Kael's eyes fluttered open. He lay on a hospital bed, body numb, a sharp ache pulsing through his abdomen.
"Am I alive?" he whispered, barely audible.
He turned his head to the right and saw Sara asleep in a chair, her face drawn and weary, hands clasped in her lap.
"Sa… Sara…" he tried to sit up, but his body wouldn't obey.
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Sara stirred at the sound of his voice. Her eyes widened in surprise and relief when she saw him awake. She rushed to his side and embraced him gently, trying not to cry.
"I thought you were going to die. Don't ever scare me like that again," she said, her voice trembling as she clung to him.
Kael felt a lump rise in his throat.
"You're my best friend. I love you, Sara. Thank you for staying with me. I thought something happened to you. I was so worried before I blacked out," he said, eyes glistening with tears.
"I'm just glad you're okay." Sara sat beside him on the bed. "When those men drove off in their trucks, I ran to find you. You were lying there, covered in blood… I thought you were gone."
"I called emergency services, but since we don't have insurance, I searched your place and found some money. That's how I managed to get you here. I didn't want to lose you, Kael. I was so scared."
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He smiled weakly.
"You're amazing. You saved my life. I don't even know how to repay you," his voice cracked with emotion.
"You don't have to. We're friends. That man… he's dangerous, Kael. He nearly killed you."
"I know… and if he finds out I'm still alive, he'll come back. I'm scared, Sara."
He looked at her, serious.
"I need to ask you something."
"Anything," she said without hesitation.
"Leave. Go home and don't come near my place. It's too dangerous for you to be around me. Let me handle this, please."
"No, Kael. I'm not leaving you alone. Don't ask me that," she said firmly, shaking her head.
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Kael took her hand.
"If you really care about me, do it for my sake. I'll find you once I'm safe. I just… I don't want anything to happen to you. Please."
Sara lowered her gaze, heart heavy with worry.
"I'm afraid of what you might do. You're my only friend, Kael. I don't want to lose you. Promise me you won't die."
"I promise. I'll be fine. Go now… I love you."
Sara hugged him tight, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"Hey—easy, not so hard," he joked with a painful smile. "Everything hurts. Don't worry about me. I'll see you soon, Sara."
Sara walked out of the room, eyes full of tears, never looking back.
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Kael was left alone. Not long after, a doctor came in and approached his bed.
"Good evening. I heard you woke up. How are you feeling?"
"Hey, doc… everything hurts, but mostly my stomach."
"That's to be expected. We had to perform emergency surgery to save your life. You lost a lot of blood. You were close to death."
"How long have I been here?"
"Fifteen days. I'm glad you pulled through. But I'm afraid the money your friend left only covers you until tomorrow. You'll have to be discharged then."
"I understand… Thank you, doctor."
"If you need anything, press the button beside your bed and I'll come."
The doctor left. Kael let out a long sigh, deep in thought.
"Fifteen days? Unbelievable. Did Sara stay with me all that time?"
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He turned his head and spotted the blue book with strange symbols on the bedside table. His eyes widened.
"That book… it wasn't a dream? Did the Creator really help me?"
He picked it up carefully. It pulsed with a radiant blue glow.
"It's… beautiful."
He opened to the first page. It read:
"This book can only be used by gods. If you are not one, do not continue reading. Simply read what is written on each page, and you will gain the power."
"Only for gods? But… he said it's mine now. Doesn't matter. I'll keep going."
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He turned the page. The next line read:
"Divine Healing. This spell will cure any wound or illness."
"Divine Healing...? If I use it, maybe I'll be completely healed."
With resolve, he read aloud:
"Divine Healing."
His hands began to glow with a soft blue light. He set the book aside and placed both hands on his abdomen. A tingling sensation followed, and then the light faded.
He struggled to pull off his hospital gown and looked at his stomach. There were no scars. His skin was flawless.
"I can't believe it! Not a single mark! This book… it gives me magic."
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He sat up on the bed, overwhelmed with emotion.
"Thank you, Lord God," he whispered.
He flipped to the third page:
"This spell will grant you supernatural physical abilities."
"That sounds amazing… strength, speed… Let's see."
He got out of bed and crouched into a runner's stance. With one step, he vanished and reappeared by the door in a blink.
"Whoa! This is insane. I can't believe it!"
He smiled to himself.
"But no one can know about this. It's too dangerous…"
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He found his clothes in a bag and quickly got dressed. He took the book, hid it under his jacket, and left the room silently.
Once at the exit, he glanced around.
"Now… how do I get home with no money?"
He sighed.
"Guess I'll have to walk. About an hour…"
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He was walking down a narrow street when a man stepped out of an alley with a gun.
"Give me everything you've got, asshole, or I'll kill you!"
Kael froze. For a moment, fear gripped him… then he remembered: he wasn't the same anymore.
"Why am I scared? I can't be a coward."
In a flash, he moved. In less than a second, he had grabbed the gun and pointed it skyward.
"You really thought you could rob me?" he laughed, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
With one solid punch to the gut, the man collapsed, coughing blood and writhing in pain.
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"Who are you… what did you do to me?! No… don't kill me…" the man stammered, choking on blood.
Kael looked down at his fist.
"So this is power. Impressive."
He stared at the man on the ground.
"I won't tell you who I am. And I won't kill you either. Just… don't let me catch you stealing again."
The thief barely moved, soaked in blood.
"H-Help me… I'm dying…"
"You want help? I'll give you a chance."
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At that moment, a patrol car pulled up. Two officers stepped out, spotting the injured man.
One of them pointed at Kael.
"Did you do this?"
"No. I just got here. I was about to leave," Kael replied calmly, though his heart pounded.
The thief weakly pointed at Kael.
"Hands up! Don't move or we'll shoot!" the officer shouted.
Kael froze, unsure what to do. Doubt gnawed at his thoughts.
Do I take their guns? Can I handle two of them? What should I do?