Darian blinked, his body still tense against the chains binding him.
Ivaim, hanging helplessly above, watched in stunned silence.
His mind raced, trying to piece things together.
'What? What's happening?'
Darian clenched his fists.
"Mother, I've trained for this moment. Every battle, every sacrifice—it was all so I could be strong enough to qualify for the curse. Those were the conditions, weren't they? To be powerful, but compassionate. To be kind, but unyielding."
His voice grew more desperate.
"All so I could fulfill your wish... to bring Father back. So why are you stopping me?"
Neli let out a weary sigh, shaking her head.
"You really are a foolish son..."
Darian's jaw tightened.
"Foolish? I'm doing this because I love our family! Because I want to see you smile again! To give you back what you lost!"
Neli's expression hardened.