Gahom didn't attack immediately.
It waited. Watched. And then—demanded.
Give me the small one. The leader. Maya. Consume her, and I will leave.
The community erupted in fury.
"Never!"
"Not a chance!"
"She's ours!"
Maya stood calm. "You want me? Come get me."
Brave. Foolish. But brave.
"Not brave. Just sure. Sure that my community won't let you take me. Sure that we're stronger together than you are alone."
I am never alone. I am Gahom. I am hunger itself.
"And hunger without connection is just emptiness. I learned that from your brother."
The Watcher stepped forward.
Leave, Gahom. Or stay and learn. Your choice.
Gahom hesitated.
For the first time in eternity, it hesitated.