ACROSS THE DEPTHS OF THE UNIVERSE

*THE PAIN*

***author's pov***

Valeria's screams pierced the silence of the room, her voice echoing with the raw, unfiltered pain that surged through her. The exhaustion from Zelerious's condition had already left her physically drained, but now, the added anguish of Jerone's rejection was a devastating blow.

Her body convulsed with each wave of pain, the combination of emotional and physical distress overwhelming her senses. She clutched at her heart, the ache from both the rejection and her fatigue mingling into a searing, unbearable torment.

The room seemed to close in around her as her cries grew louder, her tears falling freely. Her vision blurred, and she could hardly distinguish between the overwhelming sensations of her heartache and the fatigue that had plagued her.

In that moment, Valeria felt as though she was on the brink of collapse, her strength waning under the immense weight of her suffering. Each breath was a struggle, and her screams were the only release for the intense pain coursing through her. The walls of her sanctuary offered no comfort, only a stark reminder of her isolation and the trials she was enduring.

As the pain intensified, Valeria’s body began to betray her. The black veins, previously dormant, started to surface, weaving their way across her fair skin like dark, malevolent tendrils. They seemed to pulse and writhe with each agonizing spasm, starkly contrasting against her pale complexion.

Her eyes, once vibrant and clear, darkened to a deep, unsettling hue. They took on an almost otherworldly glint, reflecting the turmoil within her. The transformation was unsettling, marking the depth of her suffering.

The burning pain was relentless, a fiery, searing sensation that coursed through her veins, making her feel as though her very essence was being consumed. It spread from her heart throughout her body, turning every nerve into a raw, exposed wound. Each breath was a struggle against the relentless waves of agony, and her screams grew more desperate as the pain reached unbearable heights.

Valeria’s body trembled uncontrollably, her strength ebbing away with each passing moment. The room seemed to close in around her, the walls a distant blur as she was engulfed by the overwhelming darkness of her suffering. Her pain was all-consuming, leaving her on the brink of losing herself to the relentless torment.

Kian and Asher, deep in conversation with Alexander, suddenly halted. Their eyes widened as they simultaneously felt the intense, searing pain emanating from Valeria. It was a sensation so profound that it pierced through their own thoughts and discussions.

Without a word, they exchanged urgent glances and rushed towards Valeria's chamber. Their movements were swift and purposeful, driven by the overwhelming urgency to reach her.

As they approached her room, the intensity of her distress became more palpable. The air seemed charged with her suffering, and the echoes of her screams grew louder. Kian pushed open the door, and both he and Asher were met with a harrowing sight.

Valeria lay on the floor, her body contorted in agony, the black veins snaking across her skin and her eyes darkened with torment. The room was filled with an almost palpable aura of pain, and the sight of her in such distress made their hearts clench.

Kian moved to her side immediately, kneeling beside her and placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. Asher stood close by, his expression a mixture of concern and helplessness. Both men were deeply affected by her state, their own emotions mingling with the urgent need to alleviate her suffering.

Asher tried to reach out to her, but the severity of her condition made it clear that immediate action was needed. Kian’s eyes darted around the room, searching for anything that could help, while his hand gently but firmly rested on Valeria, attempting to offer her some comfort amidst the chaos of her pain.

Seeing Valeria in such a state of torment, Kian and Asher's panic became palpable. Their initial resolve to help was quickly overshadowed by the overwhelming fear of her condition.

Kian’s hands shook as he tried to assess her situation, his voice filled with urgency and concern. “Valeria, what’s happening to you? We need to do something now!” His tone was frantic, his eyes searching desperately for any sign of what might alleviate her suffering.

Asher, equally distressed, paced the room in a frenzy. “This is beyond anything we’ve dealt with before. We need help—fast!” He shouted, his mind racing through possible solutions while his gaze constantly flickered back to Valeria.

Their panic heightened as the sight of the black veins spreading across her skin and her darkened eyes filled them with dread. The room, once a sanctuary, now seemed to close in on them, amplifying their anxiety. They could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on them, making each second stretch painfully.

Alexander, having followed them into the room, took in the scene with a grim expression. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he quickly moved to assist. “We need to calm her, find out what’s causing this,” he said, his voice firm despite the underlying tension. “We might need to consult someone with deeper knowledge of dark magic.”

As Kian and Asher continued to try to comfort Valeria, Alexander began to make arrangements to seek out any possible help. The urgency of the situation drove them all to act swiftly, their collective panic underscoring the severity of Valeria’s distress.