The shadow drifted into the tower, its form shifting like smoke in the dim light. Lyanna’s sobs echoed through the room, soft and broken. The shadow moved closer, its presence unnoticed by her. Why is she crying? it wondered, its voice a whisper in the void.


    “Why do you weep?” the shadow asked, its tone gentle yet distant, like the rustle of leaves in the wind.


    Lyanna did not respond. She could not hear it—not yet.


    The shadow hesitated, then did something it had never done before. It reached out, its form dissolving into wisps of darkness, and merged with Lyanna’s shadow.


    For a moment, nothing happened. Then Lyanna’s breath hitched, her eyes widening as she felt a presence—something ancient and unknowable—settle within her.


    “Who… who’s there?” she whispered, her voice trembling.


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    “I am here,” the shadow replied, its voice echoing softly in her mind.


    Lyanna’s hands trembled as she clutched her swollen belly. “What… what are you?”


    The shadow paused, its form flickering as it searched for an answer. “I do not know,” it admitted. “I only know that I am bound to you… for now.”


    Lyanna’s tears fell anew, her voice breaking as she spoke. “My children… I can feel it. They will be stillborn. I’ve failed them…”


    The shadow fell silent, its form flickering as if disturbed by her words. Can I help her? it wondered. But it had no power, no form, no voice that could reach her. It was nothing more than a wisp of darkness, bound to watch and listen.


    Days passed, and Lyanna’s strength waned. She begged for help, her pleas echoing in the shadow’s mind. “Please… Shadow… save them… save my children…”


    The shadow hesitated, its form flickering as it searched for the right words. “I… cannot,” it admitted, its voice heavy with regret. “I am powerless. I can only move shadows… nothing more.”


    Lyanna’s breath hitched, her hands clutching her belly tighter. “Then… what good are you?” she whispered, her voice breaking.


    The shadow did not respond. It had no answer to give.