The Mistborn caught up at the valley rim.
They appeared at twilight — thirty riders on rift-bred mounts, violet eyes glowing.
The woman led them — spear raised.
"You took the crown."
Miko's shadows rose — crimson storm ready.
"You can't have it."
The woman smiled — sharp.
"We will."
The riders charged.
Mounts leaped — claws extended.
Kael's shadows exploded — wall rising, blocking the first wave.
Miko pushed — crimson tendrils lashing out.
One rider fell — mount dissolving into mist.
Another leaped over the wall — spear aimed at Miko's chest.
Kael intercepted — shadows coiling around the rider, yanking him down.
The rider hit the ground — hard.
Miko finished him — spear through the chest.
The woman watched — calm.
"You're stronger."
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 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 riders followed.
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…