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But my vision blurred, the pain in my back intensifying.
The world around me started to fade, the vibrant greens and blues of the alien jungle merging into a dull gray.
As black spots danced in my vision, Aurora screamed with anguish. “No… Jayas!”
It was the worst sound in the world.
The pain was intense, but distant, as if I was floating.
I felt warmth, a comforting sensation wrapping around me.
Slowly, my vision began to return, the world coming into focus.
Aurora stood over me, her face etched with concern.
My head rested on her lap, and she was caressing my face, her fingers trembling.
“Jayas?” she whispered, her voice shaky.
I tried to speak, to reassure her, but the words wouldn’t come out.
The realization hit me — I was dying.
Aurora’s eyes brimmed with tears. “I can’t lose you, Jayas. Not after everything we’ve been through.”
I reached up, touching her face, feeling the warmth of her skin.
Despite the pain, a contented smile formed on my lips. “Run, Aurora. You must run.”
She sobbed, holding me tight. “I… I can’t… I…”
I gripped her tighter. “I’ll see you after the reset. Go. Commit suicide. It’s the only… the only… way…”
As the life drained from my body, I took comfort in the knowledge that at least Aurora knew what to do.
It was a small consolation.
* * *
An explosion of sensations rattled me awake.
I gasped, the cold embrace of my pod striking me first.
I was back.
No countdown.
That was the first thing that struck me.
But of course there was no countdown — it only began when Aurora reset.
My mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of memory that whirled around my thoughts.
Aurora.
The fight.
My injury.
