The Keeper led them through the forest for hours.The path twisted and turned, seeming to change behind them. Kael tried to memorize landmarks, but everything looked the same. Ancient trees, glowing moss and shadows that moved wrong.Finally, they reached a stone structure half buried in the earth. It looked like ruins from another age, covered in vines and symbols Kael didn't recognize."This was your grandfather's sanctuary," the Keeper said, pushing open a heavy wooden door. "He built it when the wars began. A place to hide what mattered most."Inside, the ruins opened into a surprisingly intact chamber. Torches lit themselves as they entered, revealing walls covered in weapons, books, and strange artifacts.Kael moved slowly through the space, taking it all in. Everything here belonged to his family. His history."Why show me this now?" he asked."Because you're finally strong enough to understand." The Keeper moved to a table in the center of the room. "Your grandfather knew the

The shadows moved like serpents, coiling and striking with deadly precision.Kael barely dodged the first one. It slammed into the wall behind him, leaving a crack in the stone. The second one caught his shoulder, cold as ice and sharp as razors. Pain exploded through his arm.He swung the sword, and blue energy cut through the shadow. It dissipated with a shriek."Keep moving!" Rajan shouted, deflecting another shadow with his blade.The woman at the top of the stairs watched calmly, her hand still raised. More shadows poured from her palm, filling the stairwell.Lyra threw one of her knives. It passed harmlessly through a shadow and clattered against stone."Physical attacks don't work on them!" she called."Then we go through her!" Kael charged up the stairs, sword blazing with light.The shadows converged on him. He cut through them one by one, each strike draining more of his energy. But he kept climbing, kept pushing forward.The woman's expression finally shifted. Surprise, the

Kael was halfway back to the safe house when the message came.His phone buzzed. Unknown number. He almost ignored it, but something made him check."Come alone to the old steel mill by midnight. If you want answers about your father."His blood went cold."What is it?" Dorian asked, noticing his expression.Kael showed him the message. Dorian's face darkened."It's a trap.""Obviously. But what if it's not?" Kael looked at the message again. "What if someone actually knows where my father is?""Then they would have led with that, not used it as bait." Dorian grabbed his shoulder. "Kael, we have the operation tomorrow. We can't afford distractions.""My father isn't a distraction." Kael pulled away. "I'm going.""Then I'm coming with you.""The message says alone.""I don't care what it says."They argued for ten minutes before Kael finally agreed to let Dorian follow at a distance. Not ideal, but better than nothing.The steel mill loomed against the night sky, a skeleton of rust and

The safe house was silent when they arrived.Kael raised his hand, stopping everyone. He listened carefully. No sounds of movement. No breathing. Nothing."Stay behind me," he whispered.He pushed the door open slowly. Inside, the furniture was overturned. Bullet holes pocked the walls. Blood stained the floor.But no bodies."They took them," Lyra said, examining the blood. "Still fresh. Maybe an hour ago.""Who was supposed to be here?" Rajan asked."Three of Vincent's people. Two from Hayes's group." Dorian checked his phone. "No messages. No warnings."Kael's phone buzzed. Everyone tensed.Another unknown number. A video file.He opened it.The screen showed a dark room. Five people tied to chairs, beaten and bloody. Vincent's people. Hayes's people. All of them barely conscious.Then a figure stepped into frame. Hooded, face hidden in shadow."Kael Draven," a distorted voice said. "You've been busy. Destroying our facilities. Killing our soldiers. Making alliances with our enemie

The abandoned church sat on the edge of the city, forgotten by everyone except those who needed to hide.Kael stood in the center of the nave, the Crystal of Echoes hovering in the air before him. It had been three days since the tunnel. Three days of experimenting with the crystal's power.And three days of feeling something change inside him."You're glowing again," Lyra said from the doorway.Kael looked down. Blue light radiated from his skin, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat. He'd been doing that more often lately."I can't control it," he admitted."Maybe you're not supposed to." Rajan sat on a broken pew, sharpening his blade. "Your body's adapting. Changing."The Warlord's flip phone buzzed. Another message."The crystal has awakened your dormant genes. What comes next will be painful. Do not resist the transformation."Kael stared at the message. Transformation. The word felt ominous."What does that mean?" Lyra asked, reading over his shoulder.Before Kael could answer,