Chapter 72

HAZEL

The air in the Kingdom is heavy with despair. It's as if the very clouds overhead have been burdened with the weight of impending loss. We're all gathered around one of our own, someone who's become more than just a comrade he's family. His labored breaths echo through the room, each one a reminder of our powerlessness in the face of sickness.

I watch Ethan and Arnold, their usually steadfast demeanor faltering under the weight of the inevitable. Their eyes which are usually bright with determination, are now dimmed with sorrow. He's already preparing for the worst, making arrangements for a funeral that feels far too premature.

We have exhausted every avenue in search of a cure, turning over every stone in desperation. Yet, the sickness persists, relentless in its grip on our friend. It's a cruel reminder of our vulnerability, of how even the strongest among us can be brought to their knees by forces beyond our control.

But amidst the despair, there's a flicker of hope, howe