~DANIEL~

My feet landed on the floor mid-run, almost tripping from the rough landing, but recovering as I ran towards Mako – her body still on the ground a pool of red beneath her. No, No, No.

Azriel’s power burst through me as we reached her side, dropping down to our knees; our eyes landed on the open wound in her chest. I was ready to heal it, when my eyes widened, my sense picked up the absence of a heartbeat. NO!

“Daniel! Is she okay?” Eli yelled, her footsteps approached.

I didn’t answer, my hands pressed against her chest as I started compressions, my power began to pool in my hands as I readied myself to jolt her heart if my attempts failed.

“C’mon Mako. Breathe!” I begged as I pressed, praying to the gods to save her.

I wanted so badly to lash out, to be pissed at whoever had done this to her, but there was no time for that. I needed to remain calm. Needed to fix my princess, so I could tell her how much I loved her.

“No. Makoto...Midnight. Don’t die, wake up!” Eli cried, falling in front of her as her hands held her head, while I continued. My eyes noticed the bracelet still on her wrist, letting out another curse. No fucking wonder. She couldn’t protect herself cause of that stupid piece of magic restraining protection crap.

“Eli, slow the poison! It’s too close to her heart. This will all be for nothing if you can’t stop it,” I ordered, noticing the green sludge flowing in her blood.

I already could tell her legs were the most affected, the blood flow stalled by the poison. Unless we got her to Winterlya in time, she’d be paralyzed from the waist down. But that was the least of my concern; she needed to breathe before I worried about such consequences.

“Got it!” Eli placed her hands-on Makoto’s shoulders – a bright, pink light emitted from her hands. She removed her hands, a set of freshly pink markings remained on Mako’s shoulder blades.

“It will still the poison for as long as I command it. I need to stay in my fairy form or it’ll restart. We need Winterlya. She can remove the poison without having lingering effects. But it needs to be soon. I can’t hold onto this form for much longer,” Eli confessed.

I could already see the beads of sweat on her face; her shoulders moved with her deep inhales and exhales.

“KAI. Makoto isn’t breathing. Tell Winterlya and Karen they need to prepare to treat Nephilim poisoning. I need you here ASAP. If I restart her heart she needs medical attention. Eli’s slowing down the progression of the poison.”

“Where are you?” Ryder demanded as Kai and Marcus entered our bond.

“Mountain side of the exam. Eli remove your hands, I need to shock her,” I ordered, pulling out of the knight communication so I could focus. I sent a powerful jolt of my energy within her; the spark surrounded her heart, but it didn’t beat. “Dammit, again.” I cursed as I sent another jolt.

No Mako. Breathe! I didn’t tell you yet. I didn’t tell you how much I love you. Dammit, baby, don’t leave me. I’m sorry, I beg you Starlight, bring her back. Don’t take her from me. I can’t lose another person I care about. I won’t forgive myself if she dies. Please, I need my light. I need Makoto.

I could feel my back burn, as I began to half shift, my large white wings escaped my back and spread out. The power continued to flow through me, not stopping at just my wings. My hair became longer and glowed an ashy light blonde. I felt stronger, more rejuvenated than ever as I started another round of compressions.

“Let me take over Daniel. I’ll save her I swear it,” Azriel vowed. I took one last look at Makoto; her lips turned purple as her complexion became as pale as a ghost.

Please Starlight, don’t take her away.

~AZRIEL~

I continued the compressions, my energy pooled into my hands as I readied myself. If I couldn’t restart her heart, I’d cast a spell. I knew it would be hard on her body, potentially sending her into another coma...but, she’d be alive. I could work with that. As long as her soul was within her body, I wouldn’t rest till I got to see those turquoise eyes and hear her voice. Until I knew that the Princess and Hope were okay, I wouldn’t give up.

I sent another jolt – the high electric current failed a third time. I took a deep breath; my eyes looked up to see EliaseAnne’s pain stricken, pale face as she sat there trembling.

