Chapter 26 — An Offer That Isn't Safe
The chamber finally broke.
Not collapsed—gave up.
The floor dipped under Kael's boots, stone softening like it had forgotten how to stay solid. Lira cried out as the wall behind her bent inward, pushing her forward.
The darkness moved farther in.
The thing stepped through the tear at last.
Not fully solid. Not fully shadow. Its shape kept adjusting, like it was trying on the idea of a body and finding none of them quite right. The many eyes closed until only two remained—focused, sharp, almost human.
Almost.
"Containment," it repeated, amused. "They always suggest that."
Kael planted his feet. The second heartbeat inside him thudded hard, steady now. Not panicked.
Listening.
"You didn't answer before," Kael said. "Why are you here?"
The thing tilted its head. "Because they made a mistake."
The pressure eased slightly. Enough to breathe.
"They let you align," it continued. "Not fully. Not cleanly. But enough to make you visible to me."
Lira whispered, "That doesn't sound good."
"It isn't," the thing agreed pleasantly.
It took another step forward. The floor didn't crack. It simply wasn't there anymore beneath its foot.
"Here's the truth," it said. "The system will try to use you. Shape you. File you down until you fit somewhere harmless."
Kael's jaw tightened. "And you?"
"I don't shape," it said. "I free."
The word carried weight. Not warmth. Not comfort.
Risk.
"You're offering me something," Kael said.
"Yes."
The darkness rippled behind the thing, forming a suggestion of depth—layers within layers, paths that didn't belong to the same world.
"Step away from their rules," it said softly. "From their trials and permissions. Walk with me instead."
Lira grabbed Kael's arm again, harder this time. "Kael, don't. It's lying—or worse, telling the truth."
The thing smiled. "She's smart."
System text flared suddenly, bright and angry.
DIRECT INTERFERENCE DETECTED
ANOMALY RETENTION PRIORITY: MAXIMUM
The chamber shook violently. Cracks raced across every surface.
The thing sighed. "They're panicking."
Kael felt the pull in two directions now.
One clean, structured, familiar in its cruelty.
The other vast, unclear, and honest about the danger.
"Decide," the thing said. "Because once they act, choice disappears."
The floor split beneath Kael's feet.
Lira screamed his name.
And the system made its move.