章 36: The Heart of Darkness

"You're stronger than this, Alex. You have to be."

The words echoed in the void, reverberating in Alex's mind as if someone—or something—was speaking to them from afar. But no one was there. Just the endless dark. The Abyss was swallowing them whole, and the freezing cold gnawed at their very soul.

Alex clutched Sarah tighter, desperately trying to shield her from the invisible forces that tugged and pulled, threatening to tear her away. Her breath was shallow, barely detectable against Alex's chest. The warmth of life, the warmth that had once connected them, was slowly fading.

"No, not like this," Alex whispered, their voice raw with emotion. "You have to wake up, Sarah. You have to fight this with me."