The shadows kept coming. They moved slow across the walls at first, like ink spilling out and twisting in ways that did not make sense. Something under them was pushing, trying to get out maybe.
Kael just sat there. He could not move a muscle. His whole body locked up, eyes stuck on that corner where the dark got thicker, way too thick for just a shadow.
This is not real, he said under his breath.
But it was.
No way.
They came for you.
The shadows started pulsing then. And right after, they pulled up from the floor.
Not just one or two. Three of them.
These figures came out of the dark, all shaky and flickering like bad images in a mirror. Their arms stretched long, bending wrong. The bodies looked half done, not finished at all.
But being there, that hit hard. The air turned cold fast. Kael could see his breath fogging up.
What do they want, he whispered.
You.
His heart pounded like crazy.
Why me.
Because of this thing inside?
The creatures shifted forward. Not walking normal, more like glitching in place.
Kael tripped back off the bed almost.
Stay away, he said.
They kept coming though. Of course. These things did not think or anything. They just hunted.
One jumped at him quick. Kael dodged by rolling aside, and it hit the wall. Went right through.
Like the wall was not solid.
What the hell.
The wall cracked somehow. Not like regular damage. The whole room rippled, reality bending where it touched.
They live in between places or dimensions or something.
That does not explain anything, Kael responded
Another one came faster. Popped up right in his face.
Kael stopped breathing almost. Its face was just empty, a hole staring back. Watching him close, like it knew him.
Get away, he yelled. I do not care what you recognize.
It reached out with that messed up hand. Touched him.
Pain hit everywhere. Not like a cut or bruise. Deeper, pulling at him from inside.
He screamed. Get off.
The room blurred out.
You are fighting it, do you need my help
I do not want any of this.
Then just die.
Those words stung worse. And then something broke in him.
Dark stuff rushed out from Kael. The whole place shook.
The shadows pulled back sharp.
His eyes burned red, glowing.
Get away from me now.
His voice came out different, echoing with extra layers. Not only his.
The one in front stopped. Everything froze for a bit.
Then it bent down, like bowing.
The other two did the same. All kneeling there.
Kael breathed slower. Why are they doing that.
They sense what you have.
I do not get it.
The door flew open then.
Kael.
Rhea ran in, fire sparking in her palms already.
Lucien right after, looking around fast.
They both stopped dead.
What is going on, Rhea said quiet.
Three shadow things. Kneeling. To Kael.
That looks wrong, Lucien said low.
Kael looked at them. His eyes still off, not right.
Kael, Rhea said careful.
Do not come near, he told her.
His voice sounded too even. Too cold maybe.
They are scared of you also.
Stop talking in my head, Kael muttered.
Lucien moved up anyway.
What are those creatures.
I have no idea.
You know more than that.
I said I do not know.
The creatures turned quick to Lucien. Shapes changing, getting mean.
We probably set them off, Lucien said steady.
Yeah, obvious, Rhea shot back.
One lunged at him.
Rhea threw fire out wide. But it ate the flames up.
Not this again, she yelled.
Lucien pushed his hand out. Air twisted, smashed the thing down.
It stuck for a moment. Then reformed.
That is not good, he said.
Kael, help us, Rhea called.
I cannot figure it out.
You can though.
No.
Another one went for Rhea. Super fast.
She almost missed it. But it froze in the air.
Everyone looked.
Kael had his hand up. It shook a little.
I did not mean to.
The thing shook hard. Then flew back, hit the wall bad.
You made it move, Lucien said soft.
No way, Kael thought.
Yes you did.
The last one came strong. Aimed right at Kael.
Move, Rhea yelled.
But he stayed. Felt different this time. Not scared exactly. Like he knew it somehow.
It got to him. Put a hand on his chest instead of hitting.
Quiet hit everything. The world went fuzzy.
Kael saw this huge gate then. Seven locks on it. Chains all over.
Behind, something big moved around. Waiting there.
An old voice came. Not like before.
Key.
His eyes opened fast. The creatures vanished. All gone.
Room back to normal. Too normal almost.
Rhea and Lucien just stood there.
What happened, Rhea asked quiet.
Kael stayed silent. His mind hung on that word.
Key.
Lucien got closer.
Kael, what did you see.
He looked up slow.
A gate.
Quiet stretched.
What gate, Lucien said.
One that should not be real.
The room went dead still.
Inside him, something moved again. Stronger.
You are getting near it.
Near what.
The opening of the first gate
Opening of the first gate of what
Nothing came back. Just quiet.
But somewhere in the dark, something huge shifted.
One chain broke loose.