WARNING: very long and detailed chapter.
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Im sorry child...

I wish I could have done more...

The Chains of Fate struck our sanctuary with a suddenness that felt like a cruel twist of destiny, shattering the fragile peace we once knew. In an instant, the sky darkened ominously, as if a great shadow had descended upon us, swallowing the light. The sun, once a bright beacon of warmth, transformed into a haunting crimson orb, casting an eerie glow over the panicked scene below.

Around me, chaos erupted. People stood frozen for a moment, their eyes wide with disbelief, before erupting into frantic motion. Shouts of terror pierced the air, mingling with the sound of children's cries, each wail a stark reminder of the panic that engulfed us. Faces, once filled with serenity, were now twisted in fear and confusion as they scrambled for safety.

In the midst of this turmoil, I caught a glimpse of an elderly woman caught in the throng. She was struggling to maintain her balance, her frail frame battered by the rush of bodies around her. I felt a surge of helplessness as I watched her get pushed aside, her hands clutching desperately at the air, seeking support that wasn't there. The scene unfolded like a nightmare, vivid and unsettling, leaving me to wonder how quickly our world had spiraled into this chaos.

My first instinct was to get Cassian to safety. Without hesitation, I scooped him up, holding him tightly against my chest as if he were a cherished teddy bear. I could feel his small heart pounding against me, mirroring my own frantic pulse. With urgency coursing through me, I dashed deeper into the forest, where the dense trees offered a semblance of shelter from the chaos erupting behind us.

I knew of a hidden glade, a secret haven that had always felt like a refuge from the outside world. As I ran, branches whipped past us, their sharp edges a reminder of the danger lurking nearby. My mind raced with thoughts of what lay behind us—the screams, the terror—and I hoped we could reach the glade before the chaos fully descended. The weight of responsibility pressed down on me, but I pushed forward, driven by the need to protect Cassian at all costs. Each step felt like a desperate plea for safety, for peace amidst the encroaching storm.

I could feel the world around me trembling and shifting as everything changed in an instant. The ground beneath my feet vibrated with a menacing energy, a prelude to the chaos that was unfolding. Without warning, people began to cry out as they were struck by chains that fell from the sky, cold and merciless. Those caught in their grasp suddenly stopped moving, their bodies going rigid as if frozen in time.

The chains glinted ominously in the dim light, wrapping around limbs and torsos with a terrifying precision. I could see the expressions of shock and fear etched on their faces, their eyes wide with disbelief as the reality of their situation set in. Others were not so fortunate; they were yanked off the ground, lifted into the air as though the chains had a will of their own. I watched helplessly as they disappeared into the roiling sky, their screams fading into the distance, leaving only an echo of despair behind.

The scene was surreal, a horrifying spectacle that felt like a twisted nightmare come to life. It was as if the very heavens had turned against us, raining down a wrath we could neither comprehend nor escape. My heart raced, a wild drumbeat of fear and urgency. All around me, chaos erupted as people struggled to flee, desperation etched in their frantic movements. I could see the strong trying to shield the weak, parents grasping for their children, but the chains had no mercy, severing connections and pulling loved ones apart.

In that moment, I felt a deep sense of foreboding wash over me. This was not just a calamity; it was an unraveling of our world, a catastrophic shift that threatened to consume everything we held dear. Each cry for help, each plea for mercy, tore at my heart, urging me to act, to fight against the tide of despair. As I clutched Cassian tightly, my resolve hardened. I had to find safety, to protect him from this unfolding nightmare, even as the shadows of our former lives faded into oblivion.

I was so overwhelmed by the chaos surrounding me that I hadn't noticed the chain hurtling straight toward me until it was almost upon me. Its twisted form shimmered with a sinister blend of red and black, a devilish glow that seemed to pulse with malevolence as it raced through the air. In an instant, it struck me directly in my only eye.

A wave of blinding pain erupted as the burning sensation seared through my head, sharp and unrelenting. It felt as though fire had taken root in my skull, consuming everything in its path. My vision blurred, the vibrant colors of the world around me melting into a haze of shadows and pain. I staggered back, instinctively bringing my hands to my face, desperate to comprehend the horror that had just unfolded.

The agony radiated outward, drowning out the sounds of chaos and despair that echoed in the background. Each pulse of pain seemed to echo with a cruel reminder of the chain's brutal power, leaving me gasping for breath as I fought to steady myself. My thoughts spiraled, caught in a whirlwind of confusion and terror, as I struggled to remain grounded in a world that was rapidly unraveling.

