Inside the ring, there was no explosion, no ruins, and no sign of the chaos consuming the Capital.
The inner world remained silent, white, and seemingly infinite, with that almost complete absence of a horizon that made distance lose part of its meaning.
Victor sat cross-legged on the ground, his physical body unconscious somewhere outside, while Rowena stood a few steps in front of him, completely still.
For the first time since he had met her, she seemed to have absolutely nothing to say.
Her mouth was slightly open.
Victor waited.
Rowena blinked a few times, closed her mouth, and swallowed hard before finally managing to organize her thoughts.
"So…"
"Yes."
"You died."
"Yes."
"And came back."
"Yes."
"To before everything happened."
Victor nodded.
Rowena dragged both hands over her face.
"Fuck."
He let out a small laugh.
She started pacing back and forth.
"Now I understand."
Victor followed her movements with his eyes.
"Understand what?"
