The temple was still. The air smelled like old stone and something burnt, probably remnants of whatever dark magic that serpent had been feeding on.
Eryx stood at the edge of the ruins, his arms crossed, looking as calm as ever—like we hadn't almost been eaten alive a few minutes ago. Aunika was the opposite, still catching her breath, wiping dust from her daggers.
Me? I was stuck on what just happened.
I had power. Real power.
And that scared me more than the serpent had.
I turned to Eryx. "Okay. Your turn."
He barely glanced at me. "For what?"
"You knew what that thing was." I stepped closer. "You fight like you've done this before. And you're not even a little freaked out. So… who are you?"
Aunika raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I was wondering that too. Mysterious broody guy just happens to show up when all hell breaks loose? Kinda suspicious."
Eryx exhaled through his nose, like we were annoying him. Which, honestly, only made me more curious.
"I was sent to find you," he finally said.
I blinked. "Me?"
Eryx's gaze was sharp. "You don't get it yet, do you?"
"I mean, I just found out I have a god for a dad and fought a monster—so no, I don't get a lot of things right now."
Aunika snorted. "Fair."
Eryx ignored her. "There are forces moving in the shadows. Thoth's disappearance wasn't random. And if you're connected to him, that means—"
A sudden hiss cut him off.
The torches along the walls flickered. A low **rumble** echoed through the chamber, like something ancient had just woken up.
Aunika stiffened. "Uh… please tell me that's not another snake."
It wasn't.
The air around us darkened, like the light itself was being swallowed. A deep, slithering voice filled the space.
"The scribe is gone. The balance is broken."
Goosebumps crawled up my arms.
Eryx's hand went to his sword. "A warning."
Aunika gave him a look. "You think?"
The voice continued, whispering through the stone.
"Aneria, daughter of wisdom. The void is watching. The shadows are coming. You will not escape."
Then, as quickly as it came, the presence vanished.
The torches flared back to life. The room was silent.
No one spoke.
Finally, I swallowed hard. "So… that was creepy."
Aunika shook off the chill. "So what now?"
Eryx looked at me. "Now? We prepare."
I wasn't sure what for.
But I had a feeling I wouldn't like the answer.
Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. I tried to shake off the lingering chill from that voice, but it clung to me like shadows in the corners of my mind.
Aunika was the first to break it. "So, uh… does this happen often? Disembodied voices of doom?"
Eryx's expression was unreadable. "More than you'd think."
I frowned. "That's not comforting."
He ignored that, glancing around the chamber. "We shouldn't stay here. If that thing was able to reach us, it might not be alone."
I wanted to argue—demand more answers about the warning, about Thoth, about whatever the hell I had gotten myself into. But the weight in Eryx's voice made me hesitate. He wasn't just saying it to shut me up.
He was serious.
I tightened my grip on my staff. "Fine. But the second we're out of here, you start talking."
Aunika stretched, wincing slightly. "Agreed. Now, which way is out?"
Eryx didn't answer. He just started walking.
Aunika leaned closer to me and muttered, "Does he ever lighten up?"
I huffed a quiet laugh. "Doubt it."
We followed Eryx through the temple ruins, our footsteps echoing against ancient stone. The deeper we went, the stronger the strange energy became—not as hostile as before, but still… watching.
The warning played in my head again.
The void is watching. The shadows are coming.
I clenched my jaw. I didn't know what that meant, but I knew one thing.
I wasn't running.
Whatever was coming for me—I'd be ready.