The chamber was falling apart.
Metal screamed as the walls split open, sparks raining from broken circuits while waves of unstable energy pulsed through the air like a heartbeat on the verge of stopping.
Everything was collapsing.
Everything—except the moment between them.
Emily hovered in the center of chaos, golden energy wrapping around her like a living storm, her chest rising and falling unevenly as the creature's words echoed inside her mind.
Balance… or destruction.
Her fingers trembled.
Her thoughts spiraled.
But through all the noise—
Through all the fear—
There was one thing that anchored her.
Alexander.
He stood below her, battered, breathing hard, his shirt torn and stained with dust and blood—but his eyes never left her.
Not even for a second.
"Emily," he said again, his voice quieter this time, but stronger.
Steadier.
"Come back."
The words weren't a command.
They were a plea.
Her heart clenched painfully.
"I don't know how…" she whispered.
