[ if she had it her way, she would be left alone entirely. at least, that's what she'd want to believe, that she could figure this all out on her own and that she won't have to depend on anyone else. but time and time again, she's been proven wrong. after all, she's too weak here, her magic as distant as it is and her body frail from its lack of energy to put up as much of a fight as she'd desire.

but nothing is more unbearable than the emptiness she feels inside without the magic thrumming beneath her skin, as if she'd been cut open and robbed of her organs.

she maintains her held out hand, hovering it over the rock, prayers in her mind for it to move. it doesn't.

when the man speaks, she exhales an exasperated breath, clenching her fingers against her palm. her eyes lift, seeing the brief glimmer of a flame, easy enough to miss if she'd blinked. the lack of its presence saddens her further.

for a moment, she says nothing at all, merely swallowing before she finds the quiet words to respond. ]

I had spent the last several years of my life trying to make sure that magic would never be taken from anyone ever again. All to have it ripped away in an instant. [ how weak— ] I'd rather die in this pit than never have it returned.