The light faded—not suddenly, but like a tide retreating, slow and serene. Warmth lingered, humming gently in the bones of those inside like the embers of a dying flame refusing to go cold.
When vision returned, Alex found himself surrounded by fire.
But it wasn't burning.
A dome of fire—smooth, semi-translucent, and alive—encased them.
It wasn't a flame in the destructive sense. It shimmered like molten glass, flickering gold and orange, warm to the skin, yet causing no harm.
Beyond the fiery veil, the world was muffled. Reganath, Bahir, and the soldiers were pressed against the barrier, shouting and smashing their fists, yet unable to break through.
The ones outside couldn't even see what was going on inside.
Inside the dome, however, was silence.
The girl was still floating there—still and radiant—just a few feet in front of Alex, Zahara, Sophie, Lilia, and Mira.
