Pain.
That was all that existed now.
Seraphina lay on the cold stone floor, her body still trembling from the electric shock. Every muscle ached. Every nerve felt raw and exposed. Her mind struggled to grasp what was happening, but coherent thought was impossible.
There was only agony, radiating from the collar around her neck and spreading through her entire being. She tried to move. Her arm twitched. Fresh pain shot through her, and she gasped, her body curling in on itself.
What was happening to her?
Through her blurred vision, she saw the mysterious, cloaked figure approach. They knelt beside her, so close she could have touched them if she had the strength.
Then they began to chant. The words were different this time—harsher, more guttural. Each syllable felt like a physical blow. The air around them grew heavier, pressing down on Seraphina's chest until she could barely draw breath.
The chanting grew louder. Faster. More intense.
