(Damien)
The thought of Amelia carrying a child, our child, because some god said it was meant to be, sent a chill down my spine. It was a lot to take in, too much. But the look in her eyes told me that she was afraid, so I didn't want to make things worse.
I needed to process everything she had just revealed, but there was no time for that either.
The Grove of Echoes, the heart of the forest—it was all connected somehow. Vishnu, the tablet, the mark on my skin—it—was as if the universe had conspired to lead us to this moment.
"We need to find Sig," I said, my voice steadier than I felt inside.
"If there's any chance this Grove holds answers, then we can't waste any more time." Amelia nodded. Her face was still pale, and I could tell that she was still tired.
We left the infirmary as dusk began to settle, the fading light casting long shadows through the trees.
