Chapter 23

The cold, suffocating grip of the ocean wrapped around Enlyan once more. Darkness. Water. Despair. She was drowning. She thrashed desperately, her voice hoarse from screaming. “No! Help! Somebody—please!” But no one came. No one saved her. Suddenly, a sharp gasp ripped from her throat. She was awake, but trapped in the nightmare. Her entire body was drenched in sweat, yet she felt as cold as ice. Her trembling hands reached out blindly, searching for something—anything—to hold on to. Mini caught her flailing hands and held them tightly. "Ely, it's okay. It’s me. You’re safe now. I'm here," she whispered, her voice filled with distress. But Enlyan wasn’t listening. She was still trapped in the past. Her breath hitched, and her fingers dug into Mini’s skin with desperate force. “It hurts! Help me! I can’t breathe—it’s suffocating!” Her nails pressed in so deep that Mini winced, feeling the sharp sting. But compared to the pain in her heart, the scratches were nothing. Mini had never full