The forest was quiet as Elyra, Dain, and Matthew retreated deeper into its embrace. The mill was now a distant memory, but the battle had left them all shaken.

Elyra glanced at Matthew, who was cradled in Dain's arms, his face pale and lined with pain. They needed to find shelter, but the thought of another attack made her stomach churn.

"We'll camp here for the night," Dain said, setting Matthew down carefully.

Elyra nodded, though sleep felt impossible. Her mind raced with images of the fight, of the red-eyed woman's smirk, and the terrifying power she had unleashed. She didn't understand it, but she knew it was a part of her now.

As Dain built a fire, Elyra sat nearby, staring into the flickering flames. "What if she's right?" she whispered.

Dain looked up, his expression unreadable. "About what?"

"About the King finding us. About us not being able to stop him."

Dain moved closer, his gaze intense. "We're not going to let that happen. I won't let that happen."

Elyra's chest tightened at the conviction in his voice. She wanted to believe him, but the weight of their situation was crushing.

That night, Elyra dreamed of a crumbling barrier between two worlds. A voice whispered through the void, chilling and familiar: "You must choose." She woke with a start, her heart pounding, to find Dain sitting nearby, his fiery eyes watching over her. "You were thrashing," he said softly.

"I'm fine," Elyra lied, brushing her hair back.

Dain's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he looked away. "Get some rest. I'll keep watch."noveldrama

Elyra lay back down, but her thoughts wouldn't quiet. The world they had known was slipping away, and the path ahead was more uncertain than ever.