at was lost, you must first

e of

pped countin

sunlight. No sounds, except the distant buzz of electric

crusted around his wrists. His head throbbed from de

ay, the halluci

ring scriptures softly. Then his father, standing wi

ey whispered

he was now. She was a child again, l

betray each

t deeper tha

Inte

he door cr

epped in. He was clean, elega

Nzer

said softly, setting a chair bef

spy whisper. "You're

psychiatrist. Formerly of the

ded hi

urn grief into purpose. You've become... efficient. Focused. A

"You want to turn

w long your *purpose* survives when the

e and laid a photog

an

hway security cam

the doctor sa

aks eventually. And when she does...

l

first time in

the P

bleeding,

skirts, where concrete gave way to mangroves a

ed train station and sent

espo

eone el

s, barefoot, eyes clouded by cata

hat does not forge

a shaky blad

d gods before your council burned our

red. "You kn

under a blood

ad. "You seek revenge. But re

idened. "You kn

I also know the only way in... is through the tun

allowed.

tin

h of

ser to a truth she wasn't prepared to face. The deeper they ventured into the wilderness, the more oppressive the a

ng?" Amanda asked

ing a weight of ancient knowledge. "The land that your

es narrowed

temple, a nexus where the old gods slept. They were the protectors of the land and t

ng. "Angry? What are

those who honor its guardians. Those

sentinels, their twisted roots clawing at the ground. The ground beneath Amanda's feet b

ods A

ter stood a large stone structure, overgrown with vines, its shape almos

sing through the air. It was both inviting and te

here. He sealed the land's fate with his bl

ins. As her hand hovered over the stone surface, she felt a surge of energy that al

land is reacting to you. You are the daugh

otecting land-he had been protecting something far more powerful, somethi

his," Amanda whisper

"It's your birthright. But you

vil's

body ached from the days of torment, but his mind remained sharp. He'd spent every waking mo

d, accompanied by a man Kane didn't recognize. This man

e said with a calm smile. "Meet the on

ized the scars that marred his face-the marks of a

Kane spat, struggling

dly, his voice deep. "I'm the one who

nto a faint smile. "You'll wish you had stay

survived worse. But this... this felt different. They were no longer tryin

hi's

m was thick, punctuated only by the soft tapping of his fingers against the wooden table. His eyes wer

e buzzed, snapping hi

ce on the other en

Malachi asked,

ce. But you're running out of ti

"I need more time. The go

ey do, it won't just be your world that changes. It

ne wen

th the land-his only hope of finding Kane. But the

with th

restraints. He could feel his consciousness slipping-he had to hold on. Bu

the stranger. "You think you're a hero? You think

yes narrowing. "What

n by the same thing: vengeance. And vengea

beat. "You don't know a

deal. A deal with the council. They promised him power in exchange for the land. But

nd reeled

ied because he made a deal with the wrong peop

INUE