The cave mouth was narrow — just wide enough for two people to pass side by side.
Miko and Kael stood at the entrance — dawn light filtering through the vines, turning everything soft and gold.
Miko's head still throbbed from the dream rift — the seal's voice echoing faintly in the background.
Delay. Only delay.
Kael looked at her — eyes searching.
"You're still pale."
Miko rubbed her temples.
"It's quieter now.
But it's still there."
Kael stepped closer — hand on her shoulder.
"You pushed it back.
That's what matters."
Miko looked up at him.
"I saw it.
The seal.
It looked like me.
But… darker.
It said I could be free if I just let go."
Kael's grip tightened — gentle.
"It's lying."
Miko nodded — slow.
"I know.
But it felt… good.
For a second.
Like if I just stopped fighting, everything would be easy."
Kael's voice was low.
"Easy isn't worth losing you."
Miko met his eyes.
"I don't want easy.
I want us."
Kael's expression softened — just a fraction.
"Then we keep fighting."
Miko smiled — small, tired.
"Together."
Kael nodded.
"Together."
They stepped out.
The camp was chaos.
Rift-walkers running — shouting.
Rhea met them halfway — face grim.
"They're here."
Miko tensed.
"Who?"
Rhea's voice was tight.
"Mistborn.
And academy hunters.
They're closing in from both sides."
Kael's shadows snapped out — scouting.
"How many?"
Rhea shook her head.
"Too many.
We can't hold them."
Miko looked at Kael.
"We run?"
Kael shook his head.
"They'll cut us off."
Rhea spoke.
"There's a back tunnel — leads to the old rift scar.
If you go now, you might make it."
Miko looked at her.
"And you?"
Rhea's smile was thin.
"We'll hold them as long as we can."
Kael's voice was quiet.
"You don't have to."
Rhea met his eyes.
"We chose this life.
Go."
Miko nodded — throat tight.
"Thank you."
Rhea handed her a small map — leather, marked with a red line.
"Follow this.
It leads under the academy.
To the Mother."
Miko took it.
Rhea looked at Kael.
"Keep her alive."
Kael nodded.
"I will."
They ran.
Behind them — shouts, clash of steel, violet mist exploding.
The seal pulsed — once, almost sad.
They die for you.
Miko pushed it down.
They die for what they believe.
The voices quieted.
For now.
They ran.