A sudden calamity struck the country without warning. Athena, feeling a deep sense of unease, immediately contacted the orphanage.
She was relieved to hear that they were safe for now, but the static-filled call gave her the impression that something was terribly wrong.
Before she could dwell on it further, a sharp pain seared through her neck. Her hand flew up to the spot, but there was nothing there.
No attacker, no wound, just an intense burning sensation. Her vision blurred, and a heavy weakness spread through her body like poison.
She staggered back into her villa, her instincts screaming that something was terribly wrong.
She made sure the security system was functioning, checking all the cameras and locks before collapsing onto the couch.
Her body felt as if it were sinking into an abyss, and before she could fight the exhaustion, everything went black.
