The silence that had settled in the cell, heavy with both sadness and gentleness, was slowly beginning to dissipate. Elystria still held Mordred in her arms, but gradually, the warmth of this moment began to fade, replaced by something darker, deeper, emanating from the very heart of Mordred.
His tears had finally dried up, and his silent sobs had given way to a tense silence. Elystria, sensitive to every tiny change in Mordred, immediately perceived this shift in atmosphere. She felt his muscles tense slightly, his breathing becoming slower, colder, almost controlled.
With infinite delicacy, she gently released her embrace, moving back slightly to better observe Mordred's face. Their eyes met again, but this time, Elystria clearly saw in Mordred's eyes that icy coldness that was slowly but inexorably taking over his battered soul.
