Chapter Fifty-Three – The Echo Within

I collapsed to my knees as the stars vanished.

The realm reformed around me—slowly, like breath returning after drowning. I was back at the edge of the cliff, but everything felt… off. The colors were muted. The air buzzed with something unsaid.

Kael rushed toward me, dropping beside me with wide eyes.

"Sera! What happened?"

I looked at him, but the words refused to form. My lips trembled. Not from pain. From the weight.

"It saw me," I whispered. "And it… understood me."

Kael's hands tightened around mine. "Who? What did you see?"

"A being who lived where fate had no reach. It's ancient, Kael. Not evil, not good—just hungry for meaning. Hungry for creation. And I think…"

He tilted his head, concern darkening his gaze.

"Think what?"

"I think it sees itself in me."

Riven stepped closer, arms crossed. "That smile you mentioned… was it trying to charm you or claim you?"

"Neither," I said quietly. "It doesn't need to. It just waits. It knows desire is a slow burn. It knows I'm already changing."

Kael's jaw clenched. "You're not becoming it, Sera. You're stronger than that."

But I wasn't sure.

Because deep down, part of me wanted the power that being offered. Part of me wanted to tear down every wall that boxed in my choices, wanted to write a world where I could protect everything and everyone—even if it meant controlling it.

Even if it meant becoming more than human.

Kael placed a hand on my cheek. "We'll find another way. You don't have to carry this alone."

But that was just it.

I did.

Because whatever door I had opened in the Loom wasn't just letting things out.

It was also letting things in.

And one of them… was me.

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