After Victoria left Merlin was left alone for a while.
His body ached. Not the sharp, screaming kind of pain. Just dull, endless. His bones felt like they'd been hollowed out and filled with something too heavy.
'Still here…'
His throat was dry. His limbs heavier than he remembered.
And still—no mana.
Not even a flicker.
He reached inward again, slowly, searching for the edge of the familiar current.
Nothing.
His breath caught.
'Gone. Still gone…'
The knock was soft.
Then the door creaked open.
Elara stepped in without waiting for an answer.
She didn't speak at first. She just paused in the doorway, violet eyes scanning him like she was memorizing every inch of him. Like she wasn't sure if he'd vanish again.
Merlin met her gaze.
Didn't say anything.
She crossed the room.
"Can you stand?" she asked, voice low.
He shifted slightly under the blanket. The motion pulled at something deep in his back.
"I can try."
Elara didn't answer. She just offered her hand.
