As Asher stirred from his meditative state, Merina swiftly rushed to his side, her eyes filled with concern and curiosity. The rustle of her skirts seemed to echo her racing heartbeat.
"Master," Merina began hesitantly, her voice gentle and lilting, "have you succeeded in your reaping quest?"
Her gaze was filled with a mixture of admiration and caution as she held out her hand to help him up.
He took her hand, feeling the warmth of her touch, and allowed her to assist him as he rose to his feet.
"I actually failed the quest," Asher's response caught Merina off guard, causing her eyes to widen in disbelief. It was hard for her to imagine someone as capable as him failing at anything, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for him.
