Duncan dusted off his hands, looking around in satisfaction. "Well done, everyone," he congratulated his comrades, holding his shoulder as he tested it gingerly. "Buzz-Off, Orko, and Hawk, would you check on Mekaneck and Stratos? Once you're sure they're okay, take our prisoners back to Eternos. The rest of us will head to Snake Mountain and see what we can do to help."
"D-Duncan," said a worried voice.
Man-at-Arms swung around, and his heart went into his throat. "Cringer? What are you doing here?"
"I-I don't know." Cringer sounded terrified, and Duncan knew why. Adam would never willingly relinquish the power without knowing where Battle Cat was. Something was terribly wrong.
It seemed like years later when Malick's voice finally broke into She-Ra's haze. "She-Ra, stop. You've done all you can."
She shook her head wildly. "No, I have to help them. They're both so sick—so pale."
"And their bodies are too worn out to take any more healing magics for now. They need to be taken to a place to rest." Malick focused a beam of power Adam's great wound. She-Ra stared at the gaping hole in horror, terrified Adam wouldn't survive.
Malick laid a hand on She-Ra's forearm. "I've cleaned the wound magically and covered it until such a time that a healer can get to it. It won't stop the bleeding completely, but it will slow it. You must get them back to the palace hospital wing as soon as possible. Keldor has somehow linked his lifeforce to Adam's." Malick drew in a shaky breath. "Adam's injuries are too extensive. If it weren't for Keldor's spell, I'm certain Adam would be dead now. As it is, I don't know how long either of them can last. Magic has done all it can. Allow medical treatment to work as well. It is the only hope for either of them."
"No," protested She-Ra. "There's got to be a way. "If Adam could call on the power of Grayskull." She looked around, getting to her feet in spite of her weak knees. "His sword, where's his sword?"
"I'm afraid Adam will never call on Grayskull again."
"What?" asked She-Ra, her voice breaking. Her horrified eyes turned to Malick.
Malick closed his eyes for a moment and raised his hand. A glow appeared from below the rubble, bringing forth metallic shards. As Malick raised his other hand, the shards slowly drifted towards them, glinting in the light of Malick's spell.
"This is all that is left of the Sword of Power," Malick explained as a globe of magic descended. Within the globe were the shattered fragments of the once-great sword.
Teela and Lyn slid down to the bottom of the hill, grabbing onto each other to remain upright, and picked their way through the rocks as best they could.
"No," sobbed She-Ra. "It can't be. That's Adam's only hope."
Malick reached out to clasp She-Ra's shoulders. "The others are on their way. They must know that He-Man's sacrifice has sealed Evil's gateway; but He-Man is no more. That he can never be here to rescue them again." Voices echoed among the ruins of Snake Mountain. As Teela and Lyn finally reached them, there was the sound of wings and tumbling rocks. "I must go now."
"Wait!" Teela cried out, but Malick merely threw her an apologetic look. A portal opened up and Malick rushed through it, the shards of the sword following behind him. The golden portal closed just as beams of flashlights cut through the dusty air above them.
She-Ra dissolved into tears. One look at Adam, and then her, and Teela felt the blood rush from her head. Lyn, though no better upon seeing their husbands' conditions, caught Teela, and they both crumpled to the ground.
Swift Wind dove down, Duncan on his back. Cringer came sliding down the steepest part of the cliff head-first; the fact that he gave no thought to being frightened testified to how worried he was.
Man-at-Arms shouted, "She-Ra?" He slid off of Swift Wind, nearly stumbling over a pile of rock scales as he rushed to her side. "Ancients no," breathed Duncan in horror as he saw the two prone figures beside She-Ra. Ram-Man, Lana, and Fisto came up behind Duncan, their mouths agape as Cringer let out a pitiful cat-wail that sounded off the rocks around them and echoed into the night.
"Cringer, stop!" She-Ra chided him. The tiger lowered his head and went to Adam, licking his friend's face in a futile effort to wake him.
