The night after the Mirror Gate closed was eerily silent.
No celebration followed Elena's return. No cheers echoed from the Moonstone Sanctuary. Only stillness clung to the air like fog—as if the world held its breath, waiting.
Aria stood alone at the edge of the sanctuary's highest balcony, where moonlight spilled like silver rain over the forest. Her hands gripped the stone railing until her knuckles ached. Caleb's scent still lingered in her skin, in her hair, and her heart beat a rhythm only he had taught her to hear.
He had stayed behind. He had saved them all.
And now, he was lost.
Behind her, the sanctuary pulsed with activity—healers tending to Elena, the Circle preparing defenses, Solene consulting ancient scrolls. But for Aria, time stood still. She could hear none of it. Only the wind and the hollow echo of Caleb's promise:
"I'll find you. I promise."
A soft footstep behind her broke the quiet. Solene's voice followed, gentle and grave.