Seraphina's POV:
With the sound of my name, a surge of hope flickered within me. If I were truly gone, would I be aware of anything? Would I hear my name being called? As the questions swirled in my mind, a newfound strength surged through me, pulling me back from the precipice of despair.
I mustered every ounce of willpower, straining against the unseen restraints that held me captive. Slowly, I felt a sensation returning to my limbs, and my vision began to adjust to the gloom. The darkness around me seemed to recede slightly, like a curtain being drawn back.
Suddenly, as if breaking through an invisible barrier, I found myself back in the physical world, lying on the ground beneath the shelter of an oak tree. The air was filled with the faint scent of earth and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. The reality of the moment washed over me, and relief flooded my senses—I was alive.
"Seraphina, are you okay?" Ethan asked with genuine concern, his voice breaking through the fog of my disoriented thoughts.
As I blinked and tried to gather my bearings, I realized that I was back in the physical world. The darkness of the abyss had faded, and I was no longer a silent observer in the council's meeting. Instead, I found myself lying on the ground, with Ethan crouched beside me, looking worried and relieved at the same time.
"I… I think so," I stammered, my voice shaky as I tried to sit up. My mind was still processing the surreal experience I had just encountered, the hidden secrets of the Council of Elders laid bare before me. But I couldn't divulge what I had witnessed; the council's words were not meant for my ears, and I didn't want to betray their trust even in this strange, ethereal realm.
Ethan helped me to sit upright, his hands warm and reassuring as he supported me. "You suddenly collapsed, and your eyes were vacant. I moved you under an oak tree for shelter.," he explained, his worry evident in his tone. "What happened? Did you see or experience something strange?"
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. "I… I'm not entirely sure," I replied, choosing my words carefully. "It felt like I was in some sort of dark void, and there were voices, echoes of conversations I couldn't fully understand."
Ethan furrowed his brows, concern deepening in his eyes. "Voices? What were they saying?"
"It was all fragmented and cryptic," I said, deciding to share only a fraction of the truth. "Something about the prophecy, and the council's concern about my destiny."
As we stood up, a flicker of memory from the strange realm crossed my mind—the distant whisper that called out my name. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to that voice than a mere echo. "Ethan," I began, unsure of how to articulate my thoughts.
He turned to me, his gaze gentle and attentive. "Yes, Seraphina?"
"I heard something in that place… a voice, faint and distant, calling my name," I admitted, wondering if he would dismiss it as a result of my disoriented state.
Ethan's expression shifted slightly, as if he was trying to make sense of what I had said. "You heard a voice? In that dark place?"
I nodded, the memory still lingering vividly in my mind. "It was like a whisper, but I couldn't tell where it was coming from. It felt different from the other voices, almost like someone was trying to reach out to me."
He looked thoughtful for a moment before responding, "Maybe it was a connection to the physical world, a way for you to find your way back."
The idea intrigued me. "You mean someone might have been trying to guide me back to reality?"
"It's possible," Ethan replied. "There's so much we don't know about this world and the connections between our realms. Maybe someone or something was trying to help you."
As I gathered my thoughts and sat up from the ground, I noticed the weariness etched on Ethan's face, and a pang of genuine concern washed over me. "What happened, Ethan?" I asked, my voice soft with empathy.
Ethan let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "It's just been a lot to process," he admitted. "I've been trying to make sense of everything that's happened, and it's taking a toll on me."
"I can understand that," I replied, empathizing with his struggle. "We've both been thrust into this strange world, and it's filled with so many unknowns."
He nodded, appreciating the understanding. "And what about you?" he asked, shifting the focus back to me.
I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words to describe my surreal experience. "When I was in that abyss, it felt like I couldn't move or speak. But amidst the darkness, I thought I might've heard your voice. You were yelling at someone, talking about your mother—the Queen."
Ethan's eyes widened in surprise as he took a step back. "My mother?" he repeated. "I... I don't remember yelling about her."
"It was all fragmented and confusing," I explained. "I couldn't grasp everything clearly, but your voice was there, echoing through the darkness."
He looked thoughtful, as if trying to piece together the puzzle. "My mother has always been a complex figure in my life," he mused. "She's powerful and influential, but there's also so much mystery surrounding her."
"I understand," I said, realizing that his mother being the Queen of this realm added another layer of complexity to his already confusing situation.
Ethan sighed again, the weight of his thoughts evident in his expression. "I just wish I had more answers," he admitted. "About my mother, about this prophecy, about everything."
As we sought shelter under the protective canopy of an ancient oak tree, we gathered twigs and stones, fashioning a makeshift camping ground. The air around us was filled with a sense of mystery and wonder, lingering from the ethereal realm we had just left behind. Despite the urgency of the questions tugging at my mind, I decided to set them aside for the time being and immerse myself in the present moment.