The deeper they walked into the Hunters' Domain, the quieter it became.
The busy halls faded behind them, replaced by long, narrow corridors carved from dark stone. The glowing symbols on the walls grew brighter here, pulsing softly like a heartbeat.
Adrian felt it immediately.
The mark on his wrist responded.
A faint glow spread beneath his sleeve.
"…Kai," he whispered.
"I feel it," Kai replied.
His voice was low, tense.
"Stay close."
Adrian didn't argue.
Something about this place felt… different.
Heavier.
Like the air itself was watching him.
Riven stopped in front of a large door.
Unlike the others, this one was sealed with intricate symbols—circles within circles, layered with glowing lines that shifted slowly.
Adrian frowned.
"…That doesn't look welcoming."
Riven ignored him.
He placed his hand against the center.
The symbols reacted instantly.
A low hum filled the corridor.
Then—
The door opened.
---
Inside the Oracle's Chamber
The room was vast.
Dimly lit.
At the center stood a raised platform, surrounded by floating fragments of light—like broken pieces of stars suspended in the air.
And on that platform—
Someone was sitting.
A woman.
Long silver hair flowed down her back, her eyes closed as if she were asleep. Light surrounded her faintly, like a soft aura.
Adrian blinked.
"…That's the Oracle?"
Kai nodded.
"Yes."
Riven stepped forward.
"Oracle."
His voice echoed softly.
The woman's eyes opened.
They glowed faintly.
Not like Kai's blue.
Not like the Harbinger's red.
Something… deeper.
Ancient.
She looked directly at Adrian.
And in that moment—
Adrian felt exposed.
Like she could see everything.
Every thought.
Every fear.
"…You brought him," she said quietly.
Her voice was calm.
But it carried weight.
Riven nodded.
"He's marked."
The Oracle tilted her head slightly.
"I can see that."
Her gaze didn't leave Adrian.
"Come closer."
Adrian hesitated.
Kai leaned slightly toward him.
"It's okay."
Adrian swallowed.
Then stepped forward.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Until he stood at the base of the platform.
The Oracle watched him carefully.
"…Interesting."
Adrian shifted uncomfortably.
"Uh… what is?"
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she extended her hand.
"Give me your wrist."
Adrian froze.
Kai tensed.
"Be careful," Kai warned.
The Oracle gave a faint smile.
"I always am."
Adrian slowly raised his arm.
The mark pulsed.
Brighter.
The moment her fingers touched his skin—
Everything changed.
---
The Vision
Darkness.
Endless.
Adrian's body froze.
He couldn't move.
Couldn't breathe.
Voices echoed around him.
"…He has awakened…"
"…The core has returned…"
"…The balance will break…"
Adrian's heart pounded.
"Stop…!"
But the voices grew louder.
Shadows rose around him.
Massive.
Towering.
And then—
He saw it again.
The same presence from before.
The one with black glowing eyes.
But this time—
It was clearer.
Closer.
"…You cannot run from what you are…"
Adrian shook his head.
"No…"
The shadow reached toward him.
"…You are mine…"
"NO!"
---
Back in the Chamber
Adrian gasped sharply.
He collapsed forward.
Kai caught him instantly.
"Adrian!"
Adrian clutched his chest, breathing hard.
"I… I saw it again…"
The Oracle withdrew her hand slowly.
Her expression had changed.
No longer calm.
Now—
Serious.
Even… concerned.
Riven noticed immediately.
"What did you see?"
The Oracle didn't answer him.
Instead, she looked at Adrian.
"You've already made contact."
Adrian's breath shook.
"…What does that mean?"
The Oracle's voice lowered.
"It means the Void is not just calling you."
She paused.
"It has recognized you."
Silence filled the chamber.
Kai's grip tightened slightly on Adrian.
"That shouldn't be possible."
The Oracle shook her head slowly.
"And yet… it has happened."
Adrian swallowed.
"…Why me?"
The Oracle's gaze softened slightly.
"Because you are not just a vessel."
Adrian blinked.
"…Then what am I?"
The Oracle stood.
Slowly.
Gracefully.
The floating lights around her shifted.
"You are a bridge."
The word echoed.
"A bridge between the human world… and the Void."
Adrian felt his chest tighten.
"That doesn't sound good."
"It isn't," Riven muttered.
Kai didn't look away from the Oracle.
"What happens if the bridge completes?"
The Oracle's expression darkened.
"The barrier between worlds will collapse."
Adrian's heart stopped.
"…Collapse?"
She nodded.
"The Void will fully enter this world."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Adrian's voice came out weak.
"And me…?"
The Oracle looked at him directly.
"You will either control it…"
A pause.
Or—
"You will become it."
Adrian's hands trembled.
"No… I don't want that…"
Kai stepped closer.
"You won't."
The Oracle watched them both.
Then said quietly—
"There is one way to stop it."
Everyone looked at her.
Adrian's eyes filled with hope.
"What is it?"
The Oracle hesitated.
Then—
"You must sever the connection."
Adrian frowned.
"…How?"
The Oracle's gaze shifted to Kai.
And for the first time—
There was something meaningful in her expression.
Something heavy.
Something personal.
"By breaking the bond that anchors him to this world."
Adrian blinked.
"…Bond?"
Kai's body went still.
Completely still.
Adrian looked at him.
"…Kai?"
The Oracle's voice echoed softly.
"The one who protects him…"
A pause.
"…Is also the one keeping him human."
Adrian's heart skipped.
"No…"
Kai didn't speak.
Didn't move.
The Oracle finished the sentence.
"If that bond is broken…"
Adrian's voice shook.
"…Then what happens to me?"
The Oracle's answer was quiet.
But it hit like a blade.
"You may survive…"
A pause.
"…But you will lose what makes you human."
Silence.
Adrian stared at Kai.
Kai still didn't move.
Didn't speak.
And suddenly—
Everything felt fragile.
Like one wrong step…
Could break everything between them.