Miria paced back and forth in her room like a caged animal, fists clenched and jaw tight. Frustration boiled inside her, impossible to contain.
"Why?! Why couldn't I kill him?!" she growled through her teeth, striking the air in rage.
Suddenly, a violent flash hit her. She saw herself in a burning cave. Teona, Nell, and Noreen lay on the ground, dead, their blood forming dark pools. Only Siobhan was still breathing weakly. Miria (in the memory) ran through the flames, knelt beside her, and pressed a cloth against her gaping wound, hands trembling.
"Hold on, Grandmother Siobhan… Hold on, please…"
Siobhan gripped her arm with surprising strength, coughing up blood.
"Promise me… Promise you'll bring Vareck back to reason…"
Miria was speechless, tears in her eyes. Siobhan continued, her voice hoarse:
"Miria… I know it's asking too much… But if there's even a small chance… a tiny glimmer of hope… then please, save him. Otherwise… destroy him."
Miria, overwhelmed, squeezed her grandmother's hand tighter.
"I promise, Grandmother Siobhan."
Siobhan gave one last grateful smile before passing away in her arms.
Miria snapped back to reality, gasping.
"So… it's because of that promise?! But no… but…"
Furious, she violently smashed her bedside table. The piece of furniture exploded under her supernatural strength, sending wood shards flying everywhere.
There was a soft knock at the door. Miria tried to compose herself and went to open it. Asher stood there, worried.
"Miria… what's going on?"
Miria tried to downplay it.
"Nothing…"
Asher immediately noticed her anger and troubled expression.
"You don't know how to lie. Not to me. What's got you in this state?"
Miria thought quickly: *I can't lie to him… He knows me too well… Fine, I'll play the half-honest card.*
She put on a resigned smile and lowered her head.
"You're right… It's just that I wanted to end things with Vareck once and for all. But now my powers are failing me… I wanted so badly to avenge my mother…"
Asher gently pulled her into his arms, enveloping her in a protective hug.
"I understand. But that's not how you'll do things right. Your mother would never have approved. And as for your powers… it's only been a few days. It's normal that they're still unstable. Don't worry, we'll get through this together."