The horizon bled with fire as the three travelers pressed onward Koda at the front his blade strapped to his back Lyra walking with shadows trailing at her heels and Ryn limping yet unbroken his fists still scarred from the battle his grin stubborn as ever The plains stretched wide beneath a fractured sky the rift above throbbing darker with each passing hour
Koda's chest pulsed faintly with the Nexus the mark burning in rhythm with his heart each step weighed with the knowledge that enemies beyond counting sought his power the Abyssborn would not rest nor would the kings of men and yet for the first time since he had awakened he did not walk alone
They reached a valley carved long ago by rivers that no longer flowed the ground cracked dry bones of forgotten beasts scattered across its floor As they descended the air grew heavy a tension settling over the land and Koda felt it a presence faint yet distinct not the hunger of the Abyssborn but something softer lingering like the breath of life itself
Ryn noticed it too his voice rough yet alert
Ryn : Someone's here I can feel it
Lyra's shadows stirred at her side sharp and ready
Lyra : If it is not Abyssborn it could be worse men hunters assassins drawn by the Nexus
Koda tightened his grip on the hilt of his blade his eyes scanning the valley Ahead amid the bones and broken stone stood a lone figure cloaked in pale robes her hands glowing faint with light she knelt beside a body torn and broken by claws though breath still lingered weak upon its lips Her touch shimmered with warmth knitting torn flesh mending bone
The woman's hair was the color of faded gold her eyes tired yet burning with a resolve deeper than the valley itself She lifted her gaze to them as they approached her voice calm though tinged with wariness
Healer : You carry the Nexus
Koda froze the weight of her words cutting deeper than any blade
Koda : And who are you to know that
She rose slowly the body she had healed breathing steadier now her voice carrying the softness of rain yet edged with steel
Healer : My name is Aria I am no warrior no king no hunter I am a healer but the Nexus calls to all of us in different ways and I could feel its fire long before you entered this valley
Lyra stepped forward her voice sharp suspicion dripping from every word
Lyra : If you can feel it then so can they the Abyssborn the Guild the King You make yourself a beacon
Aria did not flinch she placed a hand upon her chest her eyes steady
Aria : Then let them come I do not fight with blades or shadows or fists but I will not turn away from those who suffer this world is dying and I will not stand idle while it fades
Ryn chuckled wiping blood from his lips his grin stubborn
Ryn : Brave words for someone who heals strangers in the middle of a wasteland but you are either foolish or strong and I like both
Koda studied her the mark on his chest pulsing faintly in rhythm with her presence her light did not feel like the Gatekeeper's trial nor the abyssal hunger of the creatures it was something gentler something he had not felt in a long time hope
Koda : If you choose to walk with us the path will not be mercy it will be war every step every breath hunted until the end
Aria's expression did not waver she looked from him to Lyra to Ryn and back her voice quiet yet unwavering
Aria : Then I will walk with you because every war needs more than blades it needs the hands that can pull the fallen back to their feet
Silence settled heavy yet not unwelcome Lyra's gaze cold but no longer resisting Ryn laughing quietly despite the pain in his body and Koda at the center the fire of the Nexus burning within him stronger than before He nodded slowly his voice low
Koda : Then we endure together
But far from the valley in halls built of stolen crowns a throne of shattered gold loomed a figure draped in tattered robes of kingship his eyes hollow his body scarred by countless battles Around him hung the relics of bearers past their power devoured their essence consumed The Crownless King sat unmoving his hand resting upon a blade forged from the bones of those who came before
A messenger knelt before him trembling his voice shaking
Messenger : My lord it is true another bearer has awakened the Nexus has returned
The King's hollow eyes lifted burning with hunger that devoured even the silence of the hall
Crownless King : Then the hunt begins
His voice thundered like a curse across his empire armies stirred chains rattled drums pounded the world itself shuddering as the Crownless King rose for the first time in a century
Back in the valley Koda did not yet know the storm that now marched for him he only knew the path ahead was endless and that for the first time four souls walked it together a blade of stars a cloak of shadows fists of reckless fire and the hands of life itself
The rift above pulsed wider darker as though laughing at the fragile light below and in the distance the sound of war drums began to echo