The dandelions continued circling, forming a slow, luminous current around them. Beyond the rotating veil of petals, the black fog pressed and twisted, but none of it crossed the boundary. The howls that had torn through their souls moments ago were now distant – muted, as though the world itself had drawn a curtain over them.
Inside the barrier, the soil became visible.
Bones lay scattered like forgotten relics of another age. Beast cores glimmered faintly beneath thin layers of dust.
Azriel slowly lowered his hands from Aizrel's ears.
His fingers trembled.
He leaned forward at once, ignoring the blood that had dried along his jaw.
"Aizrel…" He cupped her cheeks carefully. "Daughter, can you hear me?"
She blinked, dazed but conscious. "Father… I'm fine."
He frowned slightly, studying her face closely.
Her breath caught.
He was looking at her lips – not her eyes.
Understanding dawned slowly.
"Father," she said again, forcing steadiness into her voice.
