Anne's spirit had broken. She no longer fought the tide of despair but surrendered to it, climbing onto Bungo's monstrous back as though it were the only path left. The beast's bark-like skin was rough beneath her hands, its breath hot and foul, but she did not resist.
She turned her head once, catching sight of Brittany on the ground—her face red, streaked with tears, her lips trembling but unable to form words. Brittany's eyes met hers, heavy with grief and the hollow sense of losing everything.
Anne forced a smile, a fragile mask to hide the emptiness inside, and rode forward toward the mansion. The fog swallowed her, leaving Brittany behind in silence.
Inside the mansion, Mrs. Hodgins stood tall, her presence commanding the dim chamber. She turned to Egry, her voice sharp and deliberate. "Look over Mira. See if she wakes."
Egry's cracked voice trembled. "Why… why do you even need her now?"
Hodgins' smirk widened, cruel and cold. "Because I want to send a message to the world."
The words struck Egry like a blade. Her eyes widened in terror, her breath caught. Hodgins left without another glance, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.
Egry rushed to Mira's side. Mira lay crippled, her body broken beyond recognition. Her eyes were filled with blood, her skin turning black-red as it swelled with collected wounds. She could not move, could not speak.
Egry fell to her knees, tears spilling freely. "Oh, I am so sorry, Mira. I am sorry." Her voice cracked as she took Mira's hand, trembling against the coldness of her skin. She summoned her white threads, weaving them desperately to bandage the wounds, but they failed—the injuries were too deep, too consuming.
Her sobs echoed through the chamber. She wasn't ready for this. She wasn't ready to lose Mira.
"I can't help anyone," Egry whispered, her voice breaking. "But there is one thing I promise you, Mira. No matter what… I will not let you die."
She pressed her forehead against Mira's shoulder, crying into her, her tears mixing with the blood. The mansion seemed to hold its breath, the promise hanging heavy in the air.
To be continued…