Bound

A warm smile finally appeared on her face.

She bent down, lifted the young girl into her arms with practiced ease, and gently brushed a few strands of pale-blonde hair away from her face.

"Alright, Amelia," she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that had been absent only moments ago. "But only for a little while. Mom has a lot of work to do today."

Amelia's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Yay!" she cheered, happily wrapping her arms around Cassie's neck. "Just a little while is enough!"

Hearing her daughter's innocent laughter, Cassie couldn't help but smile a little more genuinely.

For that brief moment...

The terrifying vision, the endless black fog, and the ruined world all seemed far away.

She simply wanted to be a mother.

...

Grimwood Continent.

Several hours had passed since Asher had completed what he was trying to do.