I woke up early just before dawn when a loud crash echoed outside.
My body snapped upright.
Moments later, my door opened.
Liora stood there, damp with sweat, breathing fast. "Apologies for the intrusion," she said. "The Rain Cycle has started again."
I stood, stretching my arms lightly. "Is there a problem?"
"Yes," she said. "Since the rain began, the stronghold's been under constant assault. The beasts are back."
My jaw tightened.
Rainbitter
The rain-born monsters. The ones that only come when the sky turns.
I moved quickly, taking the stairs two at a time until I reached the upper level. I pulled aside the heavy curtain by the window.
Outside, the world was drowned in early morning stormlight. Grey skies. Endless rain.
Below, the rainbitter were already here pounding against the outer wall. Some clawed at the stone, others tried to climb.
And in the distance, the mist shifted.
Something larger was moving behind them.
