"I can't... I can't stay like this..." Zigh muttered under his breath.

  The tremors wracking his body slowly subsided. His face, as white as a sheet, remained fixed on his own hands.

  "Lian... Outer... Miss Edelweiss... they’re all connected, but... Damn it!"

  Zigh ran his fingers through his hair, mussing the strands into a tangled mess. Pausing to take a deep, shuddering breath, he let it out slowly while glancing at the clock on the wall. "Almost midnight..."

  Zigh tidied his hair as he sank back onto the hospital bed, the sterile sheets rustling beneath him. "What am I even doing?"

  Memories of his encounter with Lian flickered through his mind like a broken film reel. "If only... I had brought Miss Edelweiss with me back then..."

  He rolled onto his right side, staring out the window into the darkness. "First thing tomorrow, I must meet Miss Edelweiss. But Lian..."

  Zigh closed his eyes tightly, trying to shut out the swirling thoughts. Better save my energy for tomorrow, he whispered to the still air. Eventually, the weight on his shoulders eased just enough for sleep to claim him.

  ***

  The next morning, as the sun’s rays began to grace the city of Aerpe, Zigh’s eyes fluttered open.

  "Morning already..."

  He pushed himself up into a sitting position. A sharp knock, knock, knock echoed through the room.

  "Yes, come in," Zigh called out.

  A doctor and a nurse entered, heading straight for his bedside. "How are you feeling, Sir Zigh?" the doctor asked, his gaze stern.

  "Better."

  The doctor nodded. "Understood. I'll be conducting a quick examination now."

  "Go ahead," Zigh replied curtly.

  As the doctor examined him, the nurse fastened a black band around Zigh’s wrist. She then pulled out a device—resembling a thermometer but more compact—and pressed a button.

  "Sir Zigh, please close your eyes," the nurse instructed.

  Zigh complied. A thermal scanner? he thought. A beam of light emitted from the device, sweeping across his body like a searchlight.

  Beep. Beep. Beep.

  "All done. You may open your eyes," she said.

  "What are the results?" the doctor inquired.

  "Everything is within normal range, Doctor."

  The doctor offered a small smile. "Excellent. Sir, your body temperature has returned to normal."

  Zigh tilted his head, confused. "What do you mean by that?"

  The doctor sighed, his expression softening. "You were bordering on hypothermia last night."

  Zigh’s eyes flew open. Hypothermia... Outer...

  "Sir? Is something wrong?"

  Zigh shook his head.

  The black band on his wrist emitted a long beep. The doctor checked it immediately. "No color change. This is a good sign," he murmured, unfastening the band.

  Do you have any other complaints, sir?"

  "No."

  The doctor shared a look with the nurse, who gave a slight nod. "Sir, your vitals are stable. However, for safety's sake, we recommend you stay until tomorrow."

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Unnecessary. Please remove the IV from my hand."

  The nurse looked to the doctor for guidance. "Sir Zigh, while the results are positive, it would be best if you rested until at least this evening," the doctor urged.

  Zigh took a breath, ignored the advice, and stood up. With a swift, practiced motion, he pulled the needle out himself. The doctor and nurse stood frozen, their mouths agape in shock.

  Zigh pressed a hand over the puncture mark. "I can't stay here any longer."

  "But Sir Zigh—!"

  Zigh brushed past them without a second glance. "Thank you... I'll settle the bill on my way out."

  ***

  Zigh marched toward Lian’s room. Just as he arrived, a nurse stepped out, her forehead drenched in sweat.

  That nurse... Zigh thought. He intercepted her immediately. "Wait!"

  The nurse turned, looking startled.

  "Are you alright?" Zigh asked.

  She nodded.

  Zigh smiled. "How is my colleague?"

  Her breathing was heavy. "Not much change. The fever hasn't broken yet. The doctor administered medication earlier. Please, be patient."

  "Are you really okay?"

  The nurse rubbed her arms, a shiver running through her. "Forgive me, Sir Zigh..."

  "Speak your mind."

  "Ever since I started checking on your colleague yesterday... this room... it feels different from the others. Even the doctor felt it."

  Zigh let out a heavy sigh. "I see..."

  The nurse forced a small, professional smile. "You shouldn't worry too much. Take care of yourself, Sir Zigh. Don't go fainting again."

