Silence had never sounded so loud.

Kael stood at the edge of the forbidden zone—an ancient place where even shadows whispered in fear. The trees twisted unnaturally, as if tormented by something unseen. The wind held no sound… yet the air was full of voices.

Lux hovered near his shoulder, flickering dimly. Its voice trembled.

“This place… even silence is afraid to enter.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed, the mark on his arm pulsing faintly.

“Then we go where silence ends.”

They stepped into the remains of a forgotten temple, walls worn by time and secrets. Runes covered every surface—jagged, ancient, alive. One symbol pulsed faintly in the dark… a perfect match to the mark Kael had burned into his skin. It wasn’t coincidence. It was history calling back to him.

Rin’s fingers brushed over carvings. Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Mentions of the First Flame… and something else. The Eyes that see through darkness.”

On the far wall, a mural: a lone warrior holding a black sword, flame wrapped around him. His eyes were Kael’s. His weapon, the same.

“This isn’t new,” Rin said quietly. “You were always part of this.”

Kael said nothing. But inside, something stirred. Not fear.

Recognition.

A tremor split the stillness. The ground shook—deep, deliberate.

From the abyss beneath the temple, a creature rose. Gigantic. Its form twisted between flesh and void. From its skull, two glowing eyes leaked red smoke. It didn’t breathe. It pulsed.

Lux backed away.

“That… should not exist.”

Kael didn’t move.

“Then I’ll end what never should’ve begun.”

He didn’t unleash the flame.

No transformation.

Only will.

Blade in hand, he charged—not with fury, but with focus. Every strike was clean. Every movement, deliberate. He dodged the void breath, slid under the beast’s claws, and struck true—again and again.

With a final blow to its core, the creature howled and collapsed into dust.

Kael dropped to one knee. Sweat ran down his face, but his breath was calm. Controlled.

Rin was at his side in an instant.

“You didn’t lose control.”

He looked at his hands.

“No. I chose to win… with myself.”

They walked deeper into the ruins.

There, etched in shadow and flame, was a single prophecy:

“He who walks the edge of shadow may become its eye.”

Lux floated above, silent, watching him.

“Maybe the Umbra isn’t just watching you, Kael…”

“Maybe it’s waiting.”