Marcus's smile didn't fade.
Even as half the group raised weapons and the other half backed away, he stood in the center of the firelight like he was exactly where he belonged.
"I wasn't pulled here," he said again, voice deeper now. Almost… doubled.
"I was placed."
His skin crackled again. A thin line split beneath his eye like a seam, dark smoke flickering from it.
"Back away!" Brandon shouted, stepping in front of Elizabeth and Riley.
"Don't let him speak!" Gage growled. "You let things like that talk, they twist you."
But Shoto didn't move to kill.
He moved to lead.
He stepped forward — slowly, deliberately — elemental energy curling around his hands but held tight in check. The others paused when he raised his arm.
"Don't kill him," Shoto said.
Braydon narrowed his eyes. "Why not?"
"Because I want answers."
Marcus's head tilted, eyes glowing faintly beneath the cracking mask of flesh.
"You think you're ready for them?"
Shoto clenched his fist, summoned a burst of wind and fire, and slammed Marcus to the ground with one precise wave of pressure.
The earth cracked beneath them.
Marcus writhed, snarling — voice in two tones now, one human, one… not.
"I've seen your names written in the Deep," Marcus hissed. "The stars remember you. But memory is not mercy."
"Then talk," Shoto said coldly. "Because your time's running out."
Marcus grinned wider.
"I was sent ahead of the fall. A tether. A guide. A crack in your armor. And now—"
SHUNK.
The sound was almost too fast to hear.
A black blade punched straight through Marcus's chest — from behind.
The group gasped.
Marcus convulsed once.
Then dropped, lifeless.
Behind him…
Riven.
He stood calm and shadowed, cloaked in silver-black, his expression unreadable.
His blade dripped with ichor that shimmered like oil.
"I hate when they talk too long," Riven said flatly.
Weapons were instantly raised again.
Gage. Brandon. KJ. Even Elizabeth stepped in front of Shoto.
"No one move," Braydon said loudly. "He's with me."
Everyone turned.
Braydon stepped between them, slowly lowering the tension.
"I know how this looks. But Riven's not like that thing. He's not human — sure — but he's not our enemy."
KJ scoffed. "And we're just supposed to take your word?"
"Yeah," Braydon said. "You are."
Shoto stared at Riven.
"You've been watching us."
"Yes," Riven replied, unapologetic. "Because I wanted to see if you were worth saving."
"Are we?"
"…Most of you."
The group stayed quiet.
Until Shoto lowered his hand.
"If Braydon trusts you… I'll listen."
Riven's lips curled into the faintest smile.
Then he sheathed his blade and stepped into the firelight.