Miria and the others were trying to recover from what had just happened. The dust had not yet settled, and the air remained heavy with residual magic.
Bryan was the first to speak, wiping a trail of blood from his cheek.
"Is everyone okay?"
"Yes," almost everyone answered in unison.
Asher, however, remained silent. His gaze was empty, like that of a puppet. Suddenly, he stood up with a mechanical movement, ready to leave exactly where he had been ordered to go.
Before he could take a step, Axel and Bryan each grabbed one of his arms.
"We have to hold him back!" Axel shouted.
Eiden turned to Miria.
"Miria… Vareck's grimoire. Do you still have it?"
Miria immediately pulled it from her jacket and handed it to Eiden.
"Look for a spell that speaks of possession using the image of a dead loved one. In the meantime, I'll help Axel and Bryan restrain him."
Eiden nodded and opened the grimoire. But barely had he taken the book in his hands when Asher released a wave of power. Axel and Bryan were thrown to either side of the corridor.
Miria raised her hand, ready to cast an immobilization spell. Then an idea crossed her mind.
Just as Asher was about to walk away, a soft voice called to him:
"Asher…"
He turned around. Standing before him was Miria… but not the one he knew. It was the other one. The one with long black hair, brown eyes, and the eternal smile he had never forgotten.
Asher froze. He rubbed his eyes, convinced he was dreaming. Nothing changed.
"Asher…" she murmured again.
"Miria…? No… it's not you. I know it's you, Miria, pretending to be your great-grandmother."
The silhouette gave an amused smile.
"Oh… really?"
She raised her right hand and showed the ring he had once given her for protection.
"Do you remember this?"
Asher let out a bitter laugh.
"You see? I knew it was you and not your grandmother. I gave you that ring so it would protect you."
"We bought it in a collectors' antique shop… do you remember?"
Asher remained speechless.
"Are you surprised?" she continued with a smile. "Yes… little Miria doesn't know that, does she?"
She began pacing back and forth, her gaze nostalgic.
"Do you remember the first time we met at Clairval Academy? You were wearing the uniform… but your look was that of a real rebel. Shirt unbuttoned, tie loose around your neck, boots, and that lock of hair that always fell over your forehead. It was so cute…"
Asher felt more and more lost. How could she know these details? Only SHE could know them.
"Your father's name was Sherry… and your mother's was Avy. It's the combination of the 'A' from Avy and the 'Sher' from Sherry that made Asher."
He said nothing.
"I remember that when you were courting me, I refused. But you never gave up. You kept going… again and again… until you managed to melt my heart of ice."
Asher turned completely toward her and stepped closer, his voice trembling with anxiety and hope.
"Miria… my love… is it really you?"
She took his face in her hands, her eyes filled with emotion.
"My love… I've missed you so much…"
Asher closed his eyes and pressed closer against her palms, seeking to feel her warmth.
At the same moment, Eiden cried out:
"Miria! I found the spell!"
Miria murmured an almost inaudible "sorry," then cast an immobilization spell. Asher froze in place. She made the grimoire levitate to her and began reading the incantation in a firm voice.
Asher doubled over, falling to his knees, screaming in pain while holding his head. Miria continued without stopping. Asher's eyes changed color. A dark aura escaped from him and disintegrated into the air. His eyes returned to normal… then he fainted.
Miria knelt beside him and placed a hand on his forehead.
"Is he okay?" Bryan asked.
"Yes," she answered, withdrawing her hand with a smile of relief. "The spell has been broken. He's himself again."
Axel exhaled, exhausted.
"Well… that was one intense evening. I suggest we take him, join the others, and leave this place once and for all."
"I completely agree with you," Eiden approved.
Bryan massaged his shoulder with a wry smile.
"Works for me… but just one remark. Is Asher REALLY that powerful? I'm starting to wonder if I still deserve my title after the beatings I took today."
Everyone burst out laughing at his comment.