Alaric stood in the liminal space between memories, watching time flow around him like river he couldn't touch.
Brandon had left. Stepped through Lilith's portal into whatever training awaited him. And the memories should have followed him there.
Should have shown the trials, the growth.
But they didn't.
Instead, Alaric remained here. In the demon palace. Watching the pieces Brandon left behind struggle with his absence.
---
Serana stood in Brandon's empty chambers, one hand pressed to the doorframe as if steadying herself.
The room was exactly as he'd left it. Bed unmade from hasty departure. Clothes still in the wardrobe, the ones he hadn't packed. Training equipment stored neatly in the corner.
She'd come here every day since he left. Just... stood in the doorway. Breathing in air that still faintly carried his scent.
"You could have said goodbye," she whispered to the empty room. "Just... a word. Or a hug."
My boy.
