The Whispering Gorge was a narrow canyon carved by an ancient rift — walls of black stone veined with violet, air thick with low murmurs that never quite formed words.
Miko and Kael descended at dawn — ropes tied, shadows probing ahead.
The seal pulsed — steady, but heavier.
Listen.
Miko felt dizzy — head spinning from the moment they entered the gorge.
Kael noticed.
"Stop."
She leaned against the wall — breathing shallow.
"The voices… they're everywhere."
Kael crouched in front of her — shadows forming a small barrier against the mist.
"What are they saying?"
Miko closed her eyes.
"'Let go.'
'Join us.'
'Be free.'
And… my name.
Over and over."
Kael's voice was low.
"Can you push them back?"
Miko nodded — shaky.
"I'm trying.
But it's like they're inside my skull now.
Not outside."
Kael took her hand.
"You're still here.
You're still you."
Miko opened her eyes — looked at him.
"I know.
But it's getting harder to believe that."
Kael's grip tightened.
"Then believe in this."
He placed her hand on his chest — over his heartbeat.
"Feel that?
That's real.
That's me.
That's us."
Miko felt the steady thump — strong, alive.
The voices quieted — slightly.
The seal pulsed — once, almost annoyed.
He's weak.
Miko flinched.
Kael felt it.
"What?"
Miko's voice shook.
"It said… you're weak."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"It's lying."
Miko looked at him.
"I know.
But it's getting louder when it talks about you."
Kael pulled her close — arms around her.
"Then let it talk.
I'm not going anywhere."
Miko rested her head on his shoulder.
"I don't want to hurt you."
Kael's voice was quiet.
"You won't."
Miko closed her eyes.
"I'm scared I will."
Kael held her tighter.
"Then we face it together."
They sat like that — mist swirling, voices whispering.
The seal stayed quiet.
For now.