Identifying Melancholic Diction

In the following passage, the author uses various word choices to convey complex emotions regarding a personal experience. Read the passage carefully and consider the author's diction.

"As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an amber glow over the desolate landscape, I felt a creeping sense of melancholy envelop me like a fog. The silence was profound, interspersed only by the distant rustle of leaves, whispering secrets of a time long past. What had once been a vibrant tapestry of life now lay in subdued hues, echoing the void of loss and nostalgia that filled the air, suffocating yet strangely comforting. I stood there, suspended in the moment, grappling with the bittersweet taste of my memories—each one a reminder of what was, and what could never be again."

Based on your analysis of the passage, which of the following words best captures the author’s melancholic tone?