The first consequence arrived before nightfall.
Liora felt it as a pressure at the base of her spine—a warning more instinct than thought. The air thickened, humming faintly, as though reality itself had become aware of her and was deciding what to do next.
Kaelen stiffened beside her on the watchtower.
"They've marked your frequency," he said quietly.
"My… what?" Liora asked, already dreading the answer.
"Your presence," he clarified. "Your existence now resonates across layers. When you resisted them, you didn't just deny access—you announced yourself."
She let out a shaky breath. "So now they know exactly where I am."
"Yes."
"Fantastic," she muttered.
Kaelen's gaze swept the horizon. "We can't stay here."
They descended the tower as clouds gathered unnaturally fast, the sky darkening into a bruised violet despite the early hour. The river below churned, currents twisting against their natural direction.
As they crossed the narrow footbridge, Liora faltered.
Her vision doubled. The mark flared violently, sending a sharp pulse of pain through her chest.
Kaelen caught her instantly.
"Breathe," he said. "Don't fight it."
"I'm not fighting," she gasped. "It's pulling."
"Toward what?"
She swallowed. "People."
The word barely left her mouth before screams cut through the air.
Down by the riverbank, a crowd had gathered—drawn by something they didn't understand. Faces pale. Eyes unfocused. Their movements were jerky, unnatural.
"They're being called," Kaelen said grimly. "The Hollowborn can't reach you yet… so they're using vessels."
Liora's heart pounded. "We have to stop this."
Kaelen's grip tightened. "If you intervene now, you'll burn yourself out."
"I don't care."
"I do."
She looked up at him sharply. "Then help me."
For a long moment, he hesitated.
Then he nodded. "Very well. But you listen to me—no heroics."
She gave a humorless laugh. "I don't even know how to be a hero."
"Good," he said. "Neither did the last you."
They approached the riverbank cautiously.
The people stood in a loose circle, murmuring words that twisted the air with each syllable. Symbols flickered briefly across their skin—distorted versions of Liora's mark.
Her stomach churned.
"They're copying me," she whispered.
"They're echoing you," Kaelen replied. "Badly."
One of the figures turned abruptly, eyes rolling back to reveal nothing but shadow.
"Bearer," the voice croaked. "You bleed the wrong light."
Liora stepped forward despite Kaelen's warning hand on her arm.
"You don't get to speak through them," she said firmly. "Leave."
The shadows laughed.
"You were ours before flesh taught you fear."
Her mark ignited, golden light spilling outward—not violently, but insistently, like truth refusing to stay hidden.
The possessed figures screamed as the shadows were torn free, unraveling into smoke that dissolved into the air.
The people collapsed, unconscious but breathing.
Liora dropped to her knees, dizzy.
Kaelen knelt beside her, supporting her weight. "That was reckless."
"But it worked," she whispered.
"Yes," he said softly. "And now the debt is paid."
Her head snapped up. "What debt?"
Kaelen's expression darkened. "Every intervention creates balance. And balance always demands exchange."
The ground trembled.
From the river rose a shape—tall, skeletal, stitched together from darkness and water. Its hollow eyes fixed on Liora with unmistakable hunger.
"The Collector," Kaelen breathed. "They sent a herald."
The creature's voice rippled through the air like water over bone.
Heart of the Spiral… your defiance is noted.
Liora struggled to her feet, fear and resolve warring inside her.
"I'm not yours," she said.
No, it replied calmly. But you are payable.
It reached out—
Kaelen stepped between them, symbols along his arms blazing white-hot.
"No," he growled. "You don't take her."
The Collector tilted its head.
Then I take you.
The mark surged violently, reacting before Liora could think. Light erupted from her chest, slamming into the space between Kaelen and the creature, forcing them apart.
The Collector recoiled, shrieking as the light burned through its form.
Too soon, it hissed. But not too late.
With a sound like rushing water, it dissolved back into the river.
Silence followed.
Kaelen collapsed to one knee, breathing hard.
Liora rushed to him. "You said no heroics."
He smiled faintly. "You're learning fast."
Her hands shook. "What did it mean—payable?"
Kaelen looked at her, eyes heavy with truth.
"It means the Hollowborn don't just want you," he said. "They believe the Spiral owes them."
Her chest tightened. "Owes them what?"
Kaelen met her gaze.
"The end."
Far beneath the river, something ancient smiled.
The Heart had awakened.
And the world had begun to count the cost.