"Lyra? Lyra?" Mrs Coulter asked as she rolled over in the dirt and saw Lyra struggling for breath. She was covered in blood and gasping for air. "Lyra," She said again and she started crawling towards her.
"What…?" Asriel said as he came to and looked around him. "Marisa?" He asked as he saw her. Then he looked beyond and saw Lyra. "Lyra," He whispered and Marisa reached her daughter.
They had been falling into the abyss. Now, they were here and Lyra was gravely wounded.
"Marisa?" Asriel asked as he stood up and staggered to her. She had her hands on Lyra and she was both shaking and crying.
"She's dying…" Marisa said quietly as blood covered her hands.
"Lyra," Asriel said and he fell to his knees. Both their dæmons were unconscious and Asriel and Marisa were weak themselves.
"She… her pulse is almost gone," Asriel said as he felt it.
"We have to… we have to save her…" Marisa said, feeling utterly helpless.
"We will. Are you alright?" Asriel asked Marisa and tears fell down her face. She nodded and Asriel paused. "Metatron is destroyed. The war is won," Asriel said slowly. "We must return to my…"
"That will take days."
"We have no choice. Argh," Lord Asriel groaned as he picked Lyra up and started walking. Mrs Coulter went and woke her dæmon. She then lifted Stelmaria into her arms and followed Asriel.
They returned and were seen to. Serafina Pekkala took care of Lyra until her parents could return to her.
Mrs Coulter was wounded and Asriel stayed with her until she was well enough to come to their daughter. She sat with Lyra while Asriel set about returning his daughter to health.
Her wounds were deep, and the skill required was immense. Asriel worked day and night until Lyra finally awoke.
"...ather?"
"Lyra," Asriel said softly before he looked at her and smiled a little. "Rest," He said before he got something and passed it over her chest. Lyra looked to her side and saw Mrs Coulter asleep beside her.
"As… real…"
"Lyra?"
"Coulter… Coulter…"
"Shhhhhh. It's alright," Asriel said as she came to Lyra. She was pointing and had wide eyes. She was scared. "Lyra, you're safe."
"She…"
"Marisa means you no harm," Asriel said and Lyra's gaze softened.
"Marisa?"
"Yes. We mean you no harm Lyra. We fell. Then we were with you, and…"
"Will?"
"I have a search party out looking for him."
"I…"
"You're at my base. The war is won."
"War?" Lyra asked before she closed her eyes.
"You are not well. Rest Lyra."
"I was so… proud…"
"Are you not proud?"
"You fell… from where?"
"The clouded mountain. Into the abyss. We were dying Lyra," Asriel said and Lyra opened her eyes to look at him.
"Dying…?"
"Dying. Marisa. Your Mother. Mrs, Coulter. She was wounded worse than I and…"
"You said you were with me?"
"We awoke. You were on the ground, injured. I carried you here. I had no choice."
"Mrs… Coulter?"
"She has been with you for 12 days. We have changed Lyra. You are our life. We understand that now. I am sorry."
"I am sorry also," Marisa said and they both looked at her.
"Marisa?"
"Mother…" Asriel and Lyra said and Marisa moved slowly as she woke up.
"Lyra I… I made some bad choices. I love you. I have hurt you, and I am sorry. I hurt myself sometimes," Marisa said before she looked at her dæmon. Lyra followed her gaze and her dæmon went to Lyra.
"It hurts."
"I can give you something for the pain," Asriel said before he got a syringe.
"Trust… Why should I trust you?" Lyra asked and Asriel paused.
"You shouldn't," Marisa said. "Lyra. We fell into the abyss in your name. We were dying. For you."
"For me?"
"I am proud of you Lyra," Asriel told her. "Very proud. You are extraordinary. I should have realised this earlier."
"We should have been better."
"We are sorry." Asriel said and Lyra paused before she offered her arm. Asriel gave her the drug and she relaxed.
"Please…" She whispered, opening her hand. Marisa took it and kissed it. Asriel kissed her forehead. Lyra smiled and fell asleep.
Days passed and Lyra improved. Asriel helped her to walk and Marisa supported her. Together they got her well and when Will returned, Lyra was overjoyed.
"Lyra, can you walk?"
"No. I need help."
"Ok, I'm here," Asriel said as he took her arm. "Stand up slowly. Good. Breathe deeply."
"I… can't…"
"You can. Breathe," Asriel instructed and Lyra did so. "Good. Now relax, I have your weight. Stand. Good girl," Asriel said and Lyra took a step. "That's good."
"I'm sorry."
"About what? … Lyra? Are you alright?"
"You killed him…"
"Who?"
"Edward… … Asriel, I'm sorry."
"About what?"
"I said that you never loved me. Dad…" Lyra said before she fell and Asriel caught her.
"Lyra?"
"Your love is deep. Thank you."
"I am sorry Lyra. I have done much to help you. Lyra, my work was… it's changed everything. I am sorry about Roger."
"Asriel," Lyra said before she became serious. "You murdered him."
"I know."
"I separated from Pan."
"Your mother and I were scared. Lyra…"
"You saved my life."
"When?"
"When I was a baby. Edward came to kill me and you killed him first."
"I did what I had to."
"You saved my life."
"Lyra, I have done many terrible things in my life. When Marisa and I saw you on that plane… we gave our lives for you, and by some miracle we survived. You are important, Lyra. You are my daughter. I protect you, that is my role. Now, can you stand?"
"No. I am tired."
"I've got you," Asril said and he lifted Lyra up. He carried her to the bed and laid her down.
"My mother. Where is she?"
"I'll fetch her."
"Asriel," Lyra said and Asriel stopped. "Thank you. For everything."
"You are everything. To both of us."
"Congratulations," Lyra said and Asriel looked confused. "For winning your war," She said and Asriel smiled.
"You have no idea Lyra."