"Arlan…," Oriana's voice barely rose above a whisper as she closed her tear-filled eyes. She clutched her chest as a sharp pang coursing through her chest. An irreplaceable loss, she mourned the man she had loved.
Edna regarded Oriana with a sinister smile. "I ended him," she chuckled, reveling in Oriana's pain. "Does it hurt terribly, my dear?"
Oriana remained on her knees, wordless, consumed by the ache that gripped her.
Amused, Edna continued, "Weep all you want. It's preferable, and I can seamlessly claim dominance over your existence."
Despite Edna's triumphant demeanor, an eerie hush fell upon Oriana and her surroundings. Not just her but the entire surrounding seemed to turn quiet as if time had stopped. The once strong wind ceased, leaving the lanterns suspended in stillness.
