The world didn’t end when Nyra left the forest.
It just changed shape.
The storm—violent, endless—began falling away as Kael walked her out of the clearing. He didn’t drag her or chain her. He didn’t speak a command. Somehow, it felt like the choice had already been made for her a long time ago, before she’d even thought to refuse.
She kept going, step after step, because stopping felt worse than continuing.
Behind her, the kneeling beast stayed put.
Behind her, the army didn’t move.
But their silence stuck to her, heavy and sharp, like eyes pressed against her skin. They didn’t feel left behind—they felt removed, as if she’d been plucked from one reality and dropped straight into another.
Kael moved beside her—close, but not touching. He didn’t push, didn’t encourage her, but alway
