Night came faster than expected.
The sky dimmed into deep purples and pale blue streaks as the group left the ravine behind. The forest, once familiar, felt foreign now — not because it changed, but because everything inside them had.
Their footsteps were quieter than usual.Even Mara wasn't filling the silence with her usual growling commentary.
Rafe noticed it immediately.
The mood felt… heavy.
Not dangerous.Not threatening.
Just heavy.
Lyn held his hand tightly, her fingers cold. Mara walked ahead, kicking stones and muttering things she didn't want anyone to hear. Selene scanned the path without speaking.
Eventually, Rafe broke the silence.
"You're all too quiet."
Mara snorted without turning around."Maybe you hit your head when that thing smashed you into the wall. We're not 'quiet.' We're thinking."
"That's worse," Rafe said.
Mara grumbled, but he could hear the small smile she tried to hide.
Lyn tugged gently at his sleeve.
"Rafe… you almost died."
Rafe exhaled.
"I didn't."
"But you almost did," she said softer."And next time… it might be worse."
Rafe stopped walking.
Lyn's voice trembled."Are… you scared?"
He hesitated.
The truth wanted to spill out — a truth he didn't like admitting.
"I wasn't," he finally said. "Not until I heard her voice."
Selene slowed down, listening.
Mara turned around.
"That Director woman?"
Rafe nodded.
"She wasn't like the Hunters. She wasn't mechanical. She wasn't limited. She was… aware. Intelligent. And she wants me."
Mara bristled."She can't have you."
Rafe almost laughed.
"I'm serious, Mara."
"I am too," she growled. "Nobody's taking you."
Lyn hugged his arm tightly.
"She said she wants to s-study you… like an experiment…"
Rafe looked down at Lyn's trembling hands.
"I won't let that happen."
Selene finally spoke.
"It might not be your choice, Rafe."
He turned to her sharply."What do you mean?"
Selene's expression softened — painfully so.
"You're a child," she said gently. "A strong one… but still a child. If the Commission finds you, they won't ask for your permission. They'll take you and call it 'world protection.' And no one will be strong enough to stop them."
Rafe clenched his teeth.
"Then I'll have to get stronger."
Selene nodded slowly.
"That is exactly why we're going to the Academy."
Lyn's voice cracked.
"Will they help us…? Really?"
Selene stared at the horizon.
"They will help him. Or they will fear him. Either way… he will be safer there than anywhere else."
They resumed walking.
But Rafe felt a familiar sensation tug at the edge of his consciousness — a soft vibration, like a deep breath inside the earth.
His steps faltered.
Selene turned."Rafe?"
The vibration grew.
A hum.A pulse.A whisper.
Not painful.Not overwhelming.
Just… present.
Inside him.
The Primordial.
Rafe tensed, fists tightening.
Mara saw it."Hey—what's wrong?"
Lyn's eyes widened. "Is it the d-dark thing again…?"
Rafe forced himself to breathe.
"I'm fine."
The whisper wasn't hostile.
It wasn't commanding.
It was… curious.
Almost amused.
Little flame…
Rafe stiffened.
Mara noticed his expression."Rafe?"
He forced a small smile.
"Just tired. That's all."
Selene didn't believe him, but she didn't push.
They kept moving.
But the whisper remained.
You carry a choice now.
Rafe ignored it.
You spoke your desire.You chose strength.
He walked faster.
Then burn.Burn until the world remembers you.
Rafe clenched his jaw so hard his teeth hurt.
I'm not yours, he thought sharply.
The whisper grew fainter.
Not yet.
Rafe's breath hitched.
Then the presence withdrew — slow, lazy, like a hand lifting from water.
Selene didn't notice.Mara didn't notice.Lyn didn't notice.
But Rafe felt it deeply inside his chest.
A shadow curling deeper into silence.A light dimming but not gone.
A promise.A threat.A bond he never asked for.
The trees parted.
A faint road appeared ahead — overgrown but still visible, leading toward distant mountains lit by moonlight.
Selene pointed forward.
"That road takes us to civilization. From there… the path to the Academy begins."
Mara took a deep breath and forced her shoulders back.
"Good. Let's go."
Lyn nodded nervously.
Rafe inhaled.
The forest behind them seemed to whisper like an old memory.
But Rafe didn't look back this time.
He stepped onto the road.
And the world — unknowingly — shuddered at the beginning of his ascent.
The Dreaming Echo faded behind him.
And the next chapter of his life waited ahead,sharp as dawn,dangerous as shadow,bright as light.