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The strange light in Callum's eyes faded, replaced by his green irises– they were only visible for a moment, though. As soon as Callum was no longer under Aaravos's spell, he went unconscious, and his body couldn't keep him standing any longer.
"Callum!"
Before he could collapse to the ground, Rayla rushed over and caught him, kneeling and lowering him with her, placing him across her lap, holding his head upright. She tilted his face toward hers. "Oh, Callum…"
The group stared, anxious, as Aaravos blew a kiss, and the mirror shattered in an instant. After the sound of breaking glass, there was only silence for the moment following.
Rayla returned her gaze to Callum. She brushed the hair away from his eyes.
"Is he okay?" Ezran asked.
"I don't know," Rayla said, panic in her voice, worry in her eyes.
"He's probably just unconscious, right? I mean, Aaravos wouldn't just…" Soren shuddered. "He said he expected Callum to play right into his hands, and he can't do that if he's... You know."
Ezran cringed.
Rayla touched Callum's forehead. "He's burning up. Get a rag and some water from my pack."
About fifteen seconds later, Soren rushed over with the rag and water bottle, releasing some water onto the rag. He handed the rag to Rayla, and she placed it on Callum's forehead.
"He's gonna be okay, right?" Soren said. "A fever doesn't mean he's dying or anything, does it?"
"He'll be fine. I'll make sure of it," Rayla nodded.
•••
"Callum! Can you hear us?"
A voice called for him, close by, but still seeming so far away. Callum felt gentle hands on his shoulders, carefully shaking him as he slowly began to stir. He breathed out, opening his eyes.
Looking down at him was a wide-eyed, very concerned Rayla. She noticed he had woken up, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
"He's awake," she called out to Ezran. "Hey… How are you feeling?"
Callum opened his mouth to speak, but immediately closed it. He wasn't sure how he was feeling. He hadn't even fully comprehended that Aaravos had just choked him and controlled his every move. Even though he was trapped. Probably miles away. If distance couldn't limit his power, was there anything that could? It was bone-chilling just thinking about it.
"Callum?" His brother tried to catch his attention. Rayla helped Callum sit upright. His eyes darted to Ezran. "Are you okay?"
"I–" Callum stammered, "I don't know."
If Ezran wasn't frowning before, he was now. Next to him, Soren stared worriedly, but remained silent.
"Do you want us to give you some space?" Ezran asked.
"I…" Callum started, uncertain of how to finish his sentence.
"We'll just back up a little bit, but we won't leave. Okay?" Soren suggested.
Callum nodded.
Ezran and Soren backed away, and Rayla scooted over, but as soon as she did, where she'd touched him went from warm to icy cold.
"Wait," he said, reaching for her, "I– can you stay?"
Rayla stared incredulously for a moment, but finally she spoke. "Yeah. Yeah, of course."
She lay Callum across her lap again. Callum glanced up at her face. It was an awkward angle, but clearly enough, it was Rayla. She was there, watching over him. And despite everything, he trusted her enough to keep him safe.
He mostly just felt numb. Hollow and cold. Part of him wanted to cry, but he didn't. Instead he closed his eyes, breathing slowly.
"Rest if you need to," Rayla whispered.
"I think I will," Callum mumbled. Then he went quiet. Rayla placed one hand in Callum's soft brown hair, and the other grasped at his wrist. His heartbeat was slow and steady, calm and relaxed. Rayla sighed. He's going to be okay. He has me.