They ran.
Not blindly.
Not panicked.
But fast enough that the ground blurred beneath their feet and the wind cut sharp against their skin. The field no longer felt endless it felt like it was closing in, like every step forward was being measured, calculated, anticipated.
Behind them, the fragments surged.
Dozens now.
Not scattered anymore.
Organized.
The sound wasn't footsteps it was distortion, like reality itself was being dragged forward in jagged waves.
Victor glanced back once and immediately regretted it. "Yeah no that's not normal chasing behavior. That's coordinated."
"Don't slow down," Dante said.
"I wasn't planning to!"
The girl kept pace beside Dante, her breathing controlled but tight. "They're not just following us."
"I know," Dante replied.
"They're driving us."
Her eyes flicked ahead to the tower.
It was closer now.
Too close.
And bigger than it had any right to be.
