Kael didn't get a choice.
He realized that the moment the man moved his hand—and the world… folded.
The ruined village disappeared.
Not faded.
Not blurred.
Just—
Gone.
Cold air slammed into Kael's face.
Dry.
Sharp.
Alive.
He stumbled forward, barely catching himself before falling onto solid stone.
Not mud.
Not broken earth.
Stone.
Kael looked up.
And froze.
They were no longer in Veyrin.
Towering walls surrounded them—black stone rising into a sky that hadn't seen sunlight in years. Blue flames burned along the ramparts, casting unnatural light across the massive gates ahead.
Symbols were carved everywhere.
Not decorative.
Warning.
"…Where are we?" Kael asked quietly.
"The outer gate of Velkaris," the man replied.
Kael swallowed.
Even he had heard that name.
A city that didn't exist on maps.
A place where powerful Sigil-bearers were taken.
And rarely… returned.
"You brought me here… just like that?" Kael said.
The man glanced at him.
"Distance doesn't matter when you understand space."
That wasn't comforting.
The massive gates creaked open slowly.
No guards.
No voices.
Just silence.
And yet—
Kael felt watched.
"Move," the man said.
Kael hesitated for half a second.
Then walked.
The moment he stepped inside—
The air changed.
Heavier.
Thicker.
Like the city itself was breathing.
Streets stretched ahead—dark stone paths lined with towering structures. No market noise. No laughter.
Only movement.
People.
Dozens of them.
All different.
All dangerous.
Kael felt it immediately.
Power.
Some walked calmly, their presence quiet but deep—like still water hiding something massive beneath.
Others—
Were storms.
One man passed by, flames flickering across his skin like they belonged there.
Another woman's shadow moved separately from her body, lagging half a second behind.
Kael's chest tightened.
"They're all… Sigil users."
"Not all," the man replied.
Kael frowned. "What does that mean?"
The man didn't answer.
That silence said more than words.
They turned into a narrower path.
Less crowded.
More controlled.
Then—
A voice cut through the air.
"So this is the one?"
Kael turned.
She stood leaning against a pillar, arms crossed, watching him like he was something mildly interesting.
A girl.
Around his age.
Dark hair fell loosely around her shoulders, slightly messy, like she didn't care enough to fix it. Her eyes—
Sharp.
Observant.
Dangerous in a quiet way.
"…He doesn't look like much."
Kael frowned.
"Good to know you're polite."
She smirked.
"And he talks back. That's new."
The man stepped forward slightly.
"Lyra. Enough."
So that's her name.
Lyra pushed off the pillar, walking closer.
Slow.
Measured.
Kael felt it instantly.
Her presence didn't crush the air.
Didn't burn it.
It bent it.
Subtle.
But unnatural.
She stopped right in front of him.
Closer than necessary.
Then tilted her head.
"…You're weird."
Kael blinked. "That's your first impression?"
"No," she said.
A pause.
"It's just the only one I can say out loud."
Something about the way she said it—
Wasn't mocking.
It was… serious.
Kael didn't like that.
"Back off," he muttered.
Lyra didn't move.
Instead—
Her eyes shifted slightly.
Not to him.
To his shadow.
"…Yeah," she whispered.
"…definitely weird."
Kael stiffened.
The whisper inside him stirred.
She sees.
Kael's pulse spiked.
"What do you want?" he asked, sharper now.
Lyra finally stepped back.
"Relax," she said casually. "If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn't notice."
That wasn't comforting either.
The man sighed quietly.
"This isn't a meeting for curiosity. He's unstable."
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Obviously."
"Then stop provoking him."
She shrugged.
"Fine."
But her eyes stayed on Kael.
Watching.
Studying.
"Come," the man said, turning.
Kael followed.
But slower this time.
Because now—
He knew something important.
These people weren't just strong.
They were different.
Like him.
Or maybe—
Nothing like him at all.
They entered a large chamber.
Circular.
Empty.
Symbols covered the floor.
Glowing faintly.
Kael stopped at the center.
"What is this?"
"A test," the man replied.
Of course it was.
Kael let out a quiet breath.
"Another one?"
"This one decides whether you live here… or disappear."
That got his attention.
"…Disappear?"
Lyra leaned against the wall behind them.
"Don't worry," she said lightly.
"If you die, it'll be quick."
Kael ignored her.
Barely.
The man stepped back.
"Show us your power."
Kael froze.
"I don't control it."
"Then try."
Silence.
Kael looked down.
At his hands.
Nothing.
No fire.
No mark.
No sign.
Just normal.
"…I don't know how."
The man's voice hardened.
"Then learn."
The symbols on the floor flared.
Bright.
Violent.
Pressure slammed down from all directions.
Kael dropped to one knee.
His body shook.
Too much.
Too sudden.
Lyra's expression changed slightly.
"…That's not normal."
The man didn't respond.
"Stand," he ordered.
Kael tried.
Failed.
The pressure increased.
Bones creaked.
Breath shortened.
The whisper returned.
They're forcing you.
Kael gritted his teeth.
Break them.
"No…" he muttered.
Then break yourself.
Something snapped again.
Not violently like before.
But deeper.
More controlled.
The shadows beneath Kael spread slowly.
Not wild.
Not hungry.
Listening.
Waiting.
Kael's hand pressed against the ground.
And for the first time—
He chose.
"Move."
The shadows obeyed.
They rose.
Not attacking.
Not exploding.
Just… existing.
The pressure around him cracked.
Split.
Just enough—
For him to stand.
Silence filled the chamber.
The man's eyes sharpened.
Lyra straightened.
"…He's controlling it."
Barely.
But enough.
Kael's chest rose and fell.
"…Is that what you wanted?" he asked.
The man didn't answer immediately.
He watched.
Carefully.
Then—
"…No."
A pause.
"…but it's a start."
Kael's shadow twitched again.
Unstable.
Unfinished.
The whisper inside him faded once more.
For now.
Lyra smiled slightly.
"…Yeah."
Her eyes locked with his.
"This is going to be interesting."