The Beastman stood motionless, his golden eyes never leaving Leon's. His presence felt imposing, not because of aggression, but because of something far more unsettling—
Knowledge.
He knew what had just happened.
Leon remained still, analyzing the stranger. Beastmen were territorial, powerful, and rarely ventured outside their lands. The fact that this one was here, right after the Hollow's stirrings, meant only one thing—
He came because of the shrine.
Jarek, however, had no patience for silent standoffs. "Alright, I'll say it—who the hell are you?"
The Beastman's gaze flicked to Jarek, then back to Leon. "My name is Kaelen. I am a Sentinel of the South."
Leon's thoughts clicked into place.
Sentinels.
They were an elite force among the Beastmen, warriors and hunters whose sole duty was to watch for threats beyond their lands.
Which meant—
Kaelen hadn't just stumbled upon this shrine.
He had been watching it.
---
The Veil is Weakening
Leon crossed his arms. "You sensed the disturbance. That means you knew something was here before I activated the shrine."
Kaelen gave a small nod. "The veil grows weak. This place is… compromised."
Jarek muttered, "That's not ominous at all."
Leon frowned. "Then why hasn't anyone done anything about it?"
Kaelen's ears twitched, as if weighing his words. "Because the veil was holding. We have watched this shrine for years, ensuring it remained dormant."
Leon's jaw tightened. "Until I touched it."
Kaelen's expression remained unreadable. "You carry a mark of resonance. The shrine responded to you. It did not act on its own."
Leon's palm tingled slightly. Resonance.
That word meant something.
The shrine reacted because he was connected to it. But why? And what exactly was it sealing away?
Leon took a slow breath. "The entity that appeared—it wasn't fully formed. It was trying to pull through, but it couldn't."
Kaelen nodded. "Because the veil has not fully broken. But now that the Hollow has seen you…"
His golden eyes darkened.
"It will not stop."
---
A New Target
Leon already knew what Kaelen meant.
The Hollow had marked him. It had reached out once, testing the boundaries of reality. Next time, it wouldn't just send a fragment.
Jarek rubbed his temples. "Great. So now we've got an ancient void nightmare actively hunting us. Love that."
Kaelen's ears flicked toward the trees. He turned slightly, posture tense. "I do not believe you are safe here."
Leon picked up on it immediately. "Something's coming?"
Kaelen's gaze flickered toward the sky, then back to Leon. "Not yet. But soon."
Jarek groaned. "I hate when people say stuff like that."
Leon made a quick decision. "Then we leave. Now."
Kaelen studied him for a moment, then gave a slow nod. "Wise."
Leon turned to Jarek. "We move fast. If the Hollow's watching, we don't stay in one place."
Jarek sighed. "I was hoping you'd say we camp for the night, but sure. Let's run for our lives instead."
Leon didn't waste time responding.
Because in the back of his mind, one thought refused to fade—
The Hollow had seen him.
And now?
It was waiting.
---