"They're not dead," continued She-Ra in a tremulous voice. "At least not yet. I cannot fully heal them and they are both extremely weak. They need medical treatment immediately. Hurry, Duncan. I'm afraid A-Adam might not make it." Teela held a fist to her mouth, unable to comprehend what she was hearing, but knowing the truth in her heart.
"Duh," began Ram-Man, "you and He-Man can get them to the wind raider in no time. They can be in the palace in a few hours."
"He-Man c-can never help us again," She-Ra said, her voice breaking completely. "He's gone, Rammy." She began to sob quietly. "He's g-gone forev-ever."
"No," gasped Fisto.
Lana went to Teela and Lyn, placing a comforting hand on each shoulder. She said nothing. There was nothing to say. Cringer looked up at Lana, his eyes huge as the meaning set into his mind as well.
Duncan cast a worried glance at She-Ra. "We have to get these two out now." He pulled two expando stretchers out and with a push of a button, he had two levitating stretchers on either side of Adam and Keldor. Very carefully, Duncan and She-Ra lifted Adam to his stretcher as Ram-Man and Fisto lifted Keldor to his own. Lyn and Lana helped Teela to her feet, and the three of them clung together. Then, as quickly as they could, the group made their way out of the decimated battleground.
"Oh Ancients," Teela choked out, seeing Adam's blood-stained and torn shirt again in her mind, though it was now covered with a loose cloth. Through the gaps she had seen the dangerous-looking wound that still remained. "She-Ra!" she called to the woman ahead of her as they made their way up a gentler slope than the one she and Lyn had stumbled down earlier. "Why is he still injured?"
"He was injured too badly," She-Ra said, tears still streaming down her face in spite of her efforts to get herself under control. "I'm not sure what happened, but I couldn't heal him. Keldor tried to save him, but Malick said he had to link his life to Adam's to do so. Even now..." She-Ra's voice caught. She couldn't say the rest, but she didn't need to. Lyn and Teela understood from the look on her face.
"You stupid, idiotic macho moron!" Lyn sobbed at Keldor as they crested the top of the trail. She shook with a sudden, intense fear that she had not felt before. "If he was that close to dying, you should have let him!"
"What?" Teela demanded, outraged. "How could you say such a thing, you…you witch!"
Lyn pulled herself together with a huge effort. "By linking his life force to Adam's, Keldor shares in his fate," Lyn said, clenching her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her hands. "If Adam dies, so does Keldor."
Adam glanced around. He was in perhaps the most beautiful place he'd ever seen. Colors he couldn't define seemed to burst out of the unfamiliar plants around him. The air was sweet and light, the temperature perfect, and a feeling of serenity filled him. He felt as if he were home.
A woman with long blond hair glided up to him. It was difficult to tell her age, but she seemed familiar. "Adam," she said, hugging him tightly. "It's so good to see you, although I'm not sure you feel the same way."
When she touched him, Adam knew exactly who she was. "Grandmother?" he whispered. "But you're-"
"Dead," she completed with a sweet smile, her blue eyes, so like his own, twinkling. "And you're very close to being in the same condition, my dear, heroic boy. Another moment, perhaps, and you'll leave all the joy and pain of the damaged worlds behind."
Adam didn't feel the shock or horror or sadness he would have expected. Instead, he felt relief. An overwhelming, intense relief.
"Don't you leave!" echoed a voice. Adam tilted his head to the side.
"Keldor?" he asked, puzzled. The memory of the last few moments of his life flooded him. "Oh Ancients," he breathed.
"If you go, you're taking me with you! I'm not going back to explain this to your father!"
Keldor's voice seemed to grow louder. Suddenly, the blue mage was beside Adam.
"What are you doing here?" Ranay asked, one eyebrow raised. "It's not your time, Keldor."
"It's not his either," protested Keldor. His hands clenched. Who was this woman to imply that it was Adam's time to die? Recognition rocked him suddenly. 'Ranay. Randor's mother.'
