The camp felt different after the lesson.
People watched Miko more openly — some with awe, some with fear.
She felt it — every glance, every hushed conversation that stopped when she passed.
Kael stayed close — shadows always ready.
They sat by the central fire that night — low flames, embers glowing.
Rhea joined them — sat cross-legged.
"He spoke to you."
Miko nodded.
"Just a few words."
Rhea looked into the fire.
"He never speaks.
Not to us."
Kael's voice was quiet.
"Then why now?"
Rhea shrugged.
"Because the seal is different with her.
It's… talking.
Not just demanding."
Miko stared at the flames.
"It said 'same' when I mirrored him."
Rhea looked at her.
"That's new."
Miko felt cold.
Kael asked — low.
"What do you know about him?"
Rhea exhaled.
"Very little.
He appeared three years ago.
Wounded.
Wouldn't say how.
Wouldn't say from where.
He stayed long enough to heal — then left.
Comes back when a seal wakes.
Leaves when it… ends."
Miko swallowed.
"Ends."
Rhea nodded.
"He's seen three bearers since Lirien.
All dead.
All erased."
Kael's shadows tightened.
"And he does nothing?"
Rhea looked at him.
"He tries.
Every time.
Every time he fails."
Miko stared into the fire.
"Then why come back?"
Rhea's voice was quiet.
"Because he can't stop."
Silence.
Then Miko spoke.
"I'm not dying like that."
Kael looked at her.
"You won't."
Rhea smiled — small, sad.
"That's what they all said."
Miko met her eyes.
"I'm not them."
Rhea nodded.
"I know."
She stood.
"Get some rest.
Tomorrow — the real test begins."
She left.
Miko looked at Kael.
He was watching the fire.
"Kael."
He looked at her.
She moved closer — sat beside him.
"I don't want to be another name on his list."
Kael's arm came around her — slow, careful.
"You won't be."
Miko leaned against him.
The seal pulsed — once, gentle.
Stay.
She closed her eyes.
"I know."
To be continued…