Sarah's words echoed in Jack's mind as they sat in Dr. Peter Morison's office. The smell of antiseptic filled the air, a stark reminder of why they were there.

"They say I have cancer," Sarah had told him earlier, her voice trembling. "But Jack, you need to understand what this means for us. If one of us dies, the other will too. It's not just a fantasy; it's real. My father experienced it firsthand."

Jack held her hand tightly, his eyes never leaving hers. "We're in this together, Sarah. No more hiding."

Dr. Morison's voice brought them back to the present. "We've attempted multiple rounds of chemotherapy," he explained, his tone serious. "Unfortunately, it has not been effective. Another round is unlikely to produce different results."

Jack felt desperation wash over him. "Are there any other options? If money wasn't an issue, what could we do?"

Dr. Morison paused before responding. "There are a few experimental treatments available, but they have not been proven successful yet. There is one that looks promising in some ongoing experiments being conducted in Zürich, but there are no guarantees."

Sarah grimaced at the mention of Zürich, but Jack pressed on. "Can we at least get a second opinion? Just to see what other doctors have to say?"

To their surprise, Dr. Morison readily agreed. "In fact, that's the first thing I recommended last year," he said, pulling out a pamphlet. "This is from the Cancer Research Center. See Dr. Lucas Bennett - I trained under him. He's one of the best."

Sarah hadn't wanted to see anyone else when Peter first suggested it, but now she wouldn't be alone. She squeezed Jack's hand. "Okay, let's try."

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of appointments and tests. At the Cancer Research Center, Dr. Bennett ordered a series of advanced scans and biopsies. Each procedure left Sarah more drained, both physically and emotionally. Jack remained by her side, his own anxiety growing with each inconclusive result.

"I've never seen anything quite like this," Dr. Bennett admitted during one of their follow-up appointments. He pointed to the latest scan results. "The tumors seem to... shift. It's as if they're playing hide and seek with our equipment."

Jack and Sarah exchanged a knowing glance. They both suspected what was really happening, but how could they explain it to the doctors?

Desperate for answers, they sought out other specialists. They traveled to renowned hospitals across the country, each visit filled with hope that quickly turned to disappointment. The pattern repeated itself: initial scans showed promise, only for follow-up tests to reveal the cancer's stubborn persistence.

At a cutting-edge facility in Houston, they met with Dr. Elena Rodriguez, an oncologist known for her work with rare cancers.

"Your case is... unique, Sarah," Dr. Rodriguez said, her brow furrowed as she studied the latest test results. "The cancer cells behave unlike anything I've encountered before. They seem to adapt and evade our treatments in ways that defy conventional medical understanding."

Sarah's shoulders slumped. She was tired of being a medical mystery. Jack squeezed her hand, feeling equally frustrated and helpless.

"Is there anything else we can try?" Jack asked, his voice strained.

Dr. Rodriguez hesitated. "There's an experimental immunotherapy trial that might be suitable. But I have to warn you, the side effects can be severe, and given the unusual nature of Sarah's condition, I can't predict how effective it would be."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

They left the hospital, both lost in thought. As they walked through the parking lot, Sarah suddenly stopped.

"Jack," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't do this anymore. These doctors... they don't understand what's really happening to me."

Jack nodded slowly. He had been thinking the same thing. "You're right. We need someone who understands both the medical and the... other aspects of your condition."

Sarah's eyes lit up with a memory. "There's someone my mother once saw. A healer who understood both magic and human physiology. Maybe she could help us make sense of all this."

For the first time in weeks, Jack felt a glimmer of hope. "Where can we find her?"

"It's a long shot," Sarah warned. "But I think I know where to start looking."

They decided to forego any further conventional medical treatments. Instead, they embarked on a journey to find the mysterious healer Sarah remembered from her mother's stories. It was a risk, but after weeks of fruitless medical visits, they were ready to explore alternative options.

Their search led them to a small, nondescript house on the outskirts of a rural town. As they approached the door, Jack felt a strange tingling sensation, as if the air itself was charged with an otherworldly energy.

An elderly woman with knowing eyes greeted them. Without introduction, she ushered them inside, as if she had been expecting their arrival.

"You've come about the cancer that isn't cancer," she said, her voice soft but firm.

Sarah and Jack exchanged surprised glances. How did she know?

The healer gestured for them to sit. "Your condition, my dear," she said gently, fixing her gaze on Sarah, "is the result of something far more complicated than what any doctor could understand."

Her voice was low, laced with concern. "I’m afraid it’s the magic and your human DNA working against each other," she murmured, eyes clouded with worry. "It’s trying to ‘purge’ itself, to cleanse what it perceives as unnatural."

Sarah sighed, her shoulders drooping. “What do we do?”

“What can we do?” Jack pressed, his tone strained with desperation.

The healer fell silent, as if weighing her words carefully. “When magic and the mundane mix, we can only soften the effects. We can’t stop it completely,” she admitted. Then, looking between them, she hesitated before adding, “Your souls are already entwining. That’s what’s buying you time.”

The healer nodded slowly. “It’s a bond—one that can share strength, but... if it’s completed, it will come at a price. Sarah’s life may be extended, yes, but Jack’s would be shortened. One will be sustained at the expense of the other.”

“I won’t let him sacrifice himself for me!” Sarah cried, her voice breaking as tears filled her eyes. “I won’t let you do this, Jack. I can’t.”

The healer’s expression softened. “It’s already begun. It’s real. But it can still be undone—if you choose.”

Sarah took a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry, Jack,” she whispered, shaking her head. “I love you, but I can’t finish it. I can’t be the reason you give up more of your life.”

Jack wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as his chest tightened painfully. “It’s okay,” he murmured, stroking her hair. “I understand.”

As they left, Sarah’s tears returned in full force. “I just want to go home, Jack,” she choked out, her voice breaking. “I’m so tired.”

Jack’s heart ached, but he nodded, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Okay,” he whispered. “We’ll go home.”

Back on the porch, they sat together, watching the sun sink low on the horizon. Jack held her hand tightly, his grip a silent promise.

“No matter what happens,” he said softly, “we’ll face it together.”

Sarah leaned into him, tears drying on her cheeks. “Thank you, Jack… for staying.”

He nodded, his voice barely a whisper. “One day at a time. Together.”

They sat in silence, accepting the half-formed bond that bound them. It wouldn’t unravel, and they would bear the weight of it for as long as they could. But for now, they had each other. And that would have to be enough.