Ranay smiled sadly, as if she sensed his shock. "You don't know that," she said gently. Then she turned back to Adam. "But you do."
There was a long moment of silence. Keldor stared at Adam, shocked that the prince wasn't protesting Ranay's words.
Adam finally looked at Keldor. "I'm tired, Uncle Keldor." Neither felt any surprise at the unfamiliar use of the name. There was only truth in this place.
Keldor took a few minutes to gather his thoughts, sensing that there was something different about his nephew. He had to be careful. "I know you are, Adam," he said kindly. "Truth knows you've been through Blazes and back lately. But you're needed on Eternia."
"Eternia doesn't need me anymore." Adam's voice was soft and wondering, his tone indicating the idea had just come to him.
That annoyed Keldor. "Oh?" he challenged, more impatiently now. "Eternia doesn't need a ruler dedicated to justice and truth? But more importantly, Josiah doesn't need his father? Teela doesn't need her husband?"
"Eternia has Adora." Adam stopped there. He couldn't argue with the other two, and he had a sudden intense longing to hold his wife and son. He drew in a shuddering breath. "They're safer without me there."
"What the Blazes are you talking about?" Keldor asked crossly.
"If I'm not there, Hutch has no reason to attack Teela and Josiah," Adam pointed out, feeling almost sick at the thought.
"Who says he wouldn't do it anyway?" Keldor asked, waving his arms in the air irritably.
There was another long pause as Adam looked off into the distance, his face troubled. For the first time in his life, the desire to lay aside his duties was overwhelming him. Conflicting with that desire was the memory of how he had felt when he thought Teela had died—he couldn't put her through that same despair if it wasn't necessary. And Josiah—Adam couldn't imagine having grown up without his own father.
"Even if I went back, I'm not sure..." 'I'm not sure I could survive.' Adam looked at Ranay, sensing she knew much of what was going on. "He-Man is gone, isn't he?"
Ranay nodded. "You would not have that complication any longer, should you choose to fight to stay alive. But Adam, you were badly injured. There would be much pain, should you choose to try to return. And without the Sword of Power, your life will never be the same."
Adam audibly sucked in a breath as the memory of his last few moments came to the forefront of his mind again. "Did it work?" he asked, looking to Keldor. "Is Damien gone?"
"Yes. You brought him down, and the evil that dwelt in that mountain is gone. The magics surrounding that place now are pure like most other places on the planet." Keldor kept his voice even, nonthreatening, even though he wanted to grab hold of Adam and shake him.
Adam shuddered. "It hurt so much," he whispered, wrapping his arms around his stomach. "When I released the power, it was as if every cell of my body was being torn in two. Why did it hurt so much?"
"Grayskull's magic was bound to you," Ranay explained, her blue eyes sympathetic.
"Bound to him?" repeated Keldor.
"At Orko and Dree Elle's binding ceremony, Adam and Adora had the swords," Ranay responded. She smiled at Adam's look of surprise. "I spend a lot of my time here watching my grandchildren, Adam. It gives me great joy." She shifted her attention back to Keldor. "The power of the ceremony bound Grayskull's magic to them both in an irrevocable manner. So in a way Adam, a part of you was being torn away."
Adam shook his head. "I don't know if I can go back," he said uneasily. "I don't know if I can survive that pain."
"It will ease in time," Ranay answered.
"Without Grayskull's power, I'm not sure I can withstand it," Adam said almost to himself. He felt worn down to the very center of his being. He looked off into the distance again. The gorgeous mountains seemed to beckon to him, promising him rest and peace. He felt a longing to stay here, to feel nothing but peace and love. 'But Teela and Josiah,' he thought again.
Keldor grew more annoyed as Adam uncharacteristically hesitated, even taking a step away from the two of them. He stepped forward and grasped Adam by the shoulders, shaking him lightly. "Your power may have been torn from you, but you, the part of you that sacrificed your dignity and laid your life on the line each day you held the power of He-Man is still within you. You gave more than most could imagine to see that families stayed safe and whole, yet now, for your own family you are unwilling to do this thing?" Keldor bit off the words, his frustration finally showing.
