They left the cave at dawn — tablet wrapped in cloth, carried between them.
The trail led through ruined outposts — old academy watchposts, crumbled by time and rifts.
The seal hummed — steady.
Close.
They reached a larger ruin — half a cathedral, walls still standing, roof gone.
Mistborn were waiting.
Twenty — cloaks billowing, violet paint glowing in the dark.
The woman stepped forward.
"You have the tablet."
Miko's shadows rose — crimson.
"You want it."
The woman smiled.
"We want the key."
Kael's shadows exploded — wall rising.
The Mistborn attacked.
Spears flashed — violet tips glowing.
Kael fought — shadows lashing, blocking.
Miko fought — crimson tendrils striking, piercing.
One spear grazed Kael's arm — blood bloomed.
Miko spun — spear through the attacker's chest.
He fell.
Another Mistborn lunged — blade aimed at Miko's throat.
Kael intercepted — shadows forming a shield.
The blade sparked.
Miko pushed — crimson storm exploding.
Mistborn staggered — some falling.
The woman watched — calm.
"You're strong."
Miko glared.
"You're next."
The woman laughed.
"Not yet."
She raised both hands.
Violet mist surged — forming a dome around them.
Trapping them.
Kael's shadows battered — useless.
Miko pushed — crimson storm hitting the dome.
It cracked — slightly.
The woman's smile faded.
"You're growing."
Miko felt the seal surge — power flooding her.
Break.
She pushed harder.
The dome shattered — violet mist exploding outward.
The Mistborn retreated — vanishing into the mist.
The tablet pulsed — once, bright.
Miko lowered her hands.
Kael looked at her.
"You okay?"
Miko nodded.
"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…