Never Loved

Derek sat in deep meditation, his eyes closed, and his robes billowing slightly in the calm evening breeze. Overhead, clusters of bats swarmed from the darkening sky, forming a shadowy canopy that gradually gathered next to him. In the midst of this bat swarm, Katherine emerged gracefully, landing on one knee beside him.

She spoke quickly, her voice unwavering, "I've sent a message to the Beast Empire. They've agreed to dispatch a battalion. They should arrive here in two days."

Derek, his eyes still closed, gave a slow, almost imperceptible nod. Weakness was visible on his usually stoic face, and he attempted to rise to his feet. However, as he struggled to stand, his body trembled, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood, causing him to fall back down on his butt.