[POV: Ruvan]
The shadows at the edges of the broken wall warped and twisted, and someone… something stepped through.
At first glance, it almost looked human—long-limbed, draped in ash-colored rags that moved like smoke. Its skin shimmered, translucent, as if molten glass had tried and failed to take a human form.
It had no eyes, no mouth… no face at all. There was only a hollow darkness where the head should be. The fiend said nothing aloud, but it didn't need to.
Distorted words poured into Ruvan's mind like hot, curdling oil.
"Ours."
"She belongs below."
"Return her."
Ruvan's face contorted with disgust, and the godfire howled inside him, with the voices screaming to tear it apart.
He staggered one step forward instinctively, shielding Solenne with his body, his blood-soaked hands curling into claws.
"She's not yours," Ruvan growled again, louder this time. "She's mine."
