*Aiden’s POV*
The dense, silent forest surrounded me, a stark contrast to the turmoil within. Every rustle of leaves, every creak of a branch, sent a shiver down my spine, amplifying the isolation I felt. Nightmares, vivid and terrifying, had plagued my sleep for weeks, their intensity increasing since Calix's departure. The once comforting solitude had morphed into a haunting silence, a constant reminder of the emptiness that consumed me.
I questioned my sanity and my purpose. Why was I still here, lingering in this desolate place, a prisoner of my own despair? The Eternium had attacked, stealing Ember, my soulmate, and leaving me feeling helpless and alone. Guilt gnawed at me, a constant reminder of my failure to protect her. I yearned to find a way to reach her, to free her from their clutches, but the path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty, a labyrinth of doubt and fear.