---- 448.


    1AM NOTHING WITHOUT YOU.


    SIGRID ?Spectral portals were opening along the walls, just like when Ss, summoned them from the ce he had created for them.


    Massive hands emerged, whispering excitedly,ughter echoing in frenzied tones.


    A shiver ran down my spine as I felt the intense surge of dark energy, so overwhelming that even Nyxs flowers withered under its presence.


    "Ss, stop it!" My voice came out strained as I looked at him again, leaning toward the babies beside me.


    "Its not me." His head was lowered, eyes locked on the infant in his hands, holding him up to his chest with both arms.


    "The baby...


    hes the one summoning my specters.


    I cant...


    [cant control them.


    They refuse to return.


    They''ve been called by anew master." Even he sounded lost.


    I clutched my daughters against my chest, holding them close as I tried to move toward him.


    Asingle moment of distraction, and the entire cave trembled.


    The ground shook violently, as if the earth itself was splitting apart.


    "ss!"" I screamed, expanding my magic to protect us, terrified the ceiling might copse.


    But as soon as my energy red, it crashed against an invisible barrier, crackling like sparks in the air.


    ---- Stunned, I turned toward the baby.


    His ck hair floated, shifting as if moved by an unseen force, dark mist curling around him.


    T couldnt see his face.


    Ss was still holding him close.


    He was the only one who had inherited my hair.


    "Dont be afraid, baby.


    Everything will be fine.


    He needs it.


    He needs the dark energy.


    Some of the specters will be part of him." "What?!" I didnt understand at first.


    My body fought to move forward, pressing my daughters closer to my weakened frame.


    Then the elements themselves answered the call.


    Powerful gusts of wind swirled through the small space, tearing through the cave.


    Squinting, I watched as hundreds of shadows crawled out of the cracks in the walls.


    Bubbling ck tar oozed from the openings and surged toward my pup, merging with him.


    How was he absorbing so much raw, vengeful energy? So dark and violent? But Ss held him firmly, his own eyespletely ck now, his aura weaving itself around the child.


    A cyclone of spectral magic erupted, spiraling around us like a raging storm.