The burning sensation continues to grow intense, sizzling his eye. Naen tsks in pain, putting pressure against his eye again but still running toward the castle. His legs are wobbling from the sprinting he did earlier, and his lungs are wheezing in agony. Adrenaline fuels his inability to feel the pain strongly, and he only wants to see his mother as soon as possible. He wants her to be okay more than anything. Preparing to give up his freedom for her, he comes up to the opened gate. Heat from the fire masks his face, flecks of orange and red reflecting in his golden eyes. A yellow glow accents his cheeks and nose.

The crimson queen steps forth, disdain written on her face, and her eye’s broken heart push its two pieces further apart, pink blood drops oozing from the jagged pieces.

His mother’s sweet voice is like music to his ears. He longs to hug her and have her ruffle his fluffy hair. Naen feels tears roll down his cheeks, irritating the burning eye, but he doesn’t care. He feels like a young kid who was lost and then reunited with their mother. Seeing that his mother is alright, Naen’s heart slowly eases itself back into its usual rhythm.