Blood and moonlight
The mark on her back flared, not with pain, but light.
The silver-eyed beings bowed their heads.
The forest bent with wind that hadn’t been there a moment ago.
And far in the distance, Ava felt it—the ancient book, awakening in some forgotten place, calling to her.
She looked at Achi, her heart racing.
“If I find the book… if I cast the spell… I can lock the gods away. Forever. And maybe save us all.”
“But if your heart wavers,” Darius said, solemn, “they’ll break free stronger than ever. And no one—not even you—will survive.”