The rest of the morning felt suffocating.
No matter what I did, the nightmare kept replaying behind my eyes—Amber's voice echoing in the darkness, her eyes glowing red like blood on fire, the cold blade piercing through my body, and Abby dissolving into black smoke.
Every breath felt heavy.
Every heartbeat was a reminder of how helpless I had been.
I couldn't endure it any longer.
I couldn't stay weak.
If Amber could reach me in an illusion… then she could reach me in reality.
And if that happened—
I needed to be ready.
So I made a decision.
I would train again.
Harder.
Smarter.
Stronger than before I ever left the Elders' Haven.
I slipped through the corridor quietly, making sure no guard and no one—especially Aldus—noticed me. This wasn't something I could explain to him. Not yet. Not until I understood myself again. Not until I felt strong enough to face the truth.
I needed help.
I needed answers.
I needed Florita.
