Emory's POV.
I wake up in a quiet place.
My eyes flutter open slowly, taking their time to adjust to the bright light that I find myself surrounded by.
But to my surprise, the light doesn't hurt them when they finally open.
This is a strange place.
Somehow, I know that I am alone, but I'm not scared. This place feels safe - serine almost. If I could explain to someone what true, lasting peace looks like, it would look like this.
Empty and exceptionally bright, but beautiful in a way that is not of this world. There's a gentleness here - the kind of feeling that makes you want to close your eyes and stay forever.
But... how did I get here?
I remember something - vaguely. The sun, warm on my skin. Faces smiling, some of them crying, but they weren't sad. Hope walking toward Malakar.
