PROFESSOR BLACK (ZED) POV
The moment I saw her jump over the rail, something inside me tore apart.
It felt like a piece of my soul ripped free, leaving my chest hollow and burning. I didn’t even realize I was screaming until my throat started to ache.
“Mara!”
The name tore out of me raw, broken.
I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate.
Before Rugar could even take a step, I leapt.
The sea swallowed me whole, cold and violent, but the fire in my chest burned hotter than the water around me. The current yanked at my mask, ripping it free, but I didn’t care.
Nothing mattered.
I squinted through the water, my vision blurring,
Then I saw her.
She was sinking. Her body limp. Her eyes closed.
“No… no, no, no—”
I swam harder, faster, muscles screaming in protest. I reached her just in time,
