Chapter 8: The Ones Who Know
1095 Words
The wind didn’t die down after they left the pub.
If anything—
It followed them.
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Ravenswood felt… tighter.
Like the town itself was closing in.
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Elian walked in silence, hands clenched at his sides.
Liora’s words echoed in his head.
*The Architect designed everything.*
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“No one designs me,” he muttered under his breath.
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Akira heard him.
But didn’t respond.
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Nyx walked slightly ahead, her focus distant—like she was listening to something no one else could hear.
Marcus stayed close to Gus, supporting him as they moved through the back roads.
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“Safehouse?” Marcus asked quietly.
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Akira shook her head.
“Not yet.”
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Elian frowned. “Why?”
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Akira didn’t slow.
“Because if Liora found us that easily…”
A beat.
“Then someone’s feeding information.”
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Silence.
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Elian didn’t like that.
“From where?”
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Nyx answered this time.
“Everywhere.”
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They moved off the road and into the forest.
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The moment they crossed the tree line—
Elian felt it.
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That same ripple.
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Subtle.
Sharp.
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Wrong.
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He stopped.
“Wait.”
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Akira turned instantly. “What?”
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Elian scanned the trees.
“It’s back.”
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Nyx’s eyes narrowed.
“I feel it too.”
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Marcus gently lowered Gus against a tree.
“Then we’re not alone.”
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A sound broke the silence.
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A scream.
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Sharp.
Panicked.
Close.
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Elian didn’t think.
He ran.
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“ELIAN—!” Akira’s voice cut after him.
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Too late.
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Branches snapped under his feet as he pushed through the trees, faster than before—stronger, sharper.
Everything in him locked onto one thing:
Danger.
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Another scream.
Closer.
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Elian burst into a clearing—
And froze.
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A girl was on the ground, scrambling backward, eyes wide with terror.
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And something was attacking her.
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It wasn’t human.
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Its body twisted unnaturally—long limbs, jerking movements, its eyes glowing faintly in the shadows.
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A Goul.
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It lunged.
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Elian moved.
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Fast.
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He intercepted it mid-air—slamming it into a tree with enough force to c***k bark.
The creature hissed, twisting violently as it recovered, snapping toward him.
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“Elian!”
Nyx’s voice echoed behind him—but he was already in motion.
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The Goul lunged again—
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Elian ducked, driving his fist into its ribs.
Bone cracked.
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Not enough.
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The creature slashed—
Claws tearing across his arm.
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Pain flared.
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Elian didn’t stop.
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Light flickered beneath his skin.
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“No—control it!” Akira shouted as she entered the clearing.
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Elian gritted his teeth.
Not yet.
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The Goul came again—
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This time—
Elian stepped forward instead of back.
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He caught it.
Twisted—
Then slammed it into the ground.
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Hard.
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The forest shook.
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The creature writhed—
Trying to rise—
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Elian’s hand lifted—
Light gathered—
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Focused.
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Controlled.
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Then—
Release.
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A sharp burst of radiant energy tore through the creature—
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It convulsed—
Then disintegrated into ash.
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Silence.
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Elian stood still, breathing hard.
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Then he turned.
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The girl stared at him.
Alive.
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“You okay?” he asked.
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She nodded quickly, still shaken.
“I—I think so…”
Her eyes dropped to the ashes.
“What… was that?”
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Elian hesitated.
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Before he could answer—
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“Lena!”
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A voice cut through the clearing.
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A young man rushed in, dropping beside her instantly.
Protective.
Alert.
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His eyes snapped to Elian.
Sharp.
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“Who are you?” he demanded.
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Elian straightened slightly.
“Elian.”
A beat.
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The guy didn’t relax.
“If that was saving her, you cut it close.”
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Akira stepped forward, her presence shifting the air.
“Careful,” she said calmly. “You’re talking to the reason your sister is still breathing.”
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The word landed.
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Sister.
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The girl grabbed his arm.
“Julian, stop. He helped me.”
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Julian’s gaze lingered on Elian.
Studying.
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Then—
He saw it.
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The faint glow fading from Elian’s eyes.
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Something clicked.
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“…You’re a Dawnblood.”
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Silence.
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Akira smirked slightly.
“Observant.”
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Nyx stepped closer.
“And you’re not just random civilians either. You knew how to run.”
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Julian stood slowly.
“We’ve seen enough to know when something isn’t normal.”
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Lena swallowed.
“More than enough.”
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Elian frowned.
“Like what?”
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Julian and Lena exchanged a look.
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Then Julian spoke.
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“Something’s moving in this town,” he said.
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A pause.
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“Something organized.”
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Nyx’s expression sharpened.
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Lena added quietly—
“Structured.”
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Julian’s eyes locked onto Elian.
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“And it has a name.”
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A beat.
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“The Architect.”
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The word hit harder this time.
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Elian felt it.
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Because now—
It wasn’t just a warning.
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It was real.
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Akira stepped forward slightly, her voice steady.
“If you know that name…”
She looked between them.
“…then you’re already involved.”
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Julian didn’t hesitate this time.
“Then we want answers.”
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Lena nodded.
“And we’re not walking away from this.”
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Akira studied them both.
Long.
Careful.
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Then—
“Fine,” she said.
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She turned.
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“You come with us.”
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Julian hesitated.
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Just for a moment.
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Lena stepped closer to him, lowering her voice.
“They’re the good guys.”
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Julian looked at her.
Then at Elian.
Then at the ashes behind him.
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A slow exhale.
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“…Alright.”
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He looked at Akira.
“We go with you.”
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Elian muttered under his breath—
“Yeah… this just keeps getting better.”
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Nyx smirked faintly.
“Or more complicated.”
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Akira didn’t look back as she started walking.
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“Move.”
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And just like that—
The group grew.
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But so did the threat.
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Because somewhere—
Hidden in the dark—
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The Architect was already adjusting the design.
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End of Chapter 8
- Writer
