Justin groaned softly as his eyes fluttered open, his head throbbing. For a moment, his mind was blank, the pain clouding his thoughts. Then it hit him—he had fallen. The memory of the tree crashing down, the desperate pull to save Zaria, and the sensation of tumbling into the void came flooding back.
He pushed himself up slowly, wincing at the dull ache in his ribs. His hands were scraped, dirt and leaves clinging to his skin. It was then he noticed Zaria lying a few feet away, unmoving. Panic flared in his chest.
“Zaria!” he called hoarsely, scrambling toward her.
Kneeling beside her, Justin quickly assessed her condition. There was no visible blood or any sign of serious injury. Her chest rose and fell steadily—she was breathing. Relief washed over him, but he still felt the urgency
