The campfire’s light flickered on the newcomer’s face as Kael and Elena stepped closer. The marked individual—a woman—stood still, her posture both confident and wary. Her mark glowed faintly on her forearm, a soft silver that mirrored the moonlight.
“My name is Sylara,” she said, her voice calm yet commanding. “I felt your presence days ago, and I’ve been tracking you ever since.”
Kael lowered his sword slightly, though his grip remained firm. “You’ve been tracking us? Why?”
Sylara’s gaze shifted between him and Elena. “Because I’ve been waiting for others like me. The Abyss’s whispers have grown louder, and I knew the time would come when the marked would begin to unite.”
Elena’s golden mark pulsed faintly in response, and she stepped forward. “You know about the Abyss? About what’s