Adam stared at Keldor and began to shake his head. Keldor pushed at Adam's shoulders, sending the prince back several steps. "Do you wish the pain of being fatherless to live in Josiah's heart?" he demanded. "I tell you from experience that there is no person that can fill that void."
Ranay laid a gentle hand on Keldor's arm. "He must choose for himself, Keldor. No one can choose for him." She looked at Adam expectantly.
Adam shook his head slowly. "No, of course I don't want that," he said softly. He cast another longing look at the mountains beyond, then forced himself to turn his gaze on Ranay. "Can I go back? Is it allowed?"
Ranay smiled as she stepped away. "I love you, Adam. But another must answer your question."
With that, the scenery around them vanished in a blinding white light. A feeling of being overwhelmed by love and power overcame Adam and Keldor. Both men instinctively dropped to one knee out of respect, and a deep, loving voice echoed in the air around them.
"Keldor," the voice said, "you have done well since you found your way back to the light."
A deep sense of unworthiness filled Keldor as the love surrounded him. "I do only as Truth guides me. I deserve nothing," he said hoarsely, "but I thank you...so much," his voice trailed to a whisper, "for a second chance."
"You're very welcome," replied the voice. There was a pause. "Adam."
Adam's heart clenched at the undertone of chastisement. "My lord," he replied in a thick voice. Shame flooded him.
"You doubted me."
The words hung in the air a moment. Adam felt the weight of the accusation like a suffocating blanket. "I'm so sorry," he finally managed to whisper, wishing he could melt into the ground. He had never felt more unworthy in his life, and he meant the apology with everything in him.
"You are forgiven, my son."
Adam felt an automatic denial rise to his lips. He couldn't find the strength to voice the words that caught in his throat. 'Just like that? How?'
Good heard his question anyway. "By my grace, Prince of Eternia. By my mercy. By my love."
Tears welled in Adam's eyes. He remained motionless, overwhelmed.
"Return to your home, and do not doubt again." The light began to fade.
"My Lord," Adam said, finding his voice, though it barely came out as a whisper.
"Yes?"
"If my mother and Keldor hadn't stopped me, would I...I mean, was I really going to...?" Adam stopped, unable to say the words.
"Would you really have pledged yourself to Evil for even one day?" The light shone brighter for a few seconds; Adam could tell even though his head was still bowed. "Adam, some things are best left unknown. If I say that you would have, the shame and regret would cripple who you are. If I tell you that you would not have, your pride and overconfidence would eventually do the same. Now go, and remember...have faith in me."
After a moment of quiet the light surrounding both men faded. Adam, though shaky, was the first to rise from his feet, barely noticing the tears streaming down his face. Keldor also shuddered with silent tears.
Another woman, a blue elf, came from the swirling mists and walked up to the two men. "I am sent to escort you back," she said in a musical voice.
Keldor's head snapped up. "Mother!" He scrambled to his feet and threw himself into her arms. Oddly enough, she seemed to have no trouble catching him and holding him up. "I'm so sorry. I only tried to get help. I'm so sorry you had to die that way."
"Sh sh sh," said Keely. She pulled back and reached up to dry the tears streaming down her son's cheeks. "You did nothing wrong. It was my time, and you've known that for a while now."
"I'm sorry," Keldor continued, his voice breaking. "For what I became. For all I hurt. I'm so sorry to have shamed you and Father."
"You changed, Keldor. You came back and were forgiven. That's all that matters to me now." She hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. "My wonderful boy."
After another moment she pulled away and turned to Adam. "Thank you, Adam, for bringing my son back." She kissed Adam gently on the cheek and hugged him. Surprised, he hugged her back. "I almost lost him forever."
Adam smiled sheepishly as she released him.
"Now both of you have families to return to," Keely said, leading the men away from the light. "It's time to do so."
