CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY - SIX - THE RETURN JOURNEY

"Don't look," Freya's voice cut through the chaos. "Focus on my voice. Keep walking." Anna gritted her teeth, fighting against the pull of the visions. She could hear her companions struggling too – Magnus cursing under his breath, one of the guards whimpering softly. The air seemed to thicken further, making each step a struggle. Time stretched and compressed, seconds feeling like hours and minutes passing in the blink of an eye. Anna's head pounded, her senses overwhelmed by the magical assault. Just when she thought she couldn't take anymore, a new vision appeared. It was Erik again, but different this time. He looked older, wearier, and there was a sadness in his eyes that broke Anna's heart. "You left us," vision-Erik said softly. "You never came back." Anna faltered, her steps slowing. Was this a possible future? Had she made a terrible mistake in coming on this quest? "Anna!" Freya's sharp voice cut through her doubts. "It's not real. Keep moving!" With a supreme effort o