The rain hadn't stopped since dawn.Each drop hissed when it hit the old dirt road, like the world was burning out slow.
Kim watched from the edge of the campfire as Tix tightened his gloves. Bob sat beside him, still wrapping a bandage around his arm.
"You sure about this?" Kim asked, voice flat.Tix nodded. "You said we needed to grow. This is how."Bob forced a grin. "We'll be back before you can yell at us again, boss."
Kim didn't smile. He just looked at the horizon—the mist curling over the trees like ghosts."Don't die," he said finally.Then they left.
The forest swallowed them quick.Tix led, silent; Bob hummed a tune just to fill the quiet. It was supposed to be a simple run—track rumors of an Awakened near the cliffs, learn what they could, get back.But the air started to feel wrong the moment they crossed the ridge.
A shadow moved between the trees.
"Feel that?" Bob whispered.
Tix stopped. His eyes narrowed. "Yeah. We're being watched."
The voice that answered wasn't near—it was everywhere.
"So these are the scraps Kim sends me."
A man stepped from the fog, barefoot, his coat torn like it had been through a war.His eyes were hollow white, and his smile never reached them.
"Name's Vox," he said. "You're standing in my silence."
The forest died around them—every sound cut off, every color drained.
Bob drew his blade. "He's an Awakened…"
Vox tilted his head. "You catch on fast."
Then the world exploded.
Tix barely saw the strike.One second Vox was standing still—the next, Bob was flying backward through a tree, blood spraying from his mouth.
"BOB!"
Tix rushed him, slamming a fist of raw soul energy forward. The hit connected—Vox didn't even flinch.
"You hit like you're scared of yourself," Vox said softly. "Let me fix that."
A wave of void energy burst out from his hand, ripping the air apart.Tix was thrown across the clearing, crashing into stone. Pain split his ribs.
Bob tried to get up—failed. Blood ran down his face.Tix dragged himself toward him, voice cracking. "Get up, we're— we're not—"
Vox appeared in front of him. "Not what? Ready? Worthy?"He raised a finger. "You shouldn't have come here."
The ground shattered as the attack came.A black spear of void tore through the air. Bob shoved Tix aside, taking it through the chest.
"BOB!"The scream ripped out of Tix like something breaking inside him.
Vox watched, calm. "He moved faster than I expected. Impressive."
Tix trembled, kneeling beside his friend. Bob's eyes flickered, his hand grabbing Tix's sleeve weakly."Don't… stop… run—"
He went still.
Something inside Tix snapped.
Light cracked through the silence.The ground around him warped, his aura twisting crimson and black. The trees turned to dust.
Vox smiled for the first time. "Ah. There it is. The crack in the soul."
Tix's eyes bled red, his voice splitting between a growl and a scream. "You… killed him…"
Flames of raw will surged from his body, forming jagged patterns that ripped the air itself.He charged.
Their clash shook the mountain.Fist against void, roar against silence.For a moment—just a moment—Tix was faster. Stronger.
Vox blocked, but the impact sent him skidding backward, grin widening. "Finally awake."He stepped forward again, calm. "Now show me if you can stay awake."
They traded blows that tore the night apart.But awakening isn't control—it's chaos.
Vox slipped behind him, driving an elbow into Tix's back. Pain shot through every nerve.The new power burned too hot; his vision blurred; the crimson light began to fade.
"Almost," Vox whispered. "But not enough."
He kicked Tix through the air, slamming him into the rocks. When the dust cleared, Tix didn't move.
Hours later, rain started again.Tix woke to the taste of blood and mud. Bob's body was cold beside him. The road back to camp was a blur of pain and guilt.
He carried Bob on his back, every step leaving red behind.By the time the town lights came into view, he was barely standing.
Kim saw them first—his expression didn't change, but his hands clenched.
Tix stumbled forward, voice broken. "He… he didn't make it…"
Then he fell to his knees, the weight of it all finally hitting.