The crash of stone echoed again, closer this time. Dust rained from the temple walls.
Kairo's heart pounded. "What is that?"
The girl—Selene, though she hadn't given her name yet—backed away from the doorway, her violet eyes glowing faintly.
"Not human. Not tonight."
Before Kairo could demand more, the wall of the temple burst inward.
A massive hand of stone and flesh clawed through, scattering rubble across the floor. The creature that followed was enormous, its body carved from rock, veins glowing faintly like molten cracks. Its face was twisted—half human, half something ancient, its eyes burning with pale fire.
A Flood Shade.
Selene hissed, pulling a shard of broken pillar from the ground as if it were a blade. "Move, boy!"
Kairo stumbled back, clutching his burning arm. The sigil pulsed brighter and brighter, reacting to the monster's presence.
The Shade lumbered forward, each step shaking the earth. Its voice was like water rushing through a cavern:
"The child… the blood… the son of the chained…"
Its gaze locked onto Kairo.
Selene slashed with her stone blade, sparks flying as it struck the Shade's chest. The monster barely flinched, swinging its massive arm. The strike smashed through another wall, missing Selene by inches.
"Kairo!" she shouted. "Use it!"
"Use what?" he shouted back, terrified.
"The mark! Call it!"
"I don't even know what it is!"
The Shade lunged. Instinct took over. Kairo threw up his arm.
The sigil ignited—white fire searing across his skin. A shockwave of light exploded outward, slamming into the Shade with enough force to send it crashing back through the temple ruins. The ground trembled. The sea itself seemed to recoil.
Silence.
Kairo staggered, clutching his arm. His veins glowed faintly, as though liquid light pulsed through them. His breath came ragged, his body weak.
Selene stared at him, her expression unreadable. Slowly, she lowered her makeshift blade.
"…So it's true," she whispered. "You really are his son."
Kairo looked at her, still trembling. "Whose son?"
Before she could answer, the ground cracked again. From the ruins below, more whispers rose—dozens, maybe hundreds, carried on the rushing wind.
The Shades were not alone.
⚡ End of Chapter 4.