The creature stepped forward.
The trees bent beneath its weight.
Uriel couldn't see its entire body. Its shoulders alone rose above the canopy, covered in dark, weathered hide that looked older than the forest itself.
Its amber eyes remained fixed on him.
Nox was silent.
That frightened Uriel more than the creature.
Veyra moved beside him.
"Uriel."
"I know."
"Do you?"
He didn't answer.
Captain Darius raised his sword.
"Nobody attacks."
The order sounded almost absurd.
But everyone obeyed.
The creature lowered its head.
Its breath rolled through the clearing like warm fog.
Then it spoke.
Not with a mouth.
The voice entered their minds.
Keeper.
Uriel froze.
The mask burned.
Maera staggered backward.
"What was that?"
Veyra looked at Uriel.
"You heard it too."
The creature's gaze never left him.
You have returned.
Uriel's heart hammered.
"I've never been here."
The creature remained still.
Not in this life.
The words struck something buried inside him.
Images flashed.
A burning temple.
Four enormous wings crossing a crimson sky.
A hand gripping his own.
A voice screaming his name.
Then darkness.
Uriel dropped to one knee.
The creature moved closer.
Veyra raised her sword.
"Stay back."
The creature stopped.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then its enormous head lowered until one amber eye was level with Uriel.
You are incomplete.
Uriel forced himself upright.
"What does that mean?"
You remember nothing.
"Then tell me."
The creature's eyes narrowed.
It is not my place.
Before Uriel could respond, the creature turned toward the forest.
Leave this road.
Captain Darius frowned.
"Why?"
The creature's attention shifted toward him.
Because what hunts you is not what you fear.
A deep tremor passed through the earth.
Then the creature vanished between the trees.
The smaller eyeless beasts followed.
Within seconds, the forest was empty.
Uriel stared into the darkness.
Nox finally spoke.
We should listen.
"Why?"
Because that thing was afraid of something.
Uriel looked toward the northern road.
For the first time, he wondered whether the disappearances were only the beginning.