The sky was still watching them. That was the first thing Kael realized. Not just the crack. Not just the thing behind it. The whole sky. Alive. We need to move, Noah said quietly. But Kael didn't. He was staring upward. Because for a split second he saw her. Not clearly. Not fully. But enough. Elara he whispered. And then she was gone. They didn't stay in the town. They couldn't. Because whatever that thing was,it wasn't alone. By midnight, they were already deep in the forest again. The same forest. But not the same. It's changed, Noah said. The trees were taller. Darker. Closer. Like the forest was closing in around them. Or maybe Kael said quietly,we are seeing in the way it really is. A space. Neither of them liked that answer.
You saw her, Kael said suddenly. Noah stiffened slightly. What? Kael stopped Walking. Turned. Don't lie. Silence. Then Noah exhaled. Yeah. Kael's jaw tightened. Where? Noah hesitated. Not outside. A beat. Inside my head. Everything went still. Kael frowned. What do you mean?
Noah looked up. Conflicted. I heard her voice, he said. A pause. She told me not to follow you. Silence. Kael's expression darkened instantly. And you didn't listen. Noah let out a humorless laugh. Since when do I listen to her? That hit harder than it should have.
They kept waking. But something had shifted. Subtle. Dangerous. Noah's movements were sharper now. More controlled. Less human. Kael noticed. Of course he did. You are changing. Noah didn't deny it. Maybe I'm just remembering. That was worse.
A sound. Behind them. Branches snapping. But this time, they didn't turn. Because they already knew. They weren't alone. They are following us, Noah said. Kael nodded slightly. Let them. A pause. We will get answers.
They stopped in a clearing. Moonlight barely reaching the ground. And then they appeared. Three of them. Not fully human. Not fully broken. Watching. Waiting. Elara, one of them whispered. Kael stepped forward. Enough. His voice cut through the silence. Tell me where she is. The creatures tilted their heads. In pieces. Everything froze. What? Noah snapped. The creature smiled. She broke herself to to make this world. Kael's heart stopped. No, she is everywhere, another said. A pause. And nowhere.
They attacked. Fast. Violent. But different this time. They weren't trying to kill. They were trying to touch them.
One grabbed Noah. For a second, flash. A memory. Elara, screaming. Noah don't trust, the memory cut. Noah snapped back. Breathing hard. They are showing memories, Kael didn't need to be told. He let one grab him. Flash. Elara crying. Holding his face. I didn't choose him because I loved him more. A pause. I chose him because I thought you'd survive. Back to now. Kael froze. Everything inside him shattered.
That's not true. He whispered. But his voice. Didn't believe it.
Something snapped. Kael moved. Faster than before. More violent. He tore through them,not clean. Not controlled. Angry. And this time they didn't come back.
Silence fell again. Heavy. Broken. Noah wiped blood from his face. We need to find the rest of her. Kael didn't answer. He was staring at his hands. Still shaking. She's not gone, Noah continued. She's scattered. A pause. Across this world.
The crack in the sky pulsed again. Stronger now. And this time, a voice came through. Clear. Not broken. Not distant. Elara is not the only one who came back. Silence. Kael's eyes darkened. What does that mean? The voice smiled. You will remember soon. And suddenly, Noah dropped to his knees screaming.