No Rest for the Marked

The ruins went on forever.

But Lira moved through them like she knew every broken path. Vael followed, the stone beneath his feet cracked and dry. The wind squeeled in the distance, but here, the silence felt heavier.

His hand stayed on the sword.

The Wraithbound were gone—but the feeling they left behind wasn't.

The crown pulsed faintly against his skull. Not painful… but present. Like it was waiting.

They stopped near a half-collapsed tower. Its base still stood—barely.

Lira nodded. "We'll rest here."

Vael stepped inside. The space was small—just enough for a fire and some room to breathe. Lira dropped her pack and leaned back against the wall, watching him.

"You're not going to sleep, are you?"

Vael didn't answer.

Truth was—he didn't know if he could.

Lira let out a breath. "Then talk. What the hell happened back there?"

He stayed quiet.

How was he supposed to explain what the crown had done?How it fed.How it showed him pieces of their past—like memories burned into smoke.

He looked away.

Lira's voice dropped, a little colder now. "That relic… it's not normal. I've seen Echo Relics before. And power like that—there's always a cost."

Vael glanced at her. "You've seen someone like me?"

She hesitated. Then nodded, slowly. "A long time ago."

She didn't say more.

He didn't ask.

The fire cracked in the middle of the room, warm but quiet. The shadows it cast danced along the walls.

The silence stretched too long. It didn't feel peaceful.

It felt like waiting for something to go wrong.

Then Lira spoke again. "I don't trust you."

Vael blinked. "I never asked you to."

She stared at him. "Good. Because if that thing ever takes control—if you lose yourself—I won't hesitate. I'll kill you."

Vael almost smiled.

Not quite.

"Then you better be quick."

Lira gave a smirk. But there was no warmth in it.

"Always am."

The fire burned lower.

Night crept in.

And still—Vael didn't sleep.