Before the Storm

The fire had burned low again.

This time, no one reached to stoke it.

They sat in a quiet circle, the air heavy with the weight of Braydon's story. The shadows around them felt closer now, like the world had leaned in to listen.

And now it was waiting.

Shoto stood first, brushing soot from his jacket. His eyes scanned the group — all of them exhausted, scarred, and still… standing.

"We've survived everything they've thrown at us," he said, voice calm but commanding. "But that doesn't mean we're safe. It means they're not done."

Elizabeth nodded slowly. "That creature… the one from the sky. It's still out there."

Brandon added, "And if there are more seals, more of those Hollowed Rings… we're running out of time."

Riven stepped forward. His presence still set the group on edge, but no one dared interrupt.

"There are three more," he said. "Scattered across Valoria. If even one opens, the others will wake in kind."

KJ swore under his breath. "So what, we're on a scavenger hunt from hell?"

"No," Riven said simply. "You're on a countdown."

Pate stood and cracked his knuckles, light sparking at his fingertips. "Then we stop waiting."

Braydon smirked. "Finally."

Gage nodded. "Let's give this world a reason to remember us."

Shoto turned toward the journal, flipping to the last page. It was blank — for now.

But he didn't need it to write what came next.

"We move at dawn. To the ruins near Deadlight Canyon. That's where the next Ring is."

"And this time…" he glanced around the circle, firelight glowing in his eyes, "we end it before it begins."

Above them, storm clouds began to roll in — silent and slow.

The air shifted.

The church creaked.

And just beyond the trees, something massive… blinked.