"We already know."Nara's voice was calm but firm. She sat behind me, her hand resting gently on my back.
I looked over my shoulder, confused, wiping the tears from my cheeks."How… how did you know?"
She stood slowly, her eyes glowing with intensity, the kind that didn't scream—but burned quietly.
"We suspected the Shadow Realm," she said. "We searched every place the seven swords were sealed. All but one... Chrysantha's. After your vision—your connection—there's no doubt anymore. She's there."
I watched her in awe.She was calm. Focused. Even now.Chrysantha was like a sister to her, and yet—she wasn't breaking down. She wasn't yelling or crying.She was still.How does someone build that kind of patience? That strength?It must've taken centuries. Maybe more.
I opened my mouth to ask, Why is she in the Shadow Realm—?
But the ground shook violently.
Cracks spread beneath my feet like lightning across the earth.The pedestal split. The walls groaned.The whole place trembled like it would collapse at any second.
"NARAAA!! WATCH OUT!" I shouted.
A massive stone came crashing down toward her—but she dodged with perfect timing, stepping aside as it shattered behind her.
"My lord! We have to move—NOW!" she yelled."This place is collapsing! The library was meant to exist only until you found the truth. Now it's crumbling!"
The priest grabbed my left hand, noticing another chunk of stone falling overhead.
We ran—through tunnels and winding paths—but every route ended in dust and ruin.
There was no exit. No door. No path.
"STOP!" I yelled, breathing hard."Running isn't helping—we need to think!"
They halted beside me, but the priest shook his head.
"If we stop here, we'll be crushed like tomatoes!"
Then his eyes widened.
"Wait—your wrist! It's glowing!"He grabbed my arm. "The mark—it's reacting!"
Pain exploded down my spine.
A white-hot burning like my bones were breaking—reshaping.Like my spine would tear right out of my body.I staggered, barely able to stand.
"My Lord! What's happening?"Nara rushed to me, guiding me to a nearby boulder."Breathe. Just breathe. Stay with me."
I couldn't speak. Could barely see.My thighs were cramping, twitching.Muscles aching like they were being reborn.My hand burned—and then twisted, my nails stretching, hardening—becoming claws.
"I'll shield the area—protect him!" the priest shouted.He and Nara raised their hands, forming a barrier of golden light.
But inside the shield… something else was happening to me.
I fell to my knees with a wail, clutching my stomach.My skin stretched, burned—my body swelling, growing. My arms, my legs—everything was shifting.
And then—A piercing pain tore through my back.
I screamed, my voice echoing like a beast in a cave.
I reached behind me, trembling, and touched—
Feathers.
Something—wings—were unfurling from my back.
"Why… why the f**king hell is there a wing on my back?"I gasped.
And then everything went black.