The Hollow echoed with silence, save for the labored breaths of Kaelen, Kelvin, and Morris who had just emerged from the brutal Iron Blood trial. Each sat in a cross-legged position, steadying their frayed minds and ravaged bodies as Qi and mana slowly flowed back into their limbs.
Their skin glistened with dried blood and sweat, eyes dull with fatigue, but beneath the exhaustion was a solidified strength—an unshakable will that had been forged through agony.
Naena stood nearby, watching them with pride etched beneath her stone-like expression.
Then, a Nullcarver scout, panting and wide-eyed, approached her hurriedly.
"Elder Naena! Your granddaughter… Eirana… she's returned. But—she's not alone. She's brought back a strange entity. The others… they're panicking. Some want to attack it immediately."
Naena's brows creased.
"Entity? What kind?"
"We… we don't know. But it's not human, not beast either. It's just… there. And it hasn't spoken a single word."
