The forest swallowed them whole.
Raik sprinted ahead, weaving between trees like he knew every root and branch by heart. Kaelion followed, his breath burning in his lungs, every step a battle against exhaustion.
"Keep moving!" Raik called back. "They'll be after us soon!"
Kaelion stumbled but pushed forward, fueled by adrenaline and fear.
Behind them, the distant woods shimmered — faint lights flickering through the trees.
Soul Knights.
They were coming.
After what felt like forever, Raik veered off the trail and ducked into a small cave, hidden behind a tangle of vines.
Kaelion followed, collapsing to the ground inside, gasping for air.
Raik knelt by the entrance, peeking out carefully.
Silence.
The pursuit had passed them... for now.
Raik let out a breath and turned to Kaelion, a grin on his face.
"Not bad for a newbie. You can actually keep up."
Kaelion scowled, wiping dirt from his face.
"I didn't really have a choice."
Raik laughed — a sharp, easy sound — and plopped down on the cold cave floor, tossing the Teleport Stone from hand to hand.
Kaelion sat up slowly. "Who are you? And why did you save me?"
Raik's grin faded slightly. He leaned back against the stone wall, looking up at the cracked ceiling.
"I used to be like you. Ordinary. Then I found a stone."
"It changes everything, Kaelion. Powers, curses, destiny... The Soul King wants them all. He won't stop until he controls every stone and every soul."
Kaelion stared at him. "Why? What's the point?"
Raik shrugged, eyes hard.
"Because the more stones he has... the closer he gets to reviving himself."
Kaelion frowned. "Reviving...? He's already alive."
Raik shook his head.
"Not fully. Not truly. The Soul King is half a man, half a ghost. The Soul Stone keeps him anchored... but he wants true life again. For that, he needs more stones. More souls."
Kaelion's chest tightened.
Was that why the Earth Stone called to him?
Was he just a pawn in someone else's game?
Raik leaned forward, serious now.
"Listen. You're different. The Earth Stone chose you. That's not random."
"And if you learn how to use it... really use it... you might be the first person who can break the Soul King's chains."
Kaelion swallowed hard.
"Break his chains?"
Raik nodded.
"Free the souls he's trapped. End his reign. Maybe even destroy the Soul Stone itself."
Kaelion looked down at his hands, feeling the Earth Stone's silent power thrum deep inside.
Could he really do that?
Before he could answer, a chilling howl echoed through the trees.
Raik stood instantly, eyes sharp.
"They're searching. We need to move."
Kaelion rose too, heart pounding.
He wasn't ready. He barely knew what he was doing.
But he wasn't alone anymore.
And for the first time since his hometown was destroyed, Kaelion felt a spark of something he thought he'd lost.
Hope.