I felt it before I saw it.
A presence. Ancient. Powerful. Furious.
"Aria, get down!"
Kairos tackled me to the ground just as a massive blade swept through the air where I'd been standing. I rolled, coming up with fire already blazing in my palms.
"What the hell is that?"
The thing that emerged from the crumbling ruins was massive. Made of stone and shadow and something that seemed to drink the light around it. Its eyes burned with an ancient fire, the same golden glow that lived in my chest.
"You," it rumbled. "I have been waiting for you."
"Who are you?" I demanded.
"I am the guardian. The keeper of the knowledge you seek." Its voice was like grinding rocks. "But you will not have it. Not without a test."
"A test of what?"
The guardian's eyes flicked to Kairos. "Of worth. Of sac
