The stubborn mist finally dissipated, revealing a soft and ethereal light in the suffocating darkness. My eyelids felt like a lead hammer, but a quiet hissing nearby woke me up.

I forcefully opened the heavy lid. The hazy figure above became clear. Larna's eternal and wise face appeared before me as time passed. Her calm eyes emanated a soothing, maternal warmth. Ezra stood firmly beside her, frowning with concern that unexpectedly touched my heartstrings.

In this unexpected tenderness, a ...