The next morning, the cold light of dawn crept through the cracks in the shelter. He woke slowly, feeling the weight of exhaustion in his body. The mark on his chest still pulsed faintly, like a quiet heartbeat. The girl was already awake, sitting near the small fire she had started.
"We don't have much time," she said quietly. "The hunters are closer now. They know you're here."
He rubbed his eyes and sat up. "Why do they want me so badly? What do they want from the mark?"
She looked at him with seriousness. "The mark holds a power. A power that could change everything. That's why they chase you."
Suddenly, a sharp noise outside made them both freeze. Footsteps, many of them, surrounding the shelter. The hunters had found them.
"We have to move," the girl whispered urgently. "There's a hidden passage behind the east wall. It leads under the city."
He nodded, quickly grabbing the small book from the nightstand. They moved silently through the shadows, hearts pounding.
The hidden passage was dark and narrow, filled with dust and broken stones. As they moved deeper, the sounds of the hunters faded behind them.
After what felt like hours, they finally reached a small underground chamber. It was quiet except for the dripping of water.
He opened the ancient book again, searching for answers. "What is this place?" he asked.
"It's one of the old hideouts," the girl explained. "Safe for now, but not forever."
He studied the pages again. The symbols seemed to glow softly in the dim light. Suddenly, a memory flashed in his mind, a face, a name, a promise made long ago.
The mark pulsed stronger, filling him with warmth and a strange power. "I think I'm starting to remember," he said, voice trembling.
"Good," she said. "Because you'll need that power soon. The hunters won't stop until they have it."
Outside, the city was waking. Danger was everywhere, but so was hope.
His journey was just beginning.