In the Asher's living room
Asher suddenly raised his hand to his head.
A searing pain shot through him.
— Asher? Diana asked.
He wavered.
—What the—?
A strangled cry escaped him.
He collapsed.
— ASHER! Katrina yelled.
Everyone rushed towards him.
— Wake up!
— Asher!
— Hey, open your eyes!
But he didn't answer.
Then—
The silence.
And a white world.
Asher slowly opened his eyes.
Everything around him was light.
Empty.
Infinity.
He sat up, disoriented.
- Or… ?
A gentle voice sounded in the distance.
— Asher…
His heart sank.
He turned around.
Miria stood there.
—Miria?!
He ran towards her, relieved and worried at the same time.
But he stopped abruptly.
Something was wrong.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"You… don't love me anymore?"
Asher stood petrified.
- What ?! No ! Of course not!
His voice cracked.
- There's only you for me!
Tears ran down Miria's cheeks.
—Then why did you abandon me?
His voice trembled.
— Why this letter... where you said you were leaving me?
Shock coursed through Asher.
—That letter…it wasn't me!
He shook his head.
— I swear it to you on my life. I never left you.
He approached slowly and took her hands in his.
His eyes staring into his.
—It's Ray… He pretended to be me.
He squeezed her hands gently.
— Miria… I love you. I only love you.
A silence.
Then she whispered:
— Really?
- Yes. Always.
A fragile smile lit up his face.
She gently raised her hand and placed it against his forehead.
A strange warmth passed through his mind.
Pictures.
Dark corridors.
Ancient towers.
Cracked walls.
An isolated castle, surrounded by mountains and forest.
A path.
A hidden entrance.
A searing pain shot through him.
He staggered back.
Miria withdrew her hand.
She smiled at him tenderly.
—I'm waiting for you… my love.
The white world shattered.
Asher woke up with a start on the living room floor.
Everyone was leaning over him.
— Asher!
- How are you ?
—Are you injured?
—What happened to you?
He caught his breath with difficulty.
His heart was beating wildly.
Then he raised his head.
His eyes burned with new determination.
— I… I know where Miria is…
The room froze.
He tried to stand up.
— We need a plan... quickly...