Eren pulled her to sit on a fallen log, still trembling.
"Raya… there's something you must understand."
She wrapped her arms around herself.
"Just tell me."
"Revenants…"
He paused, choosing his words carefully.
"They were not hunting you because you were marked."
"Then why?"
"They were hunting you because you're… forbidden."
Raya blinked.
"I don't understand."
"Creatures born from the Sovereign are not allowed to exist outside his domain. None have survived in the human world. If the other kingdoms find out about you—"
"They'll try to kill me?" she whispered.
"No," Eren said softly.
"Worse."
Her stomach twisted.
"Raya…"
He took her hand gently.
"You are a walking war. A living threat. If they capture you, they'll use you to challenge him."
"Challenge the Sovereign? Can anyone even do that?"
"No."
Eren's voice was firm.
"But they will try."
Raya's pulse quickened.
"So I can't go home. I can't go to school. I can't even walk in daylight because shadows are everywhere—"
Eren squeezed her hand.
"You have me."
"That's not enough!"
His jaw tightened.
"I'll make it enough."
Raya stared at him, stunned.
"You'll die for me, won't you?"
Without hesitation:
"Yes."
Her heart dropped.
Before she could respond, the air around them shifted—like pressure tightening.
Eren stood instantly.
"No…" he whispered.
"They found us already?"
Raya stood too, panic rising.
"Revenants?"
"No. Something worse."
Branches snapped. The ground hummed.
A figure stepped out of the trees—tall, cloaked in gray armor marked with glowing runes.
A pale mask hid its face.
Eren swore under his breath.
"A Watcher."
Raya had never seen Eren afraid like this.
"What is a Watcher?" she whispered.
"A hunter of forbidden beings," he said tightly.
"A hunter of YOU."
The creature bowed its masked head to her.
"Progeny of the Shadow Sovereign," it said, voice echoing unnaturally.
"You are summoned."
Raya's blood froze.
"Summoned? By who?!"
The Watcher raised a sigil glowing blood-red.
"The High Council of Revenants."
Eren grabbed Raya, pulling her behind him.
"No. She's not going anywhere."
The Watcher ti
lted its head.
"You do not decide."
Raya's mark burned like fire.
And the Watcher stepped forward.