When Elara opened her eyes, the first thing she felt was silence. This time, the silence did not feel like a void; on the contrary, there was a movement within it. A slow, patient, and careful movement. As if someone was breathing for her, listening to the surroundings in her place. Her body was still heavy, her muscles were tired, but her mind was not the same as before. Something had changed, and this change was not only about power.
When she fixed her gaze on the ceiling, what she saw was not just a metal surface. Every line, every reflection looked sharper, more meaningful. Her senses had expanded. But this was not a recovery. This was a redefinition of control. Elara took a breath, but this breath was not alone. It felt as if it was being shared with another presence within her.
