Vyan closed his eyes, a quiet breath slipping past his lips as his head came to rest on Iyana's shoulder. His weight felt like nothing in her arms, still, she adjusted her grip to make it more comfortable for him. Then, she began walking toward the shattered gates of the Grand Hall.
That's when she noticed it.
The fire.
It wasn't just one place—it was everywhere. Flames had begun catching along the fractured pillars, the torn tapestries, the broken remnants of battle-scarred walls. The Grand Hall was now a pyre-in-the-making, the very air thick with smoke and heat. If left unattended for some time longer, it would soon burn to the ground.
And in the corner of it all—Sienna's body, engulfed in flames.
Not ceremoniously placed, not mourned, not even acknowledged by anyone else.
Just burning, the fire eating through her with no resistance, as if the building itself wanted her gone.
Iyana halted. Just for a moment.
