Chapter 161: A Dark Presence

Caitlin, standing closely behind Zendedari, felt a deep unease as she watched Barry. His sorrow seemed unbearable, an almost tangible weight pressing on her chest. Every fiber of her being wanted to reach out, to offer comfort to this man, to soothe his visible suffering. It wasn’t just the sadness in his eyes or the pain in his voice—it was the way his whole body seemed to sag under the weight of his emotions. She took a small step forward, her hand instinctively rising toward him. *Do not!* The command cut through her thoughts with a sharpness that startled her. Zendedari’s voice in her mind was firm, leaving no room for defiance. His body remained motionless, as if carved from stone, betraying none of the emotions Barry’s words might have stirred in him. Barry’s face contorted with pain, his expression a mix of grief and frustration. "When we thought you were dead, we searched for you. Months, years passed, and you were always in my thoughts. You were more than just a friend, Zen