They didn't stop running until the scar was far behind.
The forest swallowed them — trees thick, roots tripping, branches clawing at their clothes.
Miko's lungs burned.
Kael didn't slow.
He led them off the path — deeper, darker.
The alarm bell faded — but the feeling didn't.
Someone was coming.
They reached a small ravine — a narrow stream cutting through stone.
Kael jumped down — landed light, shadows cushioning his fall.
Miko followed — stumbled, caught herself on his arm.
He didn't let go immediately.
"Keep moving," he said.
They followed the stream — water cold, shallow.
After twenty minutes Kael stopped.
He raised a hand.
Shadows spread outward — thin, searching.
They found nothing.
Then he froze.
"Someone's close."
Miko's heart slammed against her ribs.
The seal pulsed — excited.
Kael pulled her behind a large boulder.
They crouched.
Footsteps — soft, deliberate.
A figure appeared at the top of the ravine.
Tall.
Cloaked.
Silver threads coiling around gloved hands.
Sylvara's brother — Cassian.
He stopped — looked around.
Then spoke — voice calm, carrying on the wind.
"I know you're here.
Both of you."
Kael's shadows tightened.
Cassian continued.
"I'm not here to fight.
Not yet.
I'm here to offer a deal."
Miko looked at Kael.
He shook his head — barely.
Cassian smiled — thin, polite.
"The seal is awake.
We felt it from the scar.
My father wants it.
Your father wants it.
But they don't agree on what to do with it."
He stepped closer to the stream.
"I have a different idea."
Kael whispered — barely audible.
"Don't move."
Cassian stopped.
"I know you're listening.
Miko Hayashi.
The seal chose you.
It wants you.
But it doesn't have to consume you."
Miko's breath caught.
Cassian continued.
"There is a way to… balance it.
To use it without losing yourself.
I can show you."
Kael's grip on her arm tightened — warning.
Cassian looked straight at their hiding spot.
"But you have to come with me.
Now."
Miko felt the seal flare — interested.
Kael whispered.
"No."
Miko looked at him.
The seal pulsed — louder.
Cassian waited.
Then he sighed.
"Pity."
He raised a hand.
Silver threads snapped out — fast, sharp.
They sliced through the boulder — inches from Miko's head.
Kael exploded into motion.
Shadows surged — black wall rising, blocking the threads.
Cassian stepped back.
"Last chance."
Kael's voice was cold.
"Walk away."
Cassian smiled.
"No."
He turned.
Vanished into the trees.
Kael lowered the wall.
Miko exhaled — shaking.
"He's gone," Kael said.
"For now."
Miko looked at him.
"He said there's a way to balance it."
Kael met her eyes.
"There might be."
Miko swallowed.
"Then why—"
"Because nothing comes free.
Not from him.
Not from anyone."
He stood.
"We keep moving."
Miko followed.
The seal pulsed — once, almost disappointed.
To be continued…