The day passed.
Sonder barely left the cave. When she did, it was only to gather water or pluck more herbs from the meadows.
Each time she returned, she feared to find Vell's chest still, the faint thread of his breath finally cut. But every time, he endured.
On the third night, she sat cross-legged beside him, her head bowed low. The fire had burned down to embers, painting the cave in hues of red and shadow.
She had almost drifted into the rare gift of sleep when she heard it-
A murmur.
Her eyes snapped open.
She leaned close to Vell, close enough to feel his breath on her cheek.
His lips moved. Dry, cracking, but moving.
"…yellow…"
The whisper was so faint she thought she had imagined it.
Then came more sounds, broken syllables dissolving into nothing. His throat strained with the effort, his body shuddering once in pain.
She grasped his hand, anchoring him to her, then felt it. Something sharp pressing against her palm.
A jagged point pushed through the skin of his hand.
Bone.
It grew, inch by inch, forcing its way out as though his body could no longer contain it.
Vell's face twisted in silent agony, sweat beading on his brow, until at last the thing slid free into her grasp.
A length of bone, ridged with faint markings.
Sonder's heart hammered. She didn't know what it was. She didn't want to. But Vell's eyes fluttered, unfocused, and his lips shaped a final whisper.
"…break…"
She tightened her grip on the bone. She didn't know exactly what he wanted her to do, but she trusted the word.
Before doubt could root her in place, she snapped it in two.
The sound echoed like a bell, low and resonant, reverberating through the cave walls.
The fire guttered out. For an instant all was darkness.
And then: light.
A figure stood in the mouth of the cave.
Tall, robed in yellow from head to foot. The fabric shimmered faintly with light that wasn't there, folds hiding every trace of skin.
Even the face was hidden, masked and veiled by yellow cloth, a faceless watcher drawn in hues of gold.
Sonder stumbled back, clutching the broken halves of bone.
It reminded her of the Irath King, and all she could do was shake.
The figure did not move. Did not speak.