Night had fully fallen over Grayfall Village—quiet, heavy, and unnervingly still.
The sky was a deep slate, clouds swallowing the moon as if the heavens themselves were watching in silence. Rain had stopped hours ago, but the lingering mist clung to the rooftops like a shroud.
Kai stood at the edge of the village gate, a small pack slung over his shoulder… his entire life reduced to a few meager belongings.
Lira jogged up to him, breath misting in the cold air, carrying her own pack—larger, sturdier, far more prepared than his.
"You're slow," she teased quietly.
Kai managed a small smile. "You packed half your house."
"Because unlike you, I planned on surviving the wilderness."
He chuckled under his breath… but the sound held no joy.
Behind them, the houses were dark. Curtains drawn. Doors shut. No one came out to say goodbye.Not even to Lira.
It was easier for everyone to pretend they weren't leaving.
Easier to pretend that Kai hadn't become something dangerous.
Easier to pretend they weren't relieved.
Lira glanced over her shoulder. "It's strange. The village feels… wrong tonight."
Kai nodded. "Everyone's afraid."
She reached out and brushed his arm lightly. "I'm not."
He didn't say it aloud, but her courage terrified him more than anything.
Seran approached from between the shadows of the houses, lantern in one hand, staff in the other.
"You're leaving earlier than planned," he said softly.
Kai frowned. "You told me to go at dawn."
"I changed my mind," Seran said. "The Council's scouts won't wait for dawn."
That sent a chill through both of them.
Seran pressed a wrapped cloth bundle into Kai's hands. "Take this. It belonged to your mother."
Kai froze. "My… mother?"
"She would have wanted you to have it," Seran said, voice heavy. "But don't open it until you truly need it. That was her only request."
Kai hesitated—then nodded.
Seran placed a second object into Lira's hand: a small wooden charm etched with swirling patterns.
"Protect him," Seran said quietly. "You may be the only one who can."
Lira blinked. "Me? Why?"
Seran hesitated—as if choosing his words carefully.
"Because Kai's fate is tied to a power that can swallow even the strongest minds. If he loses himself… he will need someone anchored to him."
Kai swallowed.
Seran's gaze softened as he turned to the boy. "Listen well, Kai. There are places in this world where the Council's eyes cannot reach. Seek the old borders. Seek the ruins of the mountain temples. There you may find answers about the Seventh Path."
Kai nodded slowly. "I will."
The Elder stepped back. "Then go. Go before the storm decides your path for you."
Kai and Lira exchanged one last look—half fear, half determination.
Then they stepped out of the gate.
Into the forest.
Into the dark.
Into a world that had forgotten the Seventh Path… but would soon remember it.
Hours Later — Inside the Forest
The forest groaned with nighttime life—rustling leaves, distant animal calls, the soft crunch of their boots on damp soil.
Kai wiped sweat from his brow. "We should find a shelter before the rain comes back."
Lira nodded, scanning the trees. "There should be a hunter's cabin somewhere north—"
Snap.
Both froze.
That wasn't a branch.
Lira reached for the dagger at her hip. Kai steadied his breathing.
A faint purple glow flickered between the trees.
Kai whispered, "Is that…?"
Another glow appeared—then another.
Then the smell hit them: metal and burning ozone.
Lira's eyes widened. "Kai… those are Council scouts."
Shadows shifted between the trunks.
Figures cloaked in dark armor stepped into view, eyes glowing with violet inscriptions. Their Path emblems burned with the symbol of the Ether Path—trackers.
The front scout raised a hand.
"Vessel confirmed."
Lira grabbed Kai's wrist. "Run!"
They sprinted deeper into the forest as the scouts charged after them, the glow from their armor slicing through the darkness like razors.
Kai's heart thundered.
His breath burned.
The Seventh Mark beneath his skin pulsed wildly as fear surged through him, lightning flickering at the edges of his vision.
Not now—not now! he begged silently. I can't lose control again—
Lira pulled him behind a fallen tree. "Keep your voice low. We can lose them."
But the scouts' footsteps echoed—relentless, unhurried, confident.
They weren't hunting.
They were closing in on their prey.
A cold voice echoed through the trees:
"By decree of the Path Council… surrender the Vessel."
Kai's pulse spiked.
Lira gripped his hand fiercely.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Kai… what do we do?"