  Zigh's expression hardly changed, as he maintained a faint smile. "I'm sorry for the trouble."

  "It's quite alright. Excuse me."

  Zigh watched her figure disappear down the hall. Outer...

  He turned his gaze toward Lian’s door. As his hand reached for the handle, it began to tremble. He gripped his own wrist, trying to steady it. "Why? I..."

  He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. Everything will be fine, he told himself.

  He pushed the door open slowly. His eyes swept the room—Lian lay motionless on the bed. "Outer isn't here," Zigh whispered.

  He stepped inside. Unknown to him, Outer was already there, standing right beside Lian, watching. Zigh’s steps were slow but deliberate until he reached the bedside. Safe...

  He placed a hand on Lian’s forehead. "Still burning... even his lips are starting to parch." Zigh pulled his hand back, observing Lian’s frail state. "Lian... why did you refuse treatment?"

  He looked at Lian’s arms—nothing but skin and bone. "Your body can't keep up with your power..."

  In a blink of an eye, the air shifted. A presence moved, stopping right beside Zigh.

  "Lian... just who is Outer?"

  At that moment, a shadowy, pitch-black hand reached out and touched Lian’s hand.

  Zigh froze. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the dark silhouette. Cold sweat broke out across his skin. He didn't dare turn his head. Outer leaned in, a chilling breath brushing against Zigh’s neck, sending a frost-like shiver down his spine.

  Zigh’s breathing became ragged. His focus was locked on that shadowy hand. "O—Outer..."

  Outer simply blew a cold puff of air against the nape of Zigh’s neck. Every hair on Zigh’s body stood on end. He felt paralyzed.

  "Do not disturb Lian..." Outer whispered directly into his ear.

  The shadow released Lian’s hand. In an instant, the presence vanished. Zigh whipped his head around, but there was no one there—no shadow, no entity. Without wasting another second, Zigh bolted from the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

  Inside, Outer chuckled, staring at the closed door.

  ***

  Zigh collapsed against the hallway wall, sliding down until his back hit the cold surface. "Damn it..."

  His body was shaking again as the memories of the night before resurfaced. He slammed his fists against the wall in a fit of powerless rage. "No... I’m still not... damn it."

  He wiped his face and took a stabilizing breath. "I have to see Miss Edelweiss."

  He walked toward the administration desk, using the wall for support until his nerves steadied.

  "I'd like to settle the bill," Zigh said to the clerk.

  "Certainly. Under what name?"

  "Leuliang Esculenta," Zigh replied, before adding in a lower voice, "And Zigh Eosvile."

  "One moment... Cash or card?"

  Zigh pulled a sleek black card from his wallet and handed it over. The clerk’s eyes widened as she took it. This card... so he really is an Eosvile...

  "Please convey our best wishes for your colleague's recovery," the clerk said, returning the card.

  Zigh nodded, tucking it away.

  He reached into his pocket. "If anything happens to Leuliang Esculenta, call this number immediately." He handed her his business card.

  "Understood, Sir."

  Zigh exited the building and headed for his sports car. Miss Edelweiss, this time, I’m going to uncover exactly what the connection between you and Lian is.

  He climbed in, ignited the engine, and sped off toward the Edelweiss Estate.

  When he arrived, the gates stood wide open. Heavy machinery was parked in the courtyard. Rhea stood there, overseeing the repairs on the second-floor west wing of her estate. Zigh stepped out of his car and approached her.

  "Good morning, Miss Edelweiss."

  Rhea turned. Her expression was flat, unreadable. "Good morning."

  She’s different from yesterday, Zigh noted internally. "We need to talk, Miss Edelweiss."

  "As you can see, now is not the most opportune time for a conversation."

  Zigh looked up at the damaged wing. "It’s about Lian."

  Rhea’s peridot eyes flickered with a dim light. "What have you done to Master Lian?"

  "So," Zigh countered, "do you still not have time to talk?"

  Rhea’s lips curled into a thin, sharp smile. "I shall prepare tea for you, Sir Eosvile."

  Zigh met her gaze. "Miss Edelweiss, I told you to call me Zigh. And instead of tea, I’d prefer black coffee."

  "Very well, Sir Zigh. Let us speak in the drawing room."

  Together, they entered the estate.

  To be continued...