Gazing at his mother with utter love, Keldor didn't immediately notice that Adam was gradually slowing down. It wasn't until his nephew stumbled that Keldor turned to him in concern. "Adam? Are you all right?"
"It hurts," Adam replied hoarsely, feeling as if a fever was burning through him. He stumbled harder, and went to his hands and knees. Keldor moved to help him.
"No, Keldor," Keely said kindly. "Adam must do this on his own, just as you had to rise from the Waters of Truth on your own."
"Do what?" Keldor asked, confused.
"The closer we go to returning to Eternia, the more Adam senses his body's pain," Keely said sympathetically. She gestured to a cliff just ahead of them. "To return, you must both leap off of there."
"But when I was coming out of the Waters, I was leaving the pain behind," Keldor said, a bit angrily. "You're asking him to jump into it!"
"It is his choice," Keely said calmly. "He must decide if he has the faith and the strength to survive. If he cannot jump, he certainly cannot survive back on Eternia, for much physical pain and many emotional difficulties await him."
"Would you please stop talking about me as if I'm not here?" Adam asked through gritted teeth as he stood again. He walked slowly towards the cliff, his arms wrapped around his stomach as the pain increased. Then, with a sharp cry, he doubled over, just feet from the edge.
"Come on, Adam, you can do it," Keldor urged him. "Your parents, Adora, Teela, Josiah...they're all waiting for you." He looked to Keely imploringly. "This is cruel!"
"It's a test," Adam replied, his voice weak. He managed to glance up at Keely. "Isn't it?"
"No, Adam," Keely said, tears in her eyes. "It is the truth of things. In leaving this place, you walk away from a pain-free existence of love and peace and joy, and return to the imperfect world where many struggles await. Are you sure this is what you want to do, Prince of Eternia?"
Adam heaved in a few deep breaths, pain and nausea rolling through him. Then, in answer to Keely's question, he heaved himself to his feet one last time, staggered to the edge of the cliff, and tumbled off of it like a rag doll. Keldor watched, instinctively worried. He glanced at his mother one last time, and she smiled at him gently. "Go on, Keldor. He will need you." Keldor nodded and jumped after Adam.
Darkness began to surround both men as they fell.
Just as the darkness grew almost unbearable Keldor gasped and opened his eyes for a moment. His vision was blurry but he glimpsed Lyn for just a moment before he fell into unconsciousness.
Marlena and Randor waited anxiously in the vehicle bay. "Tell me again what Duncan said," Marlena requested, wringing her hands.
Randor swallowed hard. "He said Adam had been badly injured, that Keldor seemed to be hurt as well, and to have the medical units standing by for both of them." He glanced over at Ramos, who stood by patiently.
"How badly?" Marlena worried aloud, not expecting an answer.
Randor chose not to respond. Duncan had actually said Adam was critical, and Randor didn't want to dwell on what that could mean for his son. Duncan had spoken to Ramos, so Ramos knew exactly what was going on. He was the only one who needed to know.
The whine of the wind raiders came in fast, much faster than was considered safe, and that alone told Randor and Marlena how bad-off the two men were. Duncan was out before the engines had even stopped, and he and She-Ra gently lifted the stretcher out. Marlena's knees gave way as she looked at her son; if not for Randor's arm she would have collapsed.
Adam was nearly as pale as the white stretcher he was on. Duncan had covered him with bandages and a sheet, but the wound in his abdomen had turned the sheets into a bright red. A fine sheen of sweat covered Adam, and he was barely breathing.
"By the Ancients," Randor muttered. The healers took the stretcher from Duncan and She-Ra, who immediately went to help Lyn with Keldor. Teela climbed out of the wind raider shakily, and Randor automatically offered his arm to her, his gaze never leaving Adam.
Cringer crept out of the wind raider and stood nearby, his eyes too remaining on Adam. Swift Wind had landed in the hangar only a moment after the wind raiders; he went to Cringer and nudged him with his nose, doing his best to reassure the cat.
