The first rays of sunlight filtered through the thick fog that lingered on Neryth's outskirts, painting the city in shades of muted gold and gray. Despite the early hour, the safehouse was alive with energy. Rhael had called an emergency meeting with the group and the city's other defenders to discuss their next course of action.
Daniel, still grappling with the memory of the Abyss's voice, sat quietly at the far end of the table. His mind replayed the encounter over and over, the malice in those words burrowing into his thoughts like a parasite.
Mira's hand on his shoulder startled him from his reverie. "You're too quiet," she said softly, her tone laced with concern. "Are you still hearing it?"
He shook his head. "Not hearing it… just remembering. That voice wasn't just a warning. It felt like the Abyss itself reached into my mind."
"Don't let it consume you," she said firmly. "We've all been marked in some way, but we need you focused. You're our anchor, Daniel."
