Night fell fast.
The ruined outpost was dark — only moonlight through broken walls.
Miko and Kael sat by a small fire — low, hidden.
Kael's leg was bandaged — bleeding stopped.
Miko stared at the ledger.
"He knew her.
He was there."
Kael nodded.
"He's older than he looks."
Miko looked at him.
"How old?"
Kael shrugged.
"Older than the academy.
Older than the rifts."
Silence.
Then — movement.
Outside.
Shadows moved — not Kael's.
Miko stood.
Kael stood — shadows snapping out.
The Mistborn emerged — ten, cloaks billowing, violet paint glowing in the dark.
The woman from before stepped forward.
"You found the ledger."
Miko's shadows rose — crimson.
"You followed us."
The woman smiled.
"We always follow."
Kael's shadows thickened.
"Leave."
The woman shook her head.
"Not without her."
The Mistborn attacked.
Spears flashed — violet tips glowing.
Kael met them — shadows lashing, blocking, cutting.
Miko stepped beside him — crimson tendrils exploding outward.
One Mistborn lunged — spear aimed at Kael's back.
Miko's tendril wrapped his arm — yanked.
He stumbled — spear dropping.
Kael finished him — shadow spear through the chest.
Another Mistborn attacked Miko — blade swinging.
She dodged — tendril piercing his shoulder.
He screamed — dropped.
The woman watched — calm.
"You're growing stronger."
Miko glared.
"You're next."
The woman laughed.
"Not yet."
She raised both hands.
Violet mist surged — filling the outpost.
Creatures rose — rift spawn — claws, teeth, eyes glowing.
They lunged.
Kael fought — shadows whipping, cutting.
Miko fought — crimson storm raging.
One spawn leaped — claws raking her arm.
Blood welled.
The seal roared — furious.
More.
Miko gave it more.
Crimson tendrils multiplied — crushing, piercing.
Spawn fell — dissolving.
The woman raised a hand.
The mist thickened — forming a dome around them.
Trapping them.
Kael's shadows battered against it — useless.
Miko pushed — crimson storm hitting the dome.
It cracked — slightly.
The woman smiled.
"You can't break it."
Miko felt the seal surge — power flooding her.
Break.
She pushed harder.
The dome shattered — violet mist exploding outward.
The Mistborn staggered.
Miko advanced — shadows roaring.
The woman backed off — eyes wide.
"You're… different."
Miko stopped.
"I'm me."
The woman retreated — vanishing into the mist.
The spawn dissolved.
Silence.
Kael looked at Miko.
"You okay?"
Miko nodded — breathing hard.
"I think so."
Kael's voice was quiet.
"You broke their trap."
Miko looked at the spot where the woman disappeared.
"They'll be back."
Kael nodded.
"We'll be ready."
The seal pulsed — once, satisfied.
Ready.
To be continued…