The sky over Eldwyre had shifted from morning mist to a brewing storm. Liam, Mira, and Seraphina rushed through the narrow alleys behind the Emberlight Sanctum, cloaked in urgency. The streets had emptied unnaturally fast—as if the people sensed that something far worse than rain was coming.
Every few steps, Liam could feel the strange pull from the ring tightening on his finger. It burned, not painfully—but like a brand waking up after centuries of slumber.
"What is this thing?" he finally asked, holding up his hand.
Mira didn't slow her pace. "That ring belonged to your father. It contains part of the Seal. It was meant to keep you hidden."
"And now it's doing the opposite," Seraphina muttered, blades gleaming at her side. "It's like a beacon for everything cursed and corrupt."
Suddenly, a loud thud crashed in front of them. Cobblestones cracked and scattered. A dark figure emerged from the smoke—a masked mercenary clad in black armor, eyes glowing faintly crimson.
He didn't speak.
He didn't need to.
A symbol glowed on his chest—the insignia of the Broken Circle.
"Step aside," Mira warned, raising her staff.
But the masked man drew a jagged blade and lunged forward.
Seraphina met him first, her movements swift and fluid. Sparks flew as steel clashed with steel. Liam backed away instinctively—but the ring tightened, and time slowed.
For a split second, he saw it.
The man's past.
Torture. Rebirth. A memory sealed behind blood.
He gasped.
"Liam, behind you!" Mira yelled.
Another attacker leaped from a rooftop.
But this time, Liam didn't run. Instinct took over. He raised his hand—and a pulse of golden energy erupted from the ring.
The assailant was blasted backward mid-air, crashing into a wall and falling unconscious.
Seraphina paused mid-fight. "Well... damn. Not bad, rookie."
Liam stared at his hand. The ring's glow faded—but its whisper remained.
"You are not ready. But you must become ready."
The masked mercenary retreated, vanishing into the fog with the others.
"They were testing us," Mira said, catching her breath. "Measuring your power."
Seraphina sheathed her blades. "Then we give them a surprise next time."
Liam still stared at the cracked stones where the ring's blast had landed. "I didn't know I could do that."
"You didn't," Mira said softly. "The ring acted through you."
"But for how long?" Seraphina added. "Eventually, you'll have to control it. Or it'll control you."
Liam met their eyes, then looked out over the city.
"I want answers. No more riddles."
"You'll get them," Mira said. "Once we reach Arkan Hollow."
The sky rumbled.
And behind the clouds, something watched.
To be continued…