A thunderclap shattered the sky.
Not natural thunder.
This one tore through the forest like claws ripping a seam in reality.
A line of pure darkness cracked open ahead—
floating midair, widening slowly.
Raya froze.
"Eren… what is that?"
Eren grabbed her wrist.
"A rift."
"To where?"
"To him."
Raya's breath choked out in a sob.
Shadows poured from the crack like smoke, swirling around her feet in spirals.
She could feel it—
a presence inside the rift.
Watching.
Waiting.
Calling.
Come, little flame…
Raya clutched her chest.
"He's right there—I can feel him—"
Eren pulled her close, his voice edged with panic.
"You cannot step into that rift. Promise me. Say it."
Raya shook her head, trembling.
"I—I don't know if I can stop myself—"
"You CAN."
His grip tightened.
"Raya. Look at me."
She met his eyes.
"You are not a possession," Eren whispered fiercely.
"You are not his to take."
The rift pulsed.
The shadows surged violently.
Raya's hair lifted as if lifted by unseen hands.
"He's trying to pull me!"
"Then hold on!" Eren roared.
She grabbed him with both hands.
And for one terrible moment—
He began to slip from her grasp.