The peace didn't last.
Barely a day after Jayden's awakening, a cold wind swept across the southern plains — not natural, not from any storm.
The Outsiders had moved.
And they weren't coming quietly.
---
Graveton Under Siege
Far across the broken lands, in the once-safe city of Graveton, the gates shuddered under impact. Adelwin stood on the watchtower, knuckles white on the rail.
Below him, flames.
Not just fire — but black flame, twisting unnaturally, devouring without smoke.
"They've begun," he murmured. "The Hollow and the Outsiders... together?"
A young scout ran up, panting. "Sir! It's not just an attack — it's a summoning. They're opening something!"
Adelwin's heart sank. "Then we don't have time."
---
Back to the Tower
Jayden, standing atop the Tower ruins, felt the pull — a sensation like gravity in reverse.
> A whisper across the Realms: "We come for the Lightbearer."
Veyna glanced at him. "They're scared of you now."
"They should be."
"But that also means they'll try to destroy you before you grow stronger."
Jayden nodded. "Then we don't give them the chance."
---
The Secret Council
Meanwhile, beneath the capital of Aros, the High Council of Hollowborn gathered in secret chambers — veiled in flame and silence.
"We should have struck when he was still split," one hissed.
"The Third Path is dangerous," another muttered. "No allegiance. No chains. If others follow—"
A hand slammed on the table. "Then he must be unmade."
And from the shadows, a new voice emerged — one not seen in years:
> "Leave Jayden to me."
The chamber froze.
Because it was Kaelric.
But not as he was before.
His armor cracked with Void energy. His eyes no longer red or black — but silver.
Neither Hollow nor Outsider.
Something else.
---
Return to Graveton
Back in Graveton, chaos erupted as a rift tore through the sky above the eastern wall.
Creatures like smoke with bones slithered out — creatures with no names, only hunger.
And in the center of it all stood a girl with chains around her arms and eyes covered by a veil.
She spoke one word:
> "Deliver."
And the shadows obeyed.
---
Jayden's Decision
Far away, Jayden clenched his fists as he saw the signs in the sky. "Graveton is under siege. Adelwin needs us."
Veyna nodded. "Then we fly."
"No," Jayden said. "We rise."
From the shattered stones of the Tower, light spiraled around them. Wings of flame burst from Jayden's back — not birdlike, but like written runes made real.
And as he rose, he said:
> "They wanted to end the story here. But they forgot—"
> "I'm not the hero. I'm the beginning of a new one."
---
Reader's Echo
> If you've ever felt the darkness closing in…
If you've ever stood at the edge, unsure of your next move…
Know this:
The gate of fear is not the end. It's the door to your courage.
And sometimes, rising doesn't look like flying.
It looks like trying one more time.