In that moment, it felt as though time had suspended itself, leaving me alone with the unbearable burning that coursed through my head. I was acutely aware of my vulnerability, exposed in a storm of violence and darkness, as I braced myself against the overwhelming sensation that threatened to pull me under. I had to find a way to break free from this torment, to escape the grasp of the chain that had ensnared me in its cruel embrace.

It was then that I became aware of Cassian's cries piercing through the haze of chaos. His small voice, filled with desperation, called out for help, a haunting sound that tugged at my heart. Panic surged within me as I frantically tried to locate him, scanning the surrounding darkness, but I couldn't see him. It was as if an invisible force had enveloped me, blinding me to everything except the suffocating blackness that surrounded us.

The world felt like it had collapsed into itself, collapsing around me in a shroud of despair. I strained my ears to catch any hint of his whereabouts, my heart racing as I fought against the disorienting void. The chaos and noise of the outside world faded into a dull roar, overshadowed by my mounting fear for Cassian's safety. I was overwhelmed, trapped in a nightmare where I could not reach him, and the thought sent a chill through my very core.

"Cassian!" I called out, my voice hoarse and strained, but it was swallowed by the darkness. I felt powerless, a desperate longing to comfort him battling against the crushing weight of my blindness. I could only imagine his fear, alone in this merciless storm. Each passing moment stretched into an eternity, amplifying my dread.

I took a shaky breath, willing myself to push through the blackness, to fight against whatever force kept me from finding him. I could not let fear paralyze me; I had to keep searching, to keep calling out for him, no matter how hopeless it felt. With every ounce of strength I had left, I shouted his name again, praying for a response that would guide me through the enveloping shadows.

Nothing...

I then heard Cassian's cries piercing through the darkness, a desperate plea that cut through the chaos like a knife. But just as his voice reached me, I heard the sickening sound of a chain connecting with someone—a harsh clang followed by a muffled gasp. My heart dropped as the realization hit me: it was too late.

I couldn't see him; the blackness engulfed me, wrapping around me like a suffocating shroud. The world had become an endless void, stripped of all familiarity and comfort. I felt helpless, trapped in this nightmare, the sounds of despair echoing all around me while I remained powerless to intervene. All I could do was hear Cassian's anguished cries for help, each one a haunting reminder of my inability to reach him.

Panic surged within me, intertwining with guilt and fear. I strained to listen, hoping against hope that he was still close, that I could somehow bridge the distance between us. The echoes of his cries filled the air, but they were also laced with terror—his voice trembling, as if he sensed the danger that loomed. My heart ached at the thought of him alone, vulnerable in a world turned chaotic and cruel.

"Cassian!" I shouted again, desperation clawing at my throat, but the darkness swallowed my words, leaving only silence in return. The sounds of the chains and the chaos continued to swirl around me, a cruel symphony of despair. I felt my breath quicken as I fought against the suffocating fear, determined to find a way to him, to protect him from whatever horror awaited. Even in the depths of this darkness, I refused to give up.

Then, suddenly, there was silence. The chaos that had engulfed us faded abruptly, leaving behind an unsettling stillness. The frantic cries and the clattering of chains disappeared, replaced by an eerie calm that blanketed the world. As the darkness began to lift, revealing the familiar landscape around me, a chilling realization settled in my gut: Cassian was gone.

I strained to listen, but all I could hear was the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds, an unsettling contrast to the terror that had just unfolded. Panic surged within me as I tried to grasp the reality of my situation. I reached out with my hands, feeling the cool, damp ground beneath my fingertips, searching for any trace of him, but all I found was emptiness.

The air around me was still, heavy with the scent of earth and the faint remnants of fear that clung to the atmosphere. I could sense the humidity lingering, the kind that filled the air before a storm, but there was no sound of Cassian's laughter or cries, nothing to reassure me that he was safe. My heart raced, a frantic drumbeat echoing in my chest as I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself against the rising tide of dread.

I strained to catch any hint of his presence, relying on the faintest vibrations in the ground, but everything felt eerily still. The overwhelming silence was suffocating, and I was acutely aware of my isolation. I could only hold onto the hope that somewhere, somehow, he was still out there, safe from whatever darkness had taken him.

And so I sat down on the cold ground of my once comforting forest, the familiar surroundings now imbued with a sense of loss. The stillness around me felt heavy, pressing against my thoughts. Exhaustion washed over me, and despite the uncertainty and fear, I succumbed to the need for rest. As I closed my eyes, the weight of the day settled in, and I drifted into a fitful sleep, hoping that when I awoke, I would find Cassian safe and sound...

But I could only hope...

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