The stranger stepped into the chamber.
Each footstep echoed like a hammer strike.
Rainwater dripped from his long coat. Half of his face was covered in burn scars, but his eyes were sharp—cold enough to freeze the air itself.
In his hand swung an old silver watch.
Arin recognized it instantly.
His father's watch.
Mira whispered, "Who is he…?"
The man ignored her. His gaze stayed fixed on Arin.
"I warned him this day would come."
The creature wearing Arin's face laughed from near the black door.
"You're late again, Kael."
The stranger's jaw tightened.
"So are you."
Arin staggered forward. "You knew my father?"
Kael looked at him for a long moment.
"I helped bury him."
Silence hit the chamber.
Mira stared. "What?"
Arin's fists clenched. "You killed my father?"
Kael answered without emotion.
"No."
He pointed at the creature.
"You did."
The chamber lights burst.
Arin's mind reeled.
Memories flashed—
Fire.
Screaming.
His father pushing him away.
A hand around his father's throat.
His own hand.
"No…" Arin stepped back. "That's not real."
Kael threw the silver watch to him.
Arin caught it.
The glass was cracked. Inside the back cover were words carved by hand:
Forgive me, son.
Arin's breathing stopped.
The creature smiled wider.
"He finally knows."
Mira moved beside Arin. "Don't listen to it."
Kael pulled a long black blade from beneath his coat. Strange symbols glowed across the metal.
"There's no more time."
The ground shook violently.
The black door behind the creature opened wider.
Something huge moved in the darkness beyond it.
Bones cracking.
Breathing growing louder.
Kael raised the blade.
"Arin, listen carefully. Your father split the beast into two souls."
He pointed first at the creature.
"Wrath."
Then at Arin.
"Humanity."
Arin's voice trembled. "Why?"
"Because killing it was impossible."
The creature snarled.
Kael continued.
"But now the halves are merging."
Mira whispered, "What happens if they become one?"
Kael's face hardened.
"The city dies before sunrise."
Suddenly the creature lunged.
Too fast to see.
Kael blocked with his blade, sparks exploding across the chamber. Mira was thrown backward by the shockwave.
Arin dropped to one knee as pain tore through his chest. Red light burst from the veins in his arms.
The voices returned.
Take him.
Kill Kael.
Become complete.
Kael shouted while fighting, "Arin! Choose now!"
The creature slammed him through a pillar.
Stone shattered.
Kael coughed blood but still stood.
He threw Arin a small iron key—the same symbol carved on it as the black door.
"The final lock!"
Arin caught it.
"What do I do?"
Kael roared as the creature charged again.
"Either seal the door…"
He was struck hard across the chamber.
"…or kill yourself."
Everything went silent.
Mira turned slowly toward Arin, horror in her eyes.
The creature stood smiling.
And the black door behind it began to open all the way.
To Be Continued…