Night fell fast.
The cabin was small — one room, one fireplace, one cot.
Kael built a low fire — just enough to keep the chill away.
Miko sat on the cot — knees drawn up, staring at the flames.
Kael sat across — back to the wall, shadows drifting around his hands.
Neither spoke for a long time.
The seal was quiet.
Miko hated the quiet more than the screaming.
Then — three soft knocks on the door.
Kael was up instantly — shadows snapping out.
Miko stood.
Kael moved to the door — silent.
"Who is it?"
A female voice — calm, familiar.
"Someone who doesn't want you dead.
Yet."
Kael glanced at Miko.
She nodded.
He opened the door — just a crack.
Sylvara stood outside — shoulder bandaged, uniform torn.
She looked tired.
Angry.
Alive.
"May I come in?"
Kael didn't move.
Sylvara sighed.
"I'm not here to fight.
I'm here to talk."
Miko stepped forward.
"Let her in."
Kael hesitated — then opened the door wider.
Sylvara stepped inside.
The door closed.
She looked around — then at Miko.
"You're still here.
I'm surprised."
Miko crossed her arms.
"You're still alive.
I'm surprised."
Sylvara's lips twitched.
"Fair."
She looked at Kael.
"You're protecting her."
Kael didn't answer.
Sylvara continued.
"I came to warn you.
The faculty knows you're here.
They're coming.
Tonight."
Miko felt cold.
"How do you know?"
Sylvara met her eyes.
"Because I told them."
Kael's shadows surged.
Sylvara raised a hand — silver threads defensive.
"Easy.
I told them you're here.
But I didn't tell them everything."
Miko stared.
"Why?"
Sylvara looked at the fire.
"Because the seal isn't just a curse.
It's a key.
And someone wants it open."
Kael's shadows stilled.
"Who?"
Sylvara looked at him.
"Your father.
And mine."
Silence.
Then Miko spoke.
"What do they want?"
Sylvara's voice was quiet.
"To finish what Lirien started."
She looked at Miko.
"To break the world open.
And let everything through."
Miko felt the seal flare — bright, eager.
Sylvara continued.
"They need you to do it.
Willingly.
Or unwillingly."
She stepped closer.
"I'm not here to stop you.
I'm here to give you a choice."
Miko stared.
"What choice?"
Sylvara raised her hand.
Silver threads formed a small, glowing orb — fragile, beautiful.
"Take it.
It will quiet the seal.
For a while.
Long enough to run.
Long enough to decide what you want."
Miko looked at the orb.
Then at Sylvara.
Then at Kael.
Kael's face was unreadable.
Miko reached out.
Her fingers brushed the orb.
The seal screamed — in rage.
The orb shattered.
Silver light exploded.
Sylvara staggered back.
Miko stumbled.
The seal burned — furious.
Kael caught her.
The cabin shook.
Outside — wings.
Not birds.
Larger.
Sylvara looked at the door.
"They're here."
To be continued…