Chapter 73. The Vision

Alison’s POV

The walls of the Crimson archive room loomed around me, their towering shelves packed with ancient tomes that seemed to hold the weight of the world. I leaned back in the creaking chair, my fingers brushing over the worn leather of a centuries-old book. My eyes burned from the strain of scanning text that had faded over time. But I couldn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop. Somewhere in these archives, there had to be a solution.. something, anything to stop the looming threat of war.

Xander had called again this morning. His voice, usually a balm to my frayed nerves, had only grated against my current mood.

“Alison, you’re shutting me out,” he’d said, the concern in his tone sharp as a dagger.

“I’m not,” I replied curtly. “I’m just... busy.”

“You’ve been busy for days. Anything you might like to share with me?.”

I’d sighed, fighting the guilt that tugged at my chest. “I know you care about me, but it’s nothing that should worry you, I ju