Carter moved fast, slipping through the trees with a confidence he didn't have an hour ago. His steps were lighter. His senses sharper. Every sound in the forest felt clearer — the rustle of branches, the distant hum of mana, even the faint distortion of space settling after the battle.
REI floated beside him, her glow steady but dimmer than usual. "Your evolution has stabilized. But your energy output is… unusual."
Carter raised an eyebrow. "Unusual how?"
"You are generating more mana than your core should be capable of. The Divergent Blade path is amplifying your trace."
Carter frowned. "Is that bad?"
"It is… complicated."
"Great. Love complicated."
They continued through the forest until the trees thinned and the land sloped downward. A narrow dirt road cut through the woods, leading toward distant hills.
Carter stopped at the edge of the road. "Where exactly are we going?"
REI projected a small map in front of him — glitchy, but readable.
A red marker pulsed far to the east.
Black Hollow Rift.
Carter squinted. "That's outside Guild territory."
"Correct," REI said. "It is unregulated. Dangerous. And ideal for your next evolution."
Carter crossed his arms. "What's inside it?"
"An anomaly," REI said. "One that predates the Guild's formation. The Rift is unstable, unpredictable, and partially collapsed."
"So… a death trap."
"Yes," REI said. "But a useful one."
Carter sighed. "Of course."
He started walking down the road.
---
They traveled for nearly an hour before Carter noticed something strange — the air felt heavier, thicker, like walking through invisible fog. The sky darkened even though the sun hadn't set.
Carter slowed. "REI… something's off."
She scanned the air. "Yes. A distortion. But not a correction agent."
"Then what?"
Before she could answer, a figure stepped out from behind a tree.
Carter froze.
A man in a long coat, hood pulled low, boots muddy from travel. His posture was relaxed, but his presence felt wrong — too still, too quiet.
REI's glow sharpened. "Carter. Be careful."
The man lifted his head.
His eyes glowed faintly blue.
Guild.
Carter's stomach dropped. "You've got to be kidding me."
The man raised a hand in greeting. "Carter Kane. You've been difficult to track."
Carter stepped back. "I'm not going with you."
The man smiled — calm, almost friendly. "I'm not here to arrest you."
Carter didn't relax. "Then what do you want?"
The man's expression shifted — not threatening, but serious.
"To warn you."
Carter blinked. "Warn me?"
"Yes," the man said. "The Guild isn't your enemy. Not compared to what's coming."
REI floated between them, protective. "Identify yourself."
The man lowered his hood.
A scar ran across his jaw. His eyes glowed brighter.
"My name is Alden Voss," he said. "Mara Voss is my sister."
Carter tensed. "Great. Family reunion."
Alden shook his head. "She doesn't know I'm here. And she wouldn't approve."
Carter narrowed his eyes. "Why are you helping me?"
Alden stepped closer, voice low.
"Because the thing hunting you? It's not just after you."
Carter's pulse quickened. "What do you mean?"
Alden looked toward the sky — toward something far beyond it.
"It's waking up," he said. "And you're the first sign."
Carter swallowed. "You know what it is?"
Alden nodded slowly. "Not fully. But I know this: the Guild can't stop it. And neither can you."
Carter clenched his fists. "Watch me."
Alden smiled faintly. "Good. You'll need that attitude."
He reached into his coat and tossed something to Carter.
Carter caught it — a small metal device, shaped like a coin, etched with runes.
"What is this?"
"A stabilizer," Alden said. "It'll help you survive the Black Hollow Rift."
Carter stared at him. "Why give this to me?"
Alden's expression hardened.
"Because if you die again… the world won't get a third chance."
Before Carter could respond, Alden stepped back.
The air shimmered around him.
And he vanished.
Carter stared at the empty space where he'd stood.
REI floated closer. "Carter… this changes things."
Carter pocketed the stabilizer. "Yeah. It does."
He looked toward the distant hills.
Toward Black Hollow.
"Let's keep moving."
He stepped forward.
The path ahead darkened.
And the next stage of his evolution waited.