"How did this happen...?"
Harry rubbed his forehead with a shaking hand, his face slick with cold sweat. His fingers dug into his scalp, as if trying to force logic into a situation that had none.
"We were so careful… How did we end up this deep? In the 500-mile zone...?"
His voice was hoarse—equal parts confusion and dread.
"W-We can still go back… right?"
Crown Prince Aelric stepped forward, his face pale, brows furrowed. The weight of what he was seeing—of what they were all seeing—had finally begun to sink in.
"We just retrace our steps and return the way we came. It hasn't been long…"
But Harry slowly shook his head.
His gaze lifted—not to meet Aelric's, but to the darkened sky above them.
"You don't understand, Little Prince."
His tone was hollow. Resigned.
"You can only witness the True Mourning Depths if you are already inside the 500-mile zone of the forbidden region. That's the rule. That's always been the rule. If you can see it—you've gone too far."
