The Name in the Darkness
That night, Kael couldn't sleep.
The mark burned faintly, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat.
He sat alone in his room, staring at his reflection.
Then—
The air shifted.
The room darkened slightly.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"You're here," he said quietly.
A voice answered.
But not from outside.
From within.
"…So you can hear me."
Kael froze.
The voice was calm.
Deep.
Ancient.
"Who are you?" Kael asked.
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"My name… no longer matters."
The shadows in the room twisted slightly.
"I am what remains."
Kael stood slowly.
"You're connected to the mark."
"Yes."
Kael's expression hardened.
"What do you want?"
The voice paused.
Then answered.
"To see what you become."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"You're watching me."
"Yes."
"And if I don't like what I see…"
The shadows deepened.
"…I will erase you."
The presence vanished instantly.
The room returned to normal.
But Kael remained standing there, unmoving.
Because now he understood something terrifying.
Something was inside his world.
And it was watching him grow.