"He's a fighter, Cringer," Swift Wind nickered lowly. "He'll make it." Cringer's ears flattened against his head. He wasn't so sure.
She-Ra helped Lyn lower Keldor's stretcher and brought it beside Adam's. Ramos and several healers were working to re-bandage Adam's wound before moving him further. As they worked, Duncan came over and somberly took over the job of supporting, Teela, allowing Randor to step closer to She-Ra, who stood as close as she could to Adam's stretcher.
A few healers came closer to examine Keldor, but Lyn waved them away, her eyes bright. "You will find no serious injury on him. He has linked his strength and life force to Adam. Heal Prince Adam and Keldor will recover, but if you do not heal him soon even Keldor's added strength will not keep either alive."
"What does she mean?" Randor asked She-Ra. His heart lurched as he noticed his daughter's swollen eyes for the first time. He had never seen her cry that much.
"Adam was hurt so badly," She-Ra said, struggling to hold herself together, "I couldn't heal him. I tried, F- Your Majesty, I tried. But I couldn't." Tears streamed down her face as she lost the fight against them. "Keldor cast a spell that linked his strength to Adam, to keep him alive. Now, if Adam d-dies, they both die."
"Dies?" Marlena echoed in shock, stepping closer to the two of them. "Adam can't die, he's-" She recovered herself just in time, glancing over to the healers who were still bent over Adam. "Where's his sword?" she whispered at She-Ra. "That didn't cause this, did it? So it should-" She broke off as She-Ra shook her head.
"It's gone," She-Ra explained shakily. "Destroyed. He-Man is gone forever."
"But..." Randor protested, his eyes on Adam as the healers lifted the stretcher and prepared to move him. "But without Grayskull's magic..." He couldn't say aloud what they were all wondering in their hearts. How could Adam survive such a terrible injury?
Teela listened without hearing, numb. She couldn't think or feel. She knew Duncan was holding her up on one side, Lana on the other, but she didn't really feel their arms around her body.
She-Ra glanced over to Lyn, who was watching Keldor, alone, a baleful expression on her face and her arms wrapped around her midsection. "I think Adora needs to be here," she said brokenly. "M- Queen Marlena, can you please...?" She gestured towards Lyn, and Marlena nodded.
"Come, Lyn," said the queen, walking over and putting an arm around Lyn's shoulders. Marlena drew in a shuddering breath. "We'll wait right near their rooms."
Lyn nodded and followed the others in a silent march to the hospital wing. Tears fell down her face as she absently ran a hand over her abdomen. 'I need him, Truth," she pleaded silently.
The walk passed by her in a daze, and soon she was being guided into a chair in the large treatment room. She shook off her sorrow-filled stupor and stood, walked over to Keldor's bedside quickly. She pushed his hair back from his sweat-soaked brow. "You brainless bonehead, you had to be so noble," she muttered. She dissolved into silent tears and leaned over his chest.
Lana and Duncan eased Teela onto a couch, where she watched Lyn with a blank feeling, her parents flanking her on either side. A small part of her was jealous; Lyn was worried, but she got to stay next to Keldor and touch him. Meanwhile, she was sitting here, not knowing what was going on with Adam, while the healers operated on him and did whatever they had to do in the next room...Teela put a fist to her mouth to choke back a sob.
Duncan stood as Adora entered, and quickly went over to her. "I think perhaps we should ask the healers to be prepared to give Lyn and Teela sedatives," he said lowly. "They're both in shock. What the Blazes happened out there, Adora? "
Randor heard the last question and looked at his daughter. "Yes, Adora, what did happen to my son?" he asked in a thick voice.
"Does it matter?" Marlena asked, her voice harsh. "Knowing won't make any difference." She placed a hand on Lyn's back and rubbed it in a comforting motion.
Lyn began to shudder as she tried to control herself. "Adam was a hero. He took on Damien with all our help. It was supposed to be okay, he said it would be. But he was thrown from Damien's back," she managed to get out. "Keldor wouldn't let him go." She began to sob again. "I keep trying to send healing to both of them through Keldor, but they're both so weak it's not working."
