Darkness.
It surrounded Lyra like a thick veil, pulling her down into an abyss where time ceased to exist. Her body felt weightless, her mind drifting in and out of consciousness. She couldn't tell where she was or what was happening, but somewhere in the distance, she heard the sound of voices—faint and muffled, like echoes in a deep cave.
Suddenly, there was light.
Blinding, searing light that pierced through the darkness and flooded her senses. Lyra gasped, her eyes snapping open as she was pulled back into reality. Her heart raced in her chest, the remnants of the overwhelming power still tingling beneath her skin. She blinked rapidly, trying to focus, her vision blurred and disoriented.
The first thing she saw was Kael.
