Chapter 147: Embers in the Dark
Night fell over the ruins like a heavy shroud, swallowing the jagged landscape in darkness.
The only light came from a small, flickering flame, a fire conjured by Nero, hidden beneath the protective veil of his barrier.
The shimmering dome not only concealed them from wandering threats, but muffled their presence entirely.
To anything outside, they didn’t exist.
Nero sat cross-legged on the ground, wand resting loosely in his lap.
Across from him, the girl huddled close to the fire, her thin frame trembling despite the warmth.
Her eyes, hollow and distant, reflected the orange glow of the flames like dim lanterns.
The weight of despair still clung to her like a second skin, but Nero’s Occlumency shields held strong.
The emotional aura that radiated from her barely grazed his mental defenses.
By now, to Nero, it was just a faint background hum of sadness.
She hadn’t spoken since they left the battlefield.