Chapter 8: The Caged Healer
---
> "You don't know fear until your gift becomes your prison."
— Kain Everhart, Caged Healer
---
The boy they saved introduced himself quietly:
"My name is Kain. I… used to be a Church novice. When my healing awakened, they called it 'Unstable.' I was taken."
He had dark rings under his eyes. His hands trembled — not from weakness, but from years of suppressing his gift.
Lyra wrapped him in a cloak. "You're safe now."
Rael asked, "What kind of magic do you use?"
Kain hesitated… then raised his hand.
A faint green-black light pulsed. "Decay Heal."
Rael's eyes widened.
> "You heal… by breaking apart death itself?"
"I've never seen anything like that."
Kain looked down. "That's why they locked me up. They said I was cursed."
Rael knelt in front of him.
"Then you're one of us."
---
Later That Night — Campfire
> 🔓 Team Formed: Rael (Sanctified Healer) / Lyra (Relic Caster) / Kain (Decay Healer)
As they sat under the stars, Rael finally smiled.
"I was alone when I started this. Now I've got a relic caster and a death healer on my side. We're the weirdest party in this world."
Lyra chuckled. Kain laughed weakly.
"But we're alive," Rael added. "And soon… we'll be legends."
---