The forest burned with red light as Evelyn faced the phantom of Fji. Shadows rippled like living smoke, each flicker carrying his whisper, each gust of wind breathing his rage. The air tasted of iron and ash. Even the trees seemed to shrink away from the power that gathered around them.
Her sword glimmered in her grip, its edge glowing faintly in answer to the magic pulsing through the clearing. Every instinct in her screamed to run, but she stood her ground, her heart thundering. She had spent months chasing his ghost. Now she finally understood the truth—he had been waiting for her all along.
The shape of Fji flickered again, half-shadow and half-flesh. His eyes burned the same deep scarlet as the flames curling around the stones. "You came yourself," he said softly, voice smooth as venom. "Good. I wanted you to see what your mercy created."
