There were definitely tears. They strained out the corners of her eyes. One hand was shoved against her mouth, the other nowhere near steady. Even pressed up against Ji's bloodied form the hand was trembling like something awful.
Was he alive? He was alive, right? Elya couldn't navigate her hand to his chest or neck. He wasn't breathing, she couldn't find a heartbeat, what scarce patches of skin weren't soaked scarlet red were paler than snow.
Focus! Think! Breathe! Sobbing wouldn't save him. She had to take back control.
You're the strong one! You're the collected one!
You have power! Knowledge!
SAVE. HIM.
Elya broke.
Her body slumped, head hanging limp and shoulders arcing back. A cough of dirt, blood, and agony escaped her mouth: a pitiful sob. The tears left streaks across her dust-matted face. She was crying.
"S-someone... please..." Elya sucked in another shaky breath before sobbing it back out.