_Leah’s POV_

The change was immediate. The pale light disappeared. The air grew colder. The mist became thick and heavy. It was swirling like smoke around my legs. The ground no longer rippled like water. It felt sticky... like it wanted to hold me.

Then I heard it.

A voice....A woman’s voice.

It was distant but sharp with pain.

“Please… please let me go…”

My breath caught.

“Sarah,” I whispered.

The voice came again, louder now, cracked with sobs.

“Please! Someone… anyone… help me!”

I moved faster but the mist resisted me. It clung to me like wet fabric. It tried to slow me down.

Athena urged, Keep going. Do...