83 Echoes of Sacrifice

Damon slowly regained consciousness, his senses returning in fragments. The acrid smell of antiseptic lingered in the air, and the sterile white of the hospital room enveloped him. As his awareness sharpened, he realized he was lying in a hospital bed, his body protesting with aches and pains. Damon: "Lia? Where's Lia? What happened?" His urgent inquiries echoed through the room, but the only response was the hum of medical equipment. Panic set in as he tried to sit up, only to be met with searing pain. Matthew, Damon's grandfather and the family patriarch, entered the room with a heavy heart. His eyes bore the weight of sorrow and concern. Matthew: "Damon, my boy, you need to rest. You've been through a lot." Damon, his voice strained, pleaded, "Where is Lia? Is she okay? Tell me she's okay!" Matthew hesitated, his gaze falling to the floor before meeting Damon's desperate eyes. Matthew: "Damon, Lia... Lia didn't make it. I'm so sorry." The words hung in the ai