80 Interrupted Affair

The jubilation over Eva's defeat was short-lived. King Declan, his face pale and clammy, cowered in the corner of the ruined ballroom. Tremors wracked his body, a testament to the fierce hold Temp V had taken on him.

"What do we do with him?" a burly guard boomed, his voice echoing in the tense silence. All eyes turned to Ethan, the weight of leadership settling heavily upon him.

Ethan, the hero of the hour just moments ago, felt a wave of helplessness wash over him. He had no experience handling addiction, no knowledge of how to heal such a monstrous dependency. He glanced at Thorne, a silent plea for guidance in his eyes.

Thorne stepped forward. "We need a healer," he declared, his voice firm and collected. "One skilled in concocting antidotes and remedies."

A young woman, barely out of her teens, emerged from the crowd. Lorraine, a name whispered with respect for her burgeoning talent, pushed through the throng, her brow furrowed in concern.