Morning light filtered through the tall windows, illuminating rows of shelves filled with jars, bandages, and carefully arranged medicinal plants, the gentle brightness did little to settle the strange unease that lingered inside Valen's chest.
She lay awake on the narrow bed, staring up at the pale ceiling. Her fingers moved slowly across the blanket resting over her waist as her thoughts wandered once again toward the same unsettling question.
What happened after the Red Moon festival?
She had tried countless times to remember, each attempt led her to the same empty wall within her mind.
It was as though someone had taken a blade and carefully carved away an entire portion of her memories, leaving behind only fragments that refused to connect into anything meaningful.
Valen closed her eyes briefly, trying once again to push past that invisible barrier.
The music of the festival echoed faintly in her thoughts.
Lanterns floating through the air.
