The Guardians moved cautiously through the Ember Mountains, their senses heightened after their encounter in the Infernal Cavern. Orin had urged them to press on, warning that the Dark One's forces would grow more aggressive the closer they got to the Elemental Nexus.
The air was tense as they trudged through the rocky terrain. Zane, as always, walked at the back of the group, his watch ticking softly in his hand. Jasmine glanced at him from time to time, her thoughts drifting to their conversation the night before. There was something about him—something she couldn't quite put into words.
An Ambush in the Shadows
The attack came without warning.
The ground trembled beneath their feet as a group of shadowy creatures emerged from the jagged rocks, their glowing red eyes locking onto the Guardians. These weren't ordinary enemies; their forms shifted unnaturally, as if the shadows themselves were alive.
"Stay together!" Orin's voice rang in their minds.
Leo's flames roared to life, illuminating the creatures and revealing their twisted shapes. "Guess we're doing this again!"
Bruce slammed his fists into the ground, creating a wall of stone to block the advancing shadows. "We need a plan!"
"Plan's simple—don't die!" Skye shouted, darting into the air and sending gusts of wind to scatter the creatures.
Jasmine summoned water from the moisture in the air, her movements precise as she lashed out at the shadows. Zane, meanwhile, slowed time around the enemies, giving the others a chance to strike.
But the shadows were relentless, their numbers seemingly endless.
A Distracted Heart
Jasmine moved with her usual grace, her water attacks carving through the shadows. But her focus wavered as her eyes drifted toward Zane. He fought with a cold efficiency, every move calculated and deliberate. She couldn't help but admire the way he seemed so in control, even in the chaos.
It was a split-second distraction, but it was enough.
One of the shadow creatures lunged at her from the side, its claws raking across her arm. She cried out in pain, stumbling back as blood stained her sleeve.
"Jasmine!" Zane's voice cut through the chaos, sharper than anyone had ever heard it.
He was at her side in an instant, freezing the creature in place before it could strike again. Without another word, he scooped her up and darted away from the fray, time bending around them as he moved.
Tending to the Wounded
Zane carried Jasmine to a sheltered alcove, the sounds of battle fading into the background. He laid her down carefully, his hands trembling as he assessed her injury. The gash on her arm was deep, but not life-threatening. Still, the sight of her unconscious form unnerved him in a way he couldn't explain.
"Don't be reckless," he muttered, his voice low. "You're better than that."
He pulled out a roll of bandages from his pack, his movements quick but gentle. As he cleaned the wound, his mind raced. This wasn't like him—this surge of fear, of urgency. He had always kept his emotions buried, locked away where they couldn't interfere. But seeing Jasmine hurt had shaken something loose.
A Fragile Connection
As he worked, Zane found himself speaking, his words soft and hesitant.
"You said I wasn't as cold as I wanted people to think," he murmured, his hands steady despite the turmoil inside. "Maybe you're right. Or maybe you're just stubborn enough to believe it."
He glanced at her face, pale but peaceful in unconsciousness. "But you can't get hurt because of me. I won't let that happen."
For a moment, the ticking of his watch was the only sound. He placed it beside her, the steady rhythm oddly comforting.
A Guardian's Return
The others found them minutes later, the battle won but their faces etched with concern.
"How is she?" Calypso asked, kneeling beside Jasmine.
"She'll be fine," Zane said, his voice clipped. "The wound's clean, and I stopped the bleeding."
Leo raised an eyebrow, his usual humor absent. "Didn't know you had a soft side, clock boy."
Zane shot him a glare, but he didn't respond.
Bruce placed a hand on Zane's shoulder. "You did good."
Zane shrugged off the compliment, standing and turning away. "We need to keep moving. She can rest while we plan our next move."
Skye looked at him, her sharp eyes catching the tension in his posture. "You care more than you let on, don't you?"
He didn't answer, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
Waking Moments
Hours later, Jasmine stirred, her eyelids fluttering open to the dim light of the campfire. The first thing she saw was Zane sitting nearby, his back to the fire, his watch ticking softly in his hand.
"You stayed," she said weakly.
He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "You shouldn't have gotten hurt."
A faint smile tugged at her lips. "It happens. Part of the job, right?"
"Not to you," he said firmly. "Not because of me."
She reached out, her fingers brushing against his arm. "Zane, it's not your fault."
For a moment, his mask cracked, the pain in his eyes unmistakable. But then he looked away, the walls going back up.
"Just rest," he said quietly.
As she closed her eyes again, a sense of warmth lingered between them—a fragile connection, unspoken but undeniable.
