Morgana opened her eyes.
Gray.
Nothing but gray.
No walls. No ceiling. No ground.
Her body was naked and shiny. She couldn't tell whether she was standing, floating… or simply existing in between.
The space was unnervingly still. No air. No movement. Only distant echoes, warped and far away, like sounds that no longer belonged anywhere.
She clenched her jaw, irritation flickering beneath the exhaustion.
"What is it now?!" she snapped quietly.
"Why do I always end up in some damn places—right when I'm finally about to do it?"
She tried to move but nothing responded.
Her arms didn't rise. Her legs didn't exist in any way that mattered.
When she tried to turn her head, she realized she didn't need to. She could see around her—behind her—from impossible angles, as if direction itself had lost meaning.
Finally she was able to reached for her glowing chest. Her hand passed straight through. No resistance. No sensation. Like her body was nothing more than scattered light—form without substance.
Strangely, she didn't panic. She was too tired for fear.
"…Damn it," she murmured.
"I don't feel anything. No weight, no pain… nothing but thoughts."
A pause.
"And these echoes."
She went quiet for a moment of realization. Then, slowly, a faint smile touched her lips.
"But this time…"Her voice steadied, fragile but certain.
"This time, I really did it."
She closed her eyes and let out a long breath, allowing her head to tilt back, her form loosening as if gravity no longer mattered.
"It's not like before," she whispered.
"This time… I succeeded. The experiment has begun. He should be back by now."
She opened her eyes just a little. They were wet.
"Once enough time passes for the reconstruction…" Her voice wavered.
"Dorvy will come back."
A single tear slipped free. Her words trembled, breaking into a soft, unsteady sob.
"I know you'll come back and save me, Dorvy… You won't be angry when you find out I saved you… will you?"
Her head lowered slowly, exhaustion pulling her inward as her lightless body slackened.
"I'm sorry, Dorvy…" she whispered.
"Please… get me out of here... bring me back to you."
*************
Moriana leaned heavily against Gord's solid shoulder, struggling to bring life back into her legs. She dragged her feet through the muck and grime of Valdar's alleys, each step a quiet battle she was clearly losing.
She kept grumbling under her breath, panting and sweating despite the cold.
"Fuck…" she hissed."It's like walking on the air. I can't even use Exim on myself."
Gord's grip on her arm stayed firm and steady. When he spoke, his voice was calm, unchanged.
"Why don't you let me ask your parents for hel—"
Moriana cut him off with a low growl.
"Don't you dare suggest that again. I've had more than enough of those two… idiots"
Across the alley, Zarius and Hyran were sprawled at a small sidewalk table, drinks in hand.
Zarius took a long swig from his bottle before calling out lazily,"Still here, Moriana? Watch your step—I saw a dog peeing there earlier."
He tipped the bottle again. Empty.
Zarius chuckled to himself and glanced at Moriana with a grin."Looks like our bet's ending soon, Hyran."
Hyran leaned back, flashing his fangs as he glanced over his shoulder at Moriana and Gord.
"Not again…" he scoffed."Should I put food at the end of the alley to motivate that useless failure to crawl faster?"
Zarius snorted.
"Don't be stupid. This bet doesn't even need a loser. The way she looks, all covered in dog piss, is victory enough."
Hyran burst into harsh, grating laughter."You're damn right!"
Moriana's head snapped toward them, her glare cutting straight through her exhaustion. Her teeth clenched as raw defiance surged through her veins.
She shoved Gord aside, forcing herself forward.
"Enough!"
Her legs gave out. She hit the ground hard—hard enough to make Zarius and Hyran laugh even louder.
As Gord moved to help Moriana, Hyran's laughter stopped. His grin faded.
He rose and turned his massive body toward Zarius.
"That's enough," Hyran said, his voice low and stripped of humor.
Zarius raised an eyebrow."What? Can't handle a little more fun?"
Hyran leaned closer, his voice dropping to a cold whisper.
"Do you really think this is the time for fun? Or you're just hiding from the truth?"