Kael’s breath came rough. Sweat slid down his temple. The air felt heavy, like the ruins themselves were holding their breath.
"That can’t be all of them," Lyra said softly.
"It isn’t," Kael muttered.
And then he heard it—slow clapping.
Everyone froze.
From the far end of the street, shadows parted like curtains, and the Penitent stepped through. It was bigger now. Taller. Its form flickered between bodies—men, women, beasts—all overlapping, all screaming silently.
"s**t," Elias whispered. "It’s learning."
The Penitent tilted its many heads. When it spoke, it was like a choir of the dead. "You… burn… so brightly…"
Kael lifted Eclipse. "You talk now?"
It laughed—or maybe cried. "We… remember…"
Crimora took a step back, whispering, "Don’t answer it."
Kael ignored her. "Then rememb
