The words hit her like physical blows.
You're the only one who lived.
Raya shook her head. "No—no, that can't be. I'm not special. I'm not—"
"You are."
Eren's voice was quiet, steady.
"You survived something no one else has."
She pressed a hand to her mark; it pulsed, almost gently now.
"Who marked me?" she whispered.
Eren's jaw clenched. "A Revenant King."
"There's—there's more than one?"
"There are entire kingdoms in the dark. You just… couldn't see them before."
She closed her eyes, trying not to shake. "Why me?"
Eren didn't answer.
Not at first.
Then he lowered his head and whispered something she almost didn't hear.
"…because he chose you."
Raya's heart tripped.
"Who?"
Eren looked up at her with eyes suddenly haunted.
"The Shadow Sovereign."
Raya stared. "What is that? A person?"
"No," Eren said softly.
"A force. A ruler. Older than demons. Older than humans."
Her breath hitched.
"Why would he choose me?"
Eren stepped closer, his voice trembling for the first time.
"Because your mark… isn't a curse."
Raya blinked. "Then what is it?"
Eren's silver eyes dimmed, like saying it pained him.
"It's a claim."
A chill tore down her spine.
"A claim… as in—"
"Yes," he whispered.
"Like ownership."
Raya stumbled back, horrified. "You're telling me some monster—some… shadow god thing—CLAIMS me?!"
Eren nodded slowly.
"And that Revenant was sent to retrieve what belongs to him."
Raya pressed a hand to her mouth to stop a scream.
"And until the Sovereign comes for
you himself," Eren whispered,
"every creature in the dark will hunt you."