Morning in Eryndor arrived slowly, hidden behind thick gray clouds that still carried the remnants of last night's storm. The rain had stopped, but the streets were soaked, reflecting the dull glow of traffic lights and storefront signs. The city moved like it always did—busy, loud, unaware of the strange events that had unfolded while most people slept.
For them, it was just another day.
For me, it felt like the beginning of something worse.
I stood on the rooftop outside the warehouse, staring across the skyline. My jacket was still damp from the night before, and I hadn't slept at all. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard that voice again.
You carry the blood of the First Shadow.
It echoed in my mind like a bell that refused to stop ringing.
Behind me, the metal door creaked open.
"You're still awake," Kael said.
I didn't turn around.
"Did you sleep?"
"No."
"Good."
I glanced over my shoulder.
"That's a strange thing to say."
Kael walked over and stood beside me, his eyes scanning the surrounding buildings like he was expecting someone to jump out at any moment.
"Sleep makes people careless," he said.
"Pretty sure exhaustion does the same thing."
Kael didn't argue with that.
For a moment we just stood there in silence, watching the city slowly wake up.
Cars began filling the streets. A few early commuters hurried along the sidewalks with coffee cups in their hands. Somewhere down the block, a delivery truck rumbled past.
Normal life.
It felt almost surreal.
"Last night," I said slowly, "that thing in the warehouse…"
"The shadow entity," Kael said.
"Yeah. That."
"What about it?"
"You didn't seem surprised."
Kael folded his arms.
"I suspected something like that might happen."
I stared at him.
"You suspected that an ancient shadow spirit would show up and start talking about realms and destiny?"
"Yes."
I rubbed my temples.
"You really need to start sharing information earlier."
Kael ignored the complaint.
"The shadow realm is tied directly to your bloodline. It was only a matter of time before something from that realm noticed your awakening."
"That doesn't make me feel better."
"It wasn't meant to."
I sighed.
"That's becoming your catchphrase."
The wind shifted slightly, carrying the faint smell of wet asphalt through the air.
I leaned against the railing and stared down at the streets below.
"Kael."
"Yes?"
"What if it's right?"
"About what?"
"About me being the last descendant of this… First Shadow."
Kael was quiet for a moment.
"It is possible."
"Possible?" I repeated. "That feels like something you would've mentioned earlier."
"You were already dealing with hunters."
"And now I'm dealing with ancient shadow spirits."
"Correct."
I groaned.
"This keeps getting worse."
Kael looked at me.
"It will."
I pointed at him.
"You're unbelievably bad at encouraging people."
Before he could respond, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
The sound felt strangely loud in the quiet morning air.
I frowned and pulled it out.
"Who even knows this number?"
The screen showed a message from an unknown contact.
Three words.
We see you.
A chill ran down my spine.
"Kael," I said slowly.
"Yes?"
"I just got a message."
"What does it say?"
I turned the phone so he could see.
His expression darkened immediately.
"Do you recognize the number?" he asked.
"No."
Kael scanned the surrounding rooftops again.
"Stay alert."
"Always comforting advice."
Before I could say anything else, another message appeared on the screen.
You are not difficult to find.
My pulse quickened.
"Okay," I muttered, "that's creepy."
Kael stepped closer.
"Do not respond."
"I wasn't planning to."
A third message appeared almost instantly.
Turn around.
Every muscle in my body tensed.
Slowly, I lifted my head.
Across the street, on the rooftop of a tall office building, a figure stood at the edge.
Watching us.
My stomach dropped.
"Kael…"
"I see them."
The figure raised one hand in a casual wave.
Not a hunter.
No cloak.
No armor.
Just a man in a long dark coat, standing calmly in the morning light like he had all the time in the world.
"Friend of yours?" I asked.
"No."
"That's reassuring."
The man's voice suddenly echoed across the distance, carried by the wind like it was right beside us.
"Adrian Cole!"
I froze.
"Well," I said quietly, "that's definitely my name."
The man smiled faintly.
"Your reputation is growing."
Kael stepped slightly in front of me.
"Leave."
The stranger chuckled.
"You hunters are always so direct."
My eyebrows shot up.
"Wait."
I looked at Kael.
"He thinks you're still a hunter?"
Kael didn't respond.
The man continued speaking.
"Relax. I'm not here to fight."
"That's exactly what the last group said," I replied.
The stranger leaned casually against the rooftop railing.
"My name is Cassian."
I crossed my arms.
"Okay, Cassian. Why are you watching us?"
His smile widened slightly.
"Because you're interesting."
"That's not a comforting answer."
Cassian gestured vaguely toward the city.
"You've caused quite a disturbance recently. Hunters appearing in the open. Shadow energy spikes across half the district."
My stomach tightened.
"You've been tracking that?"
"Oh, yes," Cassian said calmly. "Several groups have."
Kael's voice turned sharp.
"Who do you work for?"
Cassian shrugged.
"That depends on the day."
"Answer the question."
"I'm an observer."
"That sounds fake."
Cassian laughed softly.
"It's the truth."
He straightened slightly and looked directly at me.
"But what I observe is becoming… fascinating."
I frowned.
"Why?"
"Because you're still alive."
I pointed at him.
"That's a weird compliment."
Cassian ignored the comment.
"The hunters don't usually fail this badly."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"You underestimate him."
Cassian shook his head.
"No. I'm beginning to think we all underestimated him."
I didn't like the way he said we.
"What do you want?" I asked.
Cassian looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Information."
"About me?"
"Yes."
"That's not happening."
"I expected that answer."
He pushed himself away from the railing.
"But curiosity works both ways."
I frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Cassian tilted his head slightly.
"You're wondering who else is out there."
My chest tightened.
"The other bloodlines."
My silence was all the answer he needed.
"There are more players in this war than the hunters," Cassian said calmly.
"Let me guess," I muttered. "That's not good news either."
"Not particularly."
He took a step back from the rooftop edge.
"But we'll speak again soon."
Kael's voice hardened.
"You will not."
Cassian smiled faintly.
"That isn't up to you."
Then he stepped backward.
And vanished from the rooftop.
Gone.
Just like that.
I stared at the empty building across the street.
"Why does everyone keep disappearing like that?"
Kael didn't answer.
His attention was fixed on the skyline.
"What is it?" I asked.
His voice was quiet.
"We're being watched."
I glanced around nervously.
"By Cassian?"
"No."
A cold feeling settled in my chest.
"Then by who?"
Kael looked toward the distant towers at the center of the city.
"By someone much more dangerous."
The shadows at my feet stirred uneasily.
And deep down, I had the terrible feeling that whoever was watching us now…
Had been waiting a very long time for me to appear.