Kael ran.
Because when a stranger tells you that you died ten years ago—
You don't stick around for explanations.
Rain poured over the empty streets as Kael sprinted through District 19.
Behind him, footsteps echoed.
Calm. Controlled.
Not chasing.
Hunting.
"Running won't help," the man called out.
Kael turned a corner.
Dead end.
"Great," Kael muttered.
The man walked into the alley seconds later, hands in his coat pockets.
"My name is Director Virel," he said. "I work for the Obsidian Order."
Kael backed against the wall.
"Never heard of it."
"Most humans haven't."
Virel nodded toward the ashes of the destroyed Curse drifting down the alley.
"But curses have."
Kael clenched his fists.
"You're telling me monsters exist and you people just… let them roam around?"
"Not roam," Virel said calmly.
"Feed."
He stepped closer.
"You see, curses are born from human emotion. Fear. Hatred. Regret."
Kael frowned.
"So what does that have to do with me?"
Virel's eyes darkened.
"Everything."
He pointed at Kael's chest.
"That pulse you released…"
His voice dropped.
"…is the only force in existence that can permanently erase a curse."
Kael blinked.
"Wait… what?"
Virel's expression turned serious.
"And every curse in the world can feel it."
Right on cue—
Something screeched in the distance.
Then another.
And another.
The ground trembled slightly.
Kael looked toward the dark city skyline.
Shapes were moving across rooftops.
Hundreds of them.
Virel sighed.
"Well."
He cracked his knuckles.
"Looks like they're all coming."