She looked at me, the tears pooled in her emerald eyes, gliding down her flushed cheeks, her trembling lips opened.

“Azriel...please, save them. I beg you.”

I nodded, closing my eyes. It was now or never. There was only a short time frame when the soul lingered in the body before beginning its ascent to Starlight. I had to try.

“Dear Starlight, Mother of all things, Creator of everything light and dark. Hear my plea. Our Princess has fallen, poisoned and left to perish on your land; your soil soaked with her blood. Do not allow a being of low stature go against your star map, and defy your plans for Rosalina Mackenzie Heart. Hear my cry for justice and renew the threads of life within. Let my strings of justice save her soul from the ascent, let the gift you’ve given to me heal and mend such wounds. Bring Makoto back to us...to me. Please Mother Starlight, answer thy call.”

I felt the power within release; the multiple white strings left my hands and began to wrap around Makoto. String after string, wound around her body, cocooning our princess...I felt the strain of my magic, gritted my teeth as I continued to let the overflowing energy release from my hands.

My eyes noticed the web within the wound in Mako’s chest – as it healed the surrounding ripped tissues. I scanned her body, watched as it began to heal. The poison still lingered, but thanks to Eli’s magic, it had stopped its progression.

I watched my strings wrap around her heart, sheltering it before sending multiple shockwaves. I waited anxiously, praying that our efforts weren’t in vain as I held my breath.

I reached out and held the hand lying on her chest, wishing to feel her warmth instead of the cold, clammy feel that greeted me. I pressed her hand against my lips as I closed my eyes.

Princess...Makoto, please. Breathe.

My eyes flashed open, widening as my ears picked up the first heartbeat; another followed a few seconds later, followed by another. It continued, beating in an irregular pattern, but it began to find a rhythm; my strings of healing retreated as my eyes watched her heart beat strong.

“KAI! Now!” I heard Eli scream through our bond.

I felt a change in the air followed by a ripping noise. I glanced over to see Kai, Ryder, and Marcus who looked like they’d been running. Kai didn’t hesitate, walking forward while Ryder and Marcus froze, their eyes landed on Makoto’s body.

I couldn’t focus on their reactions; the priority was to get Makoto to Heila, ruling out everything else.

“Winterlya, Karen and the rest of the medical team are ready. The Queen has been notified as well and will assist in the treatment. Are you two ready? I won’t be able to make it as smooth of a trip as usual.” Kai confessed.

My eyes trailed his body, exhaustion evident. I frowned, taking another glance at Makoto whose heart was already beginning to lose momentum.

“Kai, you’re pushing it,” I warned. We already had to deal with Makoto being on the edge of death. We’d be at a big disadvantage if Kai pushed past his limit. He gave me a frustrated look, but sighed.

“Hinotori,” he summoned, his eyes closed before opening again, those amber globes glowed with immense power.

“It’s been awhile Azriel, Elyion. Shall we? The Princess is already on the decline. Let us not delay,” he announced. His Japanese accent cloaked his words.

We both gave each other one glance before looking at Ryder and Marcus – both of their eyes gave off the glowing effect – Stryker and Ryuu took over to bid us farewell.

“Keep us posted on the Princess’ condition. We won’t take long,” Ryuu requested.

“I’ll clean everything up down here. Just focus on stabilizing her. We believe in you three,” Stryker acknowledged. The demon and I had never been able to see eye to eye on any matter, but now as he gazed at me, I knew he believed in my ability to care for the Princess and his demon love.

I could see their fear, but I also saw their confidence. This wasn’t just a coincidence. It was a test and we all knew it. It was time to show the darkness what it meant to be knights, and it started with saving the Princess.

Hinotori placed a firm hand on my shoulder, doing the same to Eli. I held Mako’s hand tightly against my chest before closing my eyes.

“May the Stars protect us on our path to salvation.”