The first scream didn't sound human.
Rumi felt it before she heard it—a sharp pull in her chest, like something invisible had wrapped around her heart and yanked hard. The shadows along the street twitched, stretching unnaturally as if listening.
"That thing," she whispered. "It's calling people."
Jinu's jaw tightened. "It hunts through fear. And memory."
The moment his words landed, the air collapsed inward.
From the alley mouth, the creature emerged—not crawling, not running—but unfolding, limb by limb, like darkness learning how to stand. Its face shifted constantly, mimicking voices, faces, pain.
"Rumi…" it whispered—in her mother's voice.
Her breath shattered.
Before she could react, power exploded from her core.
Silver light burst from her skin, swirling violently around her body like a living storm. The ground cracked beneath her feet. Her hair lifted as if gravity had forgotten her.
Jinu stared.
Not in fear.
In awe.
"Rumi," he said softly, stepping closer. "You're doing this."
She turned to him, eyes glowing, chest rising and falling fast. "I can't stop it."
"Don't," he murmured.
The monster lunged.
Rumi raised her hand—and the universe answered.
Light slammed into the creature, hurling it into the far wall with a shriek that rattled glass. But the backlash sent her stumbling.
Jinu caught her.
Hard.
Her back hit his chest, his arms locking around her waist, grounding her power instantly. The sudden stillness between them was intimate, intense, dangerous.
She could feel everything.
His breath against her neck.His heartbeat—fast, steady, alive.The way his hands tightened, not to control her… but to hold her.
"Easy," he whispered. "I've got you."
Her head tilted back before she realized it. Their faces were inches apart now. Too close. Close enough that the world felt distant, unreal.
"Jinu…" she breathed.
For a split second, neither moved.
Then the monster roared again.
Jinu spun them, shielding her as dark tendrils lashed out. He released her only long enough to strike, gold energy flaring violently from his hands. Where his power met hers, the air crackled, vibrating like a living thing.
They weren't just fighting together.
They were amplifying each other.
The creature shrieked, collapsing into ash and shadow that evaporated under their combined force.
Silence followed.
Heavy. Charged.
Rumi turned to him slowly, heart still racing—not from the fight, but from the way her body remembered his hold.
"That power," she said quietly. "It only reacts like that when you're near."
Jinu swallowed. "Same."
Their hands brushed again—this time intentionally. Energy sparked instantly, racing up her arm, pooling low in her stomach. Her breath caught.
Memories flashed through her mind without warning.
Her dying in his arms in another life.Him whispering her name as the world burned.A promise made between souls, not mouths.
Her knees weakened.
Jinu stepped closer instinctively, his forehead nearly touching hers. "Rumi… whatever we are—"
A slow clap echoed from the shadows.
"Well," a smooth, mocking voice said, "this is getting inconvenient."
From the darkness stepped Aeyra.
Perfect posture. Cold smile. Eyes sharp with calculation.
"So this is the girl," she said, circling Rumi slowly. "The one rewriting destiny."
Rumi straightened immediately, power humming beneath her skin. "You should stop before you regret it."
Aeyra smiled wider. "Oh, darling. I don't regret anything. Especially not taking what's meant to be mine."
Jinu moved beside Rumi, close enough that their shoulders touched. Protective. Defiant.
And somewhere far away, Kumandrah felt the shift—felt Rumi's power awaken fully—and smiled.
The game had begun.