Kazi continued to stare at the map.

There were eight symbols and eight marks. All radiating outward from a single point, like a compass for forces she couldn't yet understand. The one nearest the center glowed faintly in amber ink.

"That's yours," Rhazir said. "The Ember Line. Fire."

She traced the path with her eyes to another symbol that pulsed softly in a deep blue.

"What's that one?" She asked.

"The Surge Line," Rhazir replied. "Water."

"And yours?"

He rolled up his sleeve. The silver mark shimmered softly under the lantern light.

"Eclipse Line," he said. "Shadow."

Kazi felt the air tighten around them. "Are we supposed to work together?"

Rhazir hesitated. "That depends."

"On what?" She asked.

"On whether the others are still on our side." He replied.

His words dropped like stone into silence.

Kazi stepped back from the map. "So, is there a war coming?"

"There was always a war," Rhazir said. "This... " he gestured to the chamber markings, the awakening, "...this is just the next round."

She folded her arms. "You keep saying I've been activated like I'm some ancient relic."

"You're not a relic," he said, "you're a link. One of eight. And when all eight links are awakened, the gate..."

He stopped.

"The gate?" she asked.

Rhazir shook his head. "Not yet. You're not ready."

"Try me."

But he didn't answer.

Instead, he handed her a small stone that was warm to the touch and etched with her mark. "Hold this and focus."

Kazi did as instructed. As she focused, the stone pulsed with an amber hue the moment her fingers closed around it. A gentle heat rose through her skin, threading through her arm, settling into her chest.

Images flared behind her eyes, distant volcanoes, glowing coals, a woman standing barefoot in ash. She wore the mark too.

Then, a flash of something else.

A boy. Barefoot. Soaking wet. Standing at the edge of a cliff. His hand glowed blue.

Kazi gasped, dropping the stone.

Rhazir caught it before it hit the floor. "You saw another."

"I saw him," she said. "One of the others."

Rhazir's face darkened. "They're waking up faster than I thought."

Kazi's pulse pounded in her ears. "We have to find them."

Rhazir looked at her, surprised. "You're ready for that?"

She met his gaze. "If I wait any longer, the mark will lead me anyway. I'd rather get there first."

He smiled, just a little. "Good."

He turned back to the scroll and tapped a point far beyond the center ring.