**Chapter 2: The Edge of Eternity**

The beeping machines surrounding me grew fainter, and I felt myself drifting into a world of nothingness. I tried to grasp onto reality, but it slipped through my fingers like sand. Hange's face lingered in my mind, his eyes filled with a desperation that I'd never seen before. I wanted to reach out to him, to tell him that I was okay, but my voice was trapped in a prison of pain and paralysis. Time lost all meaning as I hovered between consciousness and the abyss. I was vaguely aware of the medical staff's efforts to stabilize my condition, their voices hushed and urgent. Hange's presence remained constant, a reassuring anchor in the turmoil. Days passed, or maybe it was weeks. I couldn't tell. My body remained frozen, a statue of suffering, while my mind wandered through a desolate landscape. I recalled fragments of my life with Hange: our laughter, our adventures, and our quiet moments together. The memories brought a sense of comfort, but also a deep longing to be whole again. One day, I sensed a subtle shift in Hange's demeanor. His grip on my hand tightened, and his eyes, which had been sunken with fatigue, seemed to brighten. I followed his gaze to a figure standing beside him – a woman with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair. She wore a white coat, and a stethoscope hung around her neck. "Levi's been taking care of you," she said, her voice gentle. "He's been by your side the entire time." Hange's expression turned stern, as if warning her not to say more. But the woman, seemingly oblivious to his cues, continued, "I've been working with the medical team to develop a treatment plan. We think we can help you regain some mobility, but it will take time and patience." A spark of hope flickered to life within me. I tried to speak, but my voice was barely a whisper. The woman leaned in, her ear inches from my lips. "I'll do everything I can to help you," she promised. "But you need to hold on, okay? Hange needs you." As she straightened up, Hange's eyes met mine, and I saw a glimmer of hope there, too. He squeezed my hand reassuringly, and I felt a sense of determination wash over me. I would fight to recover, to regain my strength and mobility, not just for myself, but for Hange. The woman, whose name was Dr. Rachel, began to explain the treatment plan in more detail. She told me about the surgeries, the physical therapy, and the rehabilitation process. I listened intently, trying to absorb every word. Hange remained by my side, his presence a constant source of comfort. As the days turned into weeks, I began to notice small changes in my body. My fingers twitched, and my toes moved ever so slightly. It was a start, no matter how small. I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, and it gave me the strength to keep going. Hange's face remained etched in my mind, his eyes filled with worry and fear slowly giving way to hope and determination. I knew that as long as he was by my side, I could face whatever challenges lay ahead. The road to recovery would be long and arduous, but I was ready to take the first step. With Hange's help, and Dr. Rachel's expertise, I knew that I could overcome even the darkest of obstacles. And as I lay there, surrounded by the beeping machines and the sterile smell of the infirmary, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I was not alone, and I would not give up.