Chapter 104 Return From The Abyss

Chapter 104 Return From The Abyss
NYRA

I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until my chest started to ache. Everything in me had narrowed down to that single point—her hand in mine, the faint warmth of her skin, the smallest movements that felt louder than anything I had ever heard before.

Another twitch gave me a sign of hope and I couldn't help but feel excited at what it stood for, the fact that the danger was over even if it was the first bit.

It was still weak and there was no uncertainty. But it was there and could not be ignored especially after those long nights of drama.

Her eyes were not open but just that bit of consciousness gave me hope. My fingers tightened instinctively around hers, not enough to hurt, just enough to tell her that someone was there and she was not alone in all of this or maybe to anchor myself.

“Aria,” I whispered again, softer this time, like I was afraid the sound of my own voice might push her away. “Stay with me… just stay.”

My heart was beating too fast now, the earlier heaviness in my chest shifting into something fragile. Hope…Hope at that moment fluttered with its iridescent wings.

I wasn’t sure which felt more dangerous…To hope you or the anxiety which at that moment was racing in my soul

Beside me, I could feel Cyril’s attention locked onto her just as intensely. The room had changed without warning.

The stillness from before was gone. It had been replaced by something tighter, as we both waited anticipating what would happen next.

Her fingers moved again. Not just a twitch this time …No, it was subtle, but there was intention behind it. A faint curl, like her body, was remembering suddenly that she was awake.

A breath caught in my throat.

“She’s trying,” I murmured, more to myself than to him. “She’s actually trying.”

Cyril didn’t respond immediately, but I could feel the shift in him. The quiet alertness sharpened into focus.

“Aria,” he said again, steady but firmer now. “If you can hear me, do it again.”

We both waited again and a second stretched.
Then another. And then just when j was about to lose hope. Her fingers moved again.

My vision blurred instantly, but this time I didn’t let the tears fall. I couldn’t. Not yet. I needed to see.

“Good,” I said quickly, leaning closer, my voice trembling despite my attempt to steady it. “That’s it. Just like that…You’re doing fine.”

I didn’t even realize I was speaking like that until the words were already out softly as if I was dreading speaking all of this too fast might make her lose consciousness again.

Her breathing shifted slightly. It was faint, so faint I almost missed it but I felt it before I heard it. The rhythm had changed. It wasn’t as shallow anymore.

“She’s waking up,” I whispered.

This time, there was no doubt in my voice.
Cyril moved closer to the bed, his gaze fixed on her face now instead of her hand.

“Aria,” he called again. “Open your eyes.”

Nothing happened a moment. .For a moment, fear crept in again, slow and unwelcome.

What if this was all she could do?

What if this was as far as she could come back?

My grip tightened again, my thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles.

“No,” I muttered under my breath, almost stubbornly. “You don’t get to stop here. Not after this.”

Another shift happened at that moment and her fingers curled faintly around mine. This time, I felt it clearly.

My breath hitched.

“She’s holding back,” I said quickly, my voice picking up urgency. “She’s there, but something’s—”

I stopped mid-sentence as her lashes fluttered…Everything in me went completely still. It was small like other subtle signs from the past moment but I saw it.

“Cyril—” I called out, gripping his arm.

“I see it.”

Her eyelids moved again, slower this time, like it was taking everything in her just to manage that one motion.

I leaned forward without realizing it, my free hand gripping the edge of the bed.

“Come on…” I whispered. “Come back… please.”

Her brows pulled together slightly, a faint crease forming like she was reacting to something distant, something only she could feel. And then—Her eyes opened.

Not fully or clearly at first..Just a slight parting, unfocused and heavy, like the world was too much for her to take in all at once.
But they were open.

A sharp breath left my chest before I could stop it.

“Aria…” My voice broke this time, no matter how much I tried to hold it together.

Her gaze didn’t settle immediately. It drifted, unfocused, like she wasn’t fully here yet.

“She’s conscious,” Cyril said quietly, but there was something different in his voice now.

I let out a sound out of relief that felt more like a gasp. I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t. I was too focused on her.

“Hey… hey,” I said softly, leaning closer, my grip still firm but gentler now. “Don’t rush it. You’re okay… you’re safe.”

Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.
Her breathing hitched faintly, like even that was an effort.

“It’s alright,” I reassured her quickly. “You don’t have to talk. Just—Just stay with me.”

Her eyes shifted again. This time, they landed on me…It wasn’t sharp nor fully aware. But there was recognition there… faint, buried under layers of exhaustion and whatever she had just come through.

My chest tightened painfully.

“You’re here,” I whispered, almost in disbelief. “You’re actually here…”

Her fingers twitched again in my grasp, weaker this time but still intentional it was a response.

“She can hear you,” Cyril said.

“I know,” I replied immediately, my voice quieter now, steadier despite everything.

She blinked slowly, her gaze struggling to stay open.

“Don’t close your eyes yet,” I said quickly, panic slipping through before I could stop it.

“Stay with me, Aria. Just a little longer.”

Her brows furrowed faintly again, like she was trying to understand. Trying to respond, again her lips moved slightly.

I leaned in closer instinctively. “What is it?”

No sound came out. This time it was just a faint breath. But I didn’t miss the effort.

“She’s trying to speak,” I said, glancing briefly at Cyril.

“Don’t force it,” he replied. “Let her regain her strength first.”

I nodded, even though every part of me wanted to hear her voice. To know she was really back.

My gaze returned to her immediately.
“You don’t have to talk,” I said softly. “Not yet. Just focus on staying awake.”

Her eyes fluttered again..This time, they stayed open a little longer and then very faintly,.her fingers tightened around mine. It was weak and
barely there but it was the clearest response yet.

A shaky breath left me as I lowered my head slightly, my forehead almost touching the back of her hand.

“I’ve got you,” I murmured. “I’m right here.”

For the first time since I walked into that room, the tightness in my chest eased.

Cyril stepped back slightly, giving us space, but I could still feel his presence in the room.

“She’s responding well,” he said after a moment. “Better than expected.”

I let out a small breath. “She scared me.”

“That’s understandable.” He muttered.

I shook my head slightly, my gaze never leaving her.

“No… You don’t get it,” I murmured. “For a moment, I thought—”

I stopped myself but I could say it out loud. Not now…Not when she was right here.

Silence settled again, but it wasn’t the same as before..This silence felt lighter this time , but not suffocating.

Aria’s breathing steadied gradually, her eyes still open but heavy.

“She needs rest,” Cyril said quietly.

I nodded. “I know.” But I didn’t let go of her hand.

I couldn’t, from fear that she might drift away if I dared at least not yet.

Her gaze shifted again, slower this time, and settled on me once more. There was more awareness there now.

“You’re okay,” I said again, softer now. “You’re going to be fine.”

Her lips moved again, barely forming a shape.

I leaned closer instinctively and this time, a sound came out.

So quiet I almost didn’t catch it.

“…Nyra…”

My breath caught completely..A sharp, overwhelming wave of relief crashed into me so suddenly it almost hurt.

“I’m here,” I said immediately, my voice breaking despite everything. “I’m right here.”

Her eyes softened faintly at that and just like that, something inside me settled. Not completely but enough to know one thing for certain.

She had made it back and this time—

I wasn’t going to let anything take her away again.