"Shh," Marlena whispered. "It'll be okay." Duncan frowned, then slipped out the door to get the sedatives in case they were needed.
"Adam took Damien on by himself?" Randor asked to clarify it. Marlena might not care if she knew, but right now it was the only way he could deal with the waiting.
"Not exactly," Adora said. Hawk chose that moment to enter, and she went into his arms with relief, even as she continued to tell as much of the story as they all knew.
"Then where did that gaping hole in his side come from?" Randor demanded once she had finished.
Adora shook her head. "I don't know for sure Father, but when the snake crumbled, it did so right on top of Adam. Maybe one of the fangs caught him. I can't think of anything else sharp enough to take out a chunk of him like that." Her voice had slipped into factual mode, her experience as leader of the rebellion coming into play as she managed to deal with just the facts for a moment, and not the knowledge that it was her dear twin brother who lay close to death on the other side of the doors.
"He was impaled with a fang?" Randor repeated in horror. Marlena finally broke down into sobs of her own.
"I don't know," Adora reiterated.
Tears streamed down Lana's face. 'Why did this have to happen in my lifetime? Why did the prophecy have to be about Adam?'
Hawk glanced around. "How is Adam?" he asked.
"We don't know yet," Randor said heavily.
Hawk hesitated for a moment, then straightened up his back, one arm still around Adora. "Then forgive me, all of you, but why are you standing around as if he's dead? Adam needs you to be strong right now. He wouldn't want this for you--he would want you to have faith in him and in Good."
Marlena wiped at her eyes. "You're absolutely right, Hawk." She closed her eyes and said a silent, heartfelt prayer for Adam, feeling a peace enter her heart as she did so. Perhaps it was her imagination, but she thought the others also looked calmer when she finished.
Then the door opened. Ramos walked in with Duncan right behind, and they all turned as one to hear what the healer had to say.
Ramos observed the anxious looks all around as he took off the bloodied gloves he wore. "Adam's...critical, but stable, at least for now," he said slowly. "Frankly, there's no reason for him to be alive righ' now. It's goin' to be very touch-and-go for a while. I suggest you don' get your hopes up. He's not clear yet…and his chances of makin' it are…not good. You need to be prepared to say good-bye." His eyes looked suspiciously bright.
Marlena turned into Randor's arms, trying to be thankful for what little hope they did have. "At least he made it through the surgery," she said.
"Actually, my queen, it was mostly giving him blood transfusions, which will be constant for a while. There wasn' a lot of surgery to do," Ramos contradicted her. He frowned. "There are organs that are so damaged, I don' see how he can survive, but his body seems to be re-generating those organs, at a faster rate than anythin' I've ever seen. I can' explain it."
"Grayskull," Adora breathed.
"And I'm sure Keldor's spell had nothing to do with his healing at all," snapped Lyn.
"Unnn," groaned Keldor softly. Lyn looked into his face, her irritation forgotten as her husband's eyes fluttered open for a second before Keldor sank back into sleep.
"He opened his eyes," she whispered. Lyn began to pour healing magics into Keldor. "It's working. They are able to take more healing magic."
"Thank God," Marlena said weakly.
A few minutes later Keldor's color had improved, but Lyn had to be dragged away from Keldor when the spell stopped working.
"It's all you can do for now," Adora said gently. "The healers just said Adam evened out around a minute ago." Unfortunately, all that meant is that his vitals had stabilized again. Yet they were all still too low. He was too close to death for anyone's comfort.
Marlena joined Adora. "Lyn, you should let the healers check you as well."
Lyn shook her head. "I have to stay close," she said, her hand caressing Keldor's face. "In case they can take more healing."
"Can we see Adam yet?" Teela asked, her voice subdued.
Ramos hesitated. "Just you, for now, Princess Teela." He threw an apologetic look to the rest of Adam's family. "You'll have to wait until later, I'm afraid," he said.