Tari's blood turned to ice as glowing eyes flickered in the dark dozens of them.
The Order's failed experiments.
The true Hollows.
And they'd just found their queen.
The Hollows emerged from the dark like a tide of living shadow eyes glinting, claws scraping stone. They didn't attack. Not yet.
They were waiting.
For her.
For Liora.
Kael's hands shook as he held his sister tighter. Her body was a battle ground human skin warring with creeping black veins, her breaths coming in ragged gasps.
You have to run, she begged him. They're here for me.If they take me, they'll become something worse something even the forest can't stop.
Tari stepped forward, roots coiling around her wrists, ready to fight. We're not leaving you.
But Kael wasn't listening. His gaze was fixed on Liora's Hollow eye the eye that had once been his before the Order carved it out as punishment for his defiance.
A memory flashed across his face. A decision.
No, he whispered. But you are.
Before Tari could react, Kael slammed his dagger into the ground.
Not to attack.
To bleed.
His palm split open on the blade, crimson splashing onto the roots below. The forest shuddered.
Liora screamed. KAEL, DON'T!!!
But it was too late.
The earth split. A geyser of thorns erupted, wrapping around Kael's bleeding hand then his arm then his chest pulling him down like the roots were claiming him.
The forest takes life for life, he gritted out, sweat beading on his brow. A soul for a soul. That's how the Order's first ritual worked. That's how I'll end it.
Tari lunged for him, but the vines held her back. Kael, STOP! There's another way
There isn't. His eyes locked onto hers, fierce and final. The Heartwood isn't just hidden. It's dead. The only thing that can bring it back… is blood. My blood.
Liora sobbed as the roots dragged him under. You knew?! You knew and you still
I came back for you, Kael said softly. Now let me save you.
Then—
The earth closed over him.
For one terrible heartbeat, silence.
Then—
A pulse.
The cavern trembled as a light erupted from below golden, warm, alive. The roots convulsed, their sickly green glow burning away as the radiance spread.
Where it touched Liora, the corruption sizzled.
The Hollows screeched, recoiling.
And deep beneath them, something stirred.
Something the forest had buried long ago.
Something waking up.
---
**To Be Continued.**