Nova, Liam, and Lyra exchanged concerned glances, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Nova knelt beside Astrid and Xavier, her hands hovering over his wounds as she assessed the damage. "He's been through a lot," she said, her voice a mix of urgency and tenderness. Lyra nodded, her voice steady despite the chaos. "I'll gather some herbs. They'll help with the healing," she replied, quickly moving to the forest's edge. The foliage whispered around her as she searched, the sounds of the night amplifying her anxiety. Selene, her eyes filled with determination, addressed the group. "Time is of the essence. We must move swiftly before Dante and Kellan realize Xavier has led us to Kira." Astrid knelt beside Xavier, her hands trembling as she channeled her healing powers into him. A soft

