Chapter 44: Seraphein

Nely opened her eyes slowly, her senses gradually returning to her. Pain radiated from her shoulders, sharp and insistent.

She found herself buried under a pile of fallen wood and rocks, first thing she did after waking up was to use Mindlink artefact *Dune?* she whispered but circle fell from her ear, it was broken. "No…damn it!".

As she shifted, trying to free herself, she realized the house around her was still in fire, the flames licking hungrily at the remnants of her home.

With a surge of adrenaline, Nely pushed the debris off her and scrambled to her feet, the heat of the fire pressing against her back as she fled the collapsing structure.

The cool night air hit her like a wave, and she paused, catching her breath and taking in the scene of devastation. Her home was almost entirely consumed by the inferno.