Steam rose from the small bathing room, filling it with a thin white mist.
Elysia stood beneath the warm stream of water, letting it wash over her bruised skin.
Each droplet stung, tracing the trails of pain across her back, shoulders, and arms.
Her hands trembled as she reached for the side of the tub, steadying herself.
The battle replayed again and again inside her head — Ethan's magic surging toward her, the ground splitting beneath her feet, and finally, the collapse of her body into darkness.
She let out a slow, heavy breath.
"Pathetic," she whispered to herself. "I was too weak again."
"And that's what he did to Jin and Cecelia too"
When the water turned icy, she finally shut it off.
She grabbed a towel, dried her body, and walked to her bed without any clothes.
The moonlight shone softly through the curtains, bathing her pale skin in silver light.
Elysia looked at the small vial of healing potion resting on her table.
