When Mother-in-law becomes Mother: Part-3

Slowly, as the hours passed, Maelona remained motionless, too deep in slumber to notice the nightmare her own body was becoming.

Time slipped away, lost in the darkness of her unconsciousness.

She had no idea how long she had been asleep... Days, perhaps longer. But then, a voice shattered the silence.

"Elona? What are you doing in there? Aether needs our help! Come out!"

The voice was firm, slightly impatient, followed by a series of loud, forceful bangs against the door.

Maelona stirred at the sound, a groggy haze clouding her thoughts as she struggled to open her heavy eyelids. Her mind felt slow, as if she was trapped in a thick fog, her body refusing to wake up properly.

"arh" A groan slipped past her lips as she shifted slightly, feeling the stiffness in her muscles.

"Huh...? A-Aether...?" she mumbled under her breath, still half-asleep, her voice barely above a whisper.