The tunnel ended in a massive chamber — ceiling high, walls carved with runes that glowed red.
In the center — a raised platform.
On the platform — a single object.
A large obsidian mirror — cracked, but whole.
Crimson veins crawling across its surface.
Miko felt the seal flare — bright, eager.
Home.
Kael stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't."
Miko looked at him.
"It's calling me."
Kael's voice was low.
"That's why we don't go near it."
The mirror pulsed — brighter.
The runes on the walls flared — red.
The chamber shook — dust falling.
Something rose from the mirror — slow, deliberate.
A shape — humanoid, but not human.
Black — made of shadow and crimson veins.
No face.
Just a void.
It reached out — toward Miko.
The seal screamed — in joy.
Miko stepped forward.
Kael pulled her back.
The creature lashed out — crimson tendrils snapping toward them.
Kael's shadows met them — clashing, sparking.
The chamber shook harder.
Miko felt the seal pull — hard.
She fought it.
The creature reached through the clash — tendril wrapping around Kael's leg.
It yanked.
Kael stumbled — shadows faltering.
Miko acted.
Crimson shadows exploded from her — slamming into the creature.
It staggered.
She pushed harder — shadows weaving, tightening.
The creature screamed — silent, but felt in the bones.
It dissolved — crumbling into black mist.
The mirror pulsed — once, twice — then dimmed.
The runes faded.
Silence.
Kael stood — breathing hard.
Miko sank to her knees.
The seal pulsed — once, satisfied.
Kael crouched beside her.
"You saved me."
Miko laughed — shaky.
"First time for everything."
Kael looked at her.
"We're not safe here."
Miko nodded.
They stood.
The mirror was still — dark, quiet.
But Miko knew.
It wasn't over.
To be continued…