For thirteen long years, her family had waited for her to open her eyes. Marquess Vizio requested every physician and healer attend to his daughter, hoping desperately that the next would be more capable than the last.

When news of her unusual condition reached the Mage of the North Tower, he immediately took action, bringing all his research material to the Vizio household. Though he was no healer, he had been studying the rare condition known as Mana Slumber.

Over the years, he diligently monitored her, unsure why her ailment persisted far longer than the usual cases. The one thing he could do was keep her body from withering away as they waited.

When Selene finally opened her eyes, she wasn't what her father expected. She was quieter than he remembered, more timid than he had hoped.

The fear in her gaze ignited the thought he had pushed to the back of his mind, the warning the mage had given him: it's been so long, there may be memory loss.

The faces of those surrounding her were familiar, some more so than others, but the feeling of eyes falling upon her caused a swirling stir of unknown emotions.

Most of their expressions were plastered with concern and confusion, but her father's face was that of despair. It was clear to him that the girl before him was a shadow of the daughter he knew.

The spark of youth that had once shone in her eyes had been completely replaced with a flatness that looked upon the world with a sense of apathy foreign to the memories others held of her. Her bright and curious smile gave way to a sullen expression found on those who had given up on finding joy in the world.

The realization that she recognized them held only a short burst of relief, followed by the weight of questioning her changes.

An older gentleman, distinguished by his flowing robes and decorative tassels, burst through the door. After one look at Selene, her hands clutching the blankets that covered her like a shield, he ushered the onlookers quickly from the room.

“Do you know where you are, my dear?” he asked in a soft tone as he lowered himself into the chair by her bed.

“Yes,” she responded after a moment, struggling to find her voice.

“You were asleep for quite a long time,” he continued, running through the checklist of her vital signs. “Your family was very worried.”

Selene sat quietly, flexing her fingers with a look of astonishment in her eyes. Despite his attempt at concealing it, the man's brow wrinkled in concern.

“My name is Oudéteros. I would like to ask you a few questions if I could.”

Selene's answers were short, leaving the Mage of the North Tower with more questions than answers. But after watching her wrestle with her own thoughts, he decided it would be better to continue his prying at a later time.

“Is... Is Liam here?” she asked timidly.

“I'll let him know you asked for him,” he assured before leaving the room.

When the door opened again, all her muscles tensed in anticipation. As William closed the door quickly behind him, her sigh of relief was visible, even from across the room. He took a step towards her but paused, remembering the fear that had previously flashed in her eyes.

However, as soon as the first tear escaped from her eyes, he ran to her side and engulfed her in an embrace, her shoulders shaking as she clung desperately to the fabric of his shirt, tearing streaming down her cheeks.