Kiel
"What do you mean you can't move?" Varen's voice cut through the haze, sharp with panic and confusion. His brows were furrowed as he stared at me like I'd grown a second head. "Kiel. What the hell do you mean by that?"
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. My muscles were locked, like something had wrapped invisible chains around my limbs, rooting me to the ground. My jaw clenched as I struggled internally, trying to command my body to take a single step. Just one.
But I couldn't. I physically couldn't.
It wasn't fear.
It wasn't shock.
It was something else.
Something… ancient.
"I don't know," I rasped, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what's happening."
Then—just like that—the pressure eased.
The invisible weight lifted, and my body obeyed again. My legs gave way slightly, but I caught myself. I blinked and shook my head like I could physically shake off whatever the hell had just taken hold of me.
