Hinatas hand still throbbed with the mark ValKyros had burned into it. Faintly glowing lines trailed
down from his palm like a tattoo done by an eldritch graffiti artist. He stared at it, flexing his fingers
as if expecting sparks or lasers or... something.
Instead, it just pulsed. Slowly. Like a heartbeat that didnt quite belong to him.
Alis tossed him a hunk of dried meat. "Eat. Were training today."
He sniffed it. "This isn't demon jerky, is it?"
"Its food. Mostly. Stop complaining."
Hinata bit down. Chewed. Instantly regretted it. "This tastes like evil."
"Everything here tastes like evil. Get used to it."
They moved to a clearing near the caveif you could call a patch of cracked obsidian ground and
screaming tree-roots a "clearing."
Alis stood across from him, twin blades resting on her hips, one eye narrowed against the dim
Netherlight. "Show me what that mark can do."Hinata blinked. "I dont know what it can do."
"Then figure it out. Fast."
She lunged.
He yelped, barely dodging a slash aimed at his ribs. "Youre seriously trying to kill me?!"
"Only a little."
Steel clashed against the edge of his dagger. He grunted, blocking clumsily. The force of the blow
numbed his arm.
"Focus!" she barked. "Draw on the mark. Reach inside!"
"Im reachingIm reaching!"
Pain exploded in his chestmemories, fear, the weight of a world that rejected him. And then...
It answered.
A thin veil of shadow burst from his palm, catching her next strike mid-air. The air hissed. Sparks
flew.Alis skidded back, eyes wide. "Now thats more like it."
Hinata stared at his hand. I didnt mean to do that.
Doesnt matter. Do it again.
They trained until his legs shook and his vision blurred.
When he collapsed, gasping, Alis tossed him a waterskin. Youre learning. That mark... its not magic.
Its will. Tainted, chaotic will. Dangerous, but potent.
"Great," he panted. "I'm basically a cursed USB stick."
She smirked. "One that might just survive this place."
That night, the dreams returned.
Dark skies. A throne of black stone. And ValKyros, watching him with eyes like dying stars.
"You took the first step," the god whispered. "But this is only the beginning."
Hinata tried to speak, but his mouth wouldnt move.
"Youve opened the echo," ValKyros continued. "Now lets see if you can survive the scream."Hinata awoke screaming.
Alis didnt even flinch. Sleep well?
I think I just got emotionally waterboarded by a forbidden god.
Perfect. Youre ready for tomorrow.
Why? Whats tomorrow?
Alis smiled.
The part where you stop being prey... and start becoming a problem.