP: 12/45

  MP: 0/80

  Stamina: 5/50

  Status Effects: Severely Exhausted, Lightly Poisoned, Healing Active

  The healing spell had drained the last of his MP, but it had worked. Caelum’s HP had risen, and though he still felt weak, the pain was more manageable now. Aurelia’s condition had improved slightly as well, her breathing steadier, her legs more stable beneath her.

  It’s not much, Caelum sent, his voice strained, but it’ll get us home.

  Aurelia nodded, her eyes focused. Let’s go.

  They stood on shaky legs, their bodies still weak from the battle, but their resolve unbroken. The hive continued to collapse behind them, the sounds of crumbling tunnels growing fainter as the scattered wasps fled the area. The confusion and chaos had kept them hidden for now, but they knew they couldn’t linger any longer.

  Step by step, they began the slow crawl back home.

  The ground beneath them was uneven, the path back treacherous, but they pressed on. Every movement felt like a struggle, their bodies screaming with exhaustion, but they refused to give up. The fresh air was a small comfort, a reminder that they had made it out of the hive alive, but the journey was far from over.

  Caelum’s legs trembled with every step, his stamina nearly gone, but he kept moving. He had to. They had made it this far—he wasn’t going to let them fall now. Beside him, Aurelia’s movements were slow and labored, her legs shaking with each step, but she never faltered. Her eyes were fixed on the path ahead, her mind focused on one goal: getting home.

  The journey seemed endless, the weight of their exhaustion pressing down on them with every step. Time blurred as they stumbled forward, the world around them growing darker as the sun began to set. The collapsing hive was far behind them now, but the tension still hung in the air, the fear that something might go wrong at any moment gnawing at the edges of their thoughts.

  But they kept moving.

  With each step, the familiar surroundings of home came closer. The trees around them grew thicker, the path more familiar. Caelum’s heart pounded in his chest as he realized they were almost there—just a little further and they would be safe.

  Finally, after what felt like hours of crawling through the wilderness, the entrance to their home appeared before them.

  Aurelia collapsed first, her legs giving out as they reached the entrance. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her body trembling from exhaustion, but there was a faint smile on her face.

  We made it, she sent through the link, her voice filled with relief.

  Caelum stumbled beside her, his body giving out as he collapsed onto the ground next to her. His chest heaved with effort, every muscle in his body screaming for rest. But they had done it. They were home.

  We made it… he sent back, his voice weak but triumphant.

  For a moment, neither of them moved, their bodies too exhausted to do anything but breathe. The weight of the battle, the chaos of the hive’s collapse, and the long journey back had taken everything from them, but they had survived. They were alive. Together.

  As the darkness of night settled around them, Caelum’s vision began to blur, the exhaustion pulling him toward unconsciousness. He could feel Aurelia beside him, her presence steady and comforting.

  They had made it.

  And now, they could finally rest.

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