The countdown reached zero, and my vision slowly began to fade to black.
But this time, it wasn't instant like the previous simulations. This time, there was a moment—a single moment where Shadow remained visible.
She was crying.
Her massive dragon form trembled in the sky, tears streaming down her scaled face as if she could actually see the separation happening.
Her mouth opened, but the sound didn't reach me anymore. The world was becoming distant, muffled, like being pulled underwater.
I reached for her instinctively, my hand stretching out even though I knew it was futile.
Then—
I was jolted back.
My eyes snapped open, and I gasped for air . My body was drenched in cold sweat, my heart hammering against my ribs so hard it hurt.
I looked around frantically, trying to orient myself.
I was in my safe room. My real room.
My hands were shaking.
I fumbled for my phone on the nightstand, nearly dropping it twice before I managed to check the time.
Seven hours.
