His father's eyes opened fully, and Miko's breath caught. The clouded, pain-filled gaze from before had vanished entirely. These eyes were clear, sharp, and cold as winter frost. They studied Miko with the calculating interest of a scientist observing a successful experiment."Tell me, Miko," his father said conversationally, as if they were discussing the weather rather than huddled in an ancient chamber while their world collapsed outside. "Did you never wonder why I pushed you so hard? Why I insisted on perfection in every technique, every form, every breath?""You wanted me to be strong," Miko replied automatically, though the words felt hollow now. "To protect others. To be a hero."His father's laugh was soft but utterly devoid of warmth. "A hero. Yes, I suppose that's what you became. The perfect hero. Noble, self-sacrificing, powerful enough to gather the keys but pure enough that the others would follow you without question." He tilted his head, studying Miko's face. "You exc

The Master's gaze lingered on each fallen warrior with the detached interest of a collector examining specimens. His shadows writhed around him, tasting the fear and pain that saturated the chamber air. When his eyes finally settled on Samson, something cold and final crystallized in his expression. "You," he said simply. Samson, despite the hole in his shoulder still weeping blood, forced himself to his feet. His war hammer lay just out of reach, but his massive fists clenched with purpose. Even broken, even dying, he stood like a mountain—immovable and defiant. "Figured it'd be me," Samson rumbled, his voice steady despite the pain that must have been excruciating. "Always knew I'd die fighting. Just thought it'd be for something better than this." "Better?" The Master tilted his head. "You're dying for exactly what you lived for—protecting those weaker than yourself. Isn't that noble enough?" Miko tried to crawl forward, his useless legs dragging behind him like dead weigh

The abandoned mill became their world. For Miko, it was a prison of immobility and pain, each breath a reminder of his shattered spine. The rough grain sacks beneath him offered little comfort, and the musty air tasted of decay and old sorrows. But worse than the physical agony was the mental torture—replaying the moment of betrayal, seeing Samson's final smile, feeling the weight of complete failure. Night fell, bringing with it a bone-deep cold that the mill's broken walls couldn't keep out. Marcus's sister, Sara, worked by candlelight to treat their injuries with what limited supplies they had. Her hands were gentle but her face was grim. "The nerve damage is extensive," she told Akiya quietly, though Miko heard every word. "Without a proper healer, someone who understands spinal injuries..." She didn't finish, but her meaning was clear. "I can't feel anything below my chest now," Miko said, his voice flat. "It's spreading." "Don't talk like that," Akiya snapped, but her eyes w

Miko struggled to his feet, Elena rising with him in perfect synchronization. Their shared movement felt strange but necessary—two broken halves making one functional whole. As he tested his weight on legs that could finally bear it, something nagged at the edge of his consciousness."We need to reach the Sentinel Stones," Akiya was saying, already planning their route. "If there are other warriors gathering there—""Wait." Miko's voice cut through her words. He looked around the mill, counting faces. Something was wrong. Deeply, fundamentally wrong."What is it?" Elena asked, feeling his unease through their bond."Where are Anna and Liam?" The question dropped into the room like a stone into still water.Everyone froze. Akiya's face went pale as she looked around, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly. Kieran pushed himself up despite his injuries, scanning the mill as if they might be hiding in the shadows."They were..." Renn started, then stopped, confusion clouding his featu

The false companions dragged them through the morning mist, Elena's borrowed strength forcing Miko's legs to move despite the paralysis. Each step sent spikes of pain through his spine, but the mental anguish was worse. How had he not noticed Anna and Liam were missing? How had false memories fooled him so completely?"Akiya," he said quietly, testing if he could still speak freely."Save your strength," Elena advised, but she didn't stop him from talking. Apparently conversation wasn't a threat."I'm here," Akiya replied. Blood still trickled from where Marcus had struck her, but her eyes burned with undiminished fire. "What is it?""Do you remember the others? From before all this started?""What others?" She frowned, then her eyes widened. "Blaze. Oh gods, where's Blaze?"The name hit Miko like a physical blow. Blaze—their powerhouse, their protector, the one who always charged in first and asked questions later. How could he have forgotten Blaze?"And Cabin from the… championship,