Tunde pulled Sade through the mist, running faster than any human could.
But the shadow followed—silent, massive, and hungry.
Every time Sade looked back, it was closer.
Gliding.
Stretching.
Reaching.
"Tunde, it's gaining on us!" she cried.
"I know," he said, tightening his grip on her hand. "Just keep running!"
The ground beneath them rippled like water. The sky cracked open with veins of white light. The entire realm trembled around them.
This was no ordinary spirit.
It wanted her—specifically her.
Tunde dragged Sade toward a tall archway made of stone. Strange carvings glowed on its surface—faces, symbols, spirals that seemed to move on their own.
"What is this?" Sade gasped.
"The Gate of Echoes!" Tunde shouted. "If we pass through, it can't follow!"
"But what's on the other side?"
He didn't answer.
Not because he didn't want to…
but because he didn't know.
The shadow roared, shaking the air. The mist bent backward as if bowing to it. Its voice thundered:
"Sade… RETURN TO ME."
Her knees weakened.
She felt herself being pulled—her mind slipping toward the voice.
Tunde squeezed her hand—hard.
"Sade! Look at me!"
She forced her eyes up.
"Don't let it inside your head," he warned. "That's how it controls people."
"But why me?" she whispered.
Tunde's eyes darkened.
"I think you were chosen long before this night."
The shadow surged forward, swallowing the clearing in darkness.
Tunde didn't hesitate.
"We're out of time."
He placed both hands on Sade's shoulders.
"Trust me."
Before she could reply, he pulled her through the glowing arch.
A shock hit them—like being yanked under deep water.
Sade gasped.
The world around her shattered into pieces—
light, sound, fragments of memories she didn't recognize.
Voices whispered in her ears.
Not calling her…
but warning.
"The girl who hears the river…"
"The chosen between two realms…"
"Beware the one who seeks her spirit…"
Sade clutched her head.
"Tunde! What's happening?!"
He held her tightly.
"This gate shows echoes of your past… and your future."
"My future?" she whispered.
Before he could answer—
they hit the ground.
Hard.
When Sade opened her eyes, she found herself lying on soft red sand.
The sky was deep purple.
Giant glowing trees swayed like they were breathing.
It was beautiful…
and terrifying.
"What is this place?" Sade whispered.
Tunde helped her sit up.
"The Inner Realm," he said. "Spirits don't wander here unless they're strong. And that shadow…"
He paused, looking uneasy.
"…that thing shouldn't have been able to follow you at all."
Sade hugged her knees, trembling.
"Tunde… am I in danger?"
He sat beside her, his voice low but steady.
"Yes."
Sade looked at him, fear in her eyes.
"But I'm here," he continued.
"And I'm not leaving you."
A warmth spread through her chest—comforting, soft, unexpected.
But before she could say a word—
A low rumble echoed across the sand.
Tunde stood instantly.
"That's not good."
From the glowing forest, eyes began to appear.
Dozens of them.
Watching.
Moving closer.
Sade rose slowly, her heart pounding.
"What now?" she whispered.
Tunde reached for her hand again.
"We run."
But this time…
Sade didn't run immediately.
She stared into the forest.
Because among the glowing eyes…
one shape stepped out.
A woman.
Glowing.
Graceful.
Ancient.
And she was smiling at Sade.
"Welcome home, child."
Sade froze.
"Tunde… who is that?"
He stared in shock.
"I… I don't know."
But Sade did.
Because she had seen that face before.
In her dreams.