The Grandmaster's Reincarnation

The wind howled through the ruins.

Kael's heart was still pounding from what just happened. The creatures, the chains, the voice calling him the harbinger. The weight of those words refused to leave his mind.

The others were staring at him.

Verrian's grip on his sword was tense. "You gonna explain that?"

Kael exhaled. "If I knew, I'd tell you."

Kira frowned. "You really don't remember?"

"No." His fingers twitched. "But… something here feels familiar."

Darian sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, that's real comforting."

No one laughed.

Seraphina had been quiet for a while, her gaze locked on the massive chain piercing the earth. The thing looked ancient, rusted but still impossibly strong.

And now, they were heading right for it.

Kael felt his throat tighten.

Whatever was at the end of that chain—he had a feeling they shouldn't be waking it up.

A Path Through the Forgotten

They moved through the ruins carefully. The ash-covered ground was uneven, hiding broken structures beneath. Some looked like they used to be buildings—others, something older.

"This place," Kira muttered. "It wasn't just a prison, was it?"

Kael glanced around. "No… it was a city."

The words left his mouth before he even thought about them.

Verrian shot him a look. "And how do you know that?"

Kael hesitated.

The knowledge was just there. Not in words, not in memories—but in feeling.

Like an instinct buried deep.

"…I don't know."

Darian huffed. "Well, that's reassuring."

Kael ignored him, his focus drifting to the buildings. Some were completely collapsed, others barely standing. But one thing was clear—this place was abandoned a long time ago.

And then—a whisper.

Not the ancient voice from before. This was softer.

And it was everywhere.

Kael's blood ran cold. He turned to the others. "Did you hear that?"

Kira swallowed. "Yeah."

Verrian's eyes darkened. "We're being watched."

Then—the whispers grew louder.

The Watchers

Shadows flickered in the ruins. Not the creatures from before. Something else.

Kael caught movement to his left—then right. They were fast. Too fast to track.

Darian pulled a dagger from his belt. "Great. More creepy things in the dark."

Kira gritted her teeth, magic already gathering around her fingertips.

Verrian stayed calm, his sword steady.

Then—they attacked.

Figures burst from the shadows, cloaked in flowing black mist. Their faces were hidden beneath cracked veils, not masks—just emptiness.

The first one lunged at Kael.

He barely dodged. A blade of blackened metal slashed past him, cutting through the stone behind him like butter.

Verrian met another head-on. Swords clashed. The force sent sparks flying, but the shadow didn't even flinch.

Darian ducked low, throwing a knife at one of them—only for it to pass through the figure's body like smoke.

Kira reacted fast. She slammed her staff into the ground—a shockwave of flame erupted outward.

The shadows… staggered.

Not fully affected, but weakened.

Kael didn't hesitate. He moved.

Shadows curled around his arm again, the power from before responding instantly.

He struck.

His attack landed—and for the first time, the shadow flinched.

Kael gritted his teeth. They were vulnerable to him.

Without thinking, he lunged forward.

His arm pierced through one of the figures. It let out a sound—not a scream, not a cry—just an unnatural, distorted echo.

The figure collapsed into dust.

The others… paused.

For a moment, the whispers stopped.

Then, as if realizing something, the remaining figures vanished.

Gone.

Kira exhaled sharply. "What the hell was that?"

Verrian shook his head. "They weren't trying to kill us."

Darian snorted. "Could've fooled me."

"No." Verrian frowned. "They were testing us."

Kael clenched his fists. Testing him.

Something about this didn't feel right.

The shadows didn't fear them.

They feared what Kael could do.

The Chain of the Forsaken

They reached the base of the chain.

Up close, the thing was even more massive. It stretched high into the void, its links carved with symbols that shifted when Kael tried to focus on them.

And at the base—a door.

Or at least, what was left of one.

It had been shattered. Pieces of it still lay in the dust, ancient and broken.

"…Someone's already been here," Kira murmured.

Verrian studied the ruins. "Recently?"

"No." Kael's voice was quiet.

A long time ago.

And suddenly—his head throbbed.

A sharp, piercing pain.

Memories—fragments, flashing through his mind.

A voice. Not the whispers.

His own.

"We cannot let it wake."

"Seal the gate, no matter what it takes!"

"I'll be the one to do it."

Kael staggered, gripping his forehead.

The others rushed toward him.

"Kael?"

He gasped for breath. His mind was spinning.

The whispers returned.

This time, they weren't just words.

They were commands.

"Break the chain."

Kael's breath hitched.

He looked down at his hand. The power in his veins—it could do it.

And for a second, he almost wanted to.

He turned to the others.

"…We shouldn't be here."

Darian blinked. "No kidding."

Kira crossed her arms. "Then what do we do?"

Kael looked at the chain.

At the door—already broken.

Something had already escaped.

And something else… was still locked inside.

Verrian's expression was grim. "We need answers."

Kael exhaled. His pulse was still racing.

Then—he made his choice.

"Let's keep moving."

But deep down, he knew—

Something was waiting for them.

And this time, they wouldn't leave unscathed.