Chapter 113: The Path Forward
As the chamber settled into silence, Raizen took a steadying breath. The Mark of the Sovereign pulsed against his skin, a weightless energy coursing through his veins. Whatever this trial had been, it had recognized him. Accepted him.
Joran kicked a fallen stone. "So… what now? Do we just wait for the ruins to tell us our next step?"
Seraphina's eyes remained fixed on the Draconic sigil still floating in the air. "No. The real test begins now."
Raizen narrowed his gaze. "Explain."
Seraphina turned to him, her expression serious. "This place was meant to be a proving ground. Only those with the blood of the Sovereigns could access it, and only those worthy could receive its blessing. You didn't just pass the trial—you have now been marked. Others will sense it."
Kain crossed his arms. "You're saying this just put a target on his back?"
Seraphina nodded. "Not just him—all of us."
A New Destination
Liana's voice crackled through their comms. "We have a problem."
Raizen exhaled. "Of course we do. What is it?"
"The ship's sensors just picked up something moving in the atmosphere. I can't get a full read, but… we're not alone."
Raizen's instincts flared. "Time to move."
The group hurried back toward the ruined passageway they had entered from. As they ascended through the crumbling structure, Raizen's newly awakened senses tingled with something… different.
He could feel them. Unseen eyes. Hidden presences.
Seraphina muttered under her breath, "They're watching."
Joran's grip tightened on his weapon. "Then let's give them a show."
Raizen smirked. "Not yet. We don't know what we're dealing with."
Kain checked his rifle. "That's never stopped you before."
Raizen laughed. "Fair point."
Departure and Pursuit
They emerged onto the surface just as Liana's voice came through again. "Raizen, you're not gonna like this—two unidentified ships just entered orbit. They're scanning the planet."
Seraphina's jaw tightened. "They felt the activation of the sigil. They're looking for us."
Raizen turned to his crew. "Time to leave."
The team sprinted toward the waiting dropship, the mist around them shifting unnaturally as if responding to their movements. As soon as they boarded, Liana wasted no time—the ship roared to life, launching off the planet's surface.
On the bridge of the flagship, Raizen stood before the main display, watching as the unidentified ships altered their trajectory. They had noticed them.
Kain sighed. "Well, that was fast."
Raizen's golden irises gleamed. "Let them come."
The galaxy was watching now.
And Raizen was ready to make his next move.