I stood and moved closer to examine the carvings. "Why was I never taught this?"
"Because those who fear connection will always try to destroy its history." Morokh's form rippled. "Your father was afraid of what you might become if you embraced both sides of your nature."
I pressed my palm against the carving, feeling the truth resonate through me. "And what is that?"
"Something neither shadow nor human alone could be," Morokh answered. "Something powerful enough to change everything."
The realization settled into me, not as a shock but as a recognition of something I'd always known. My shadows responded, no longer thrashing but flowing smoothly around me.
"Tomorrow will test you," the elder said. "Not just your strength or courage, but your capacity to embrace all that you are."
I nodded, understanding finally what I needed to do.
"Thank you," I said, but Morokh had already faded into the darkness.
Alone again, I extinguished the remaining candles with a gesture. For the first time in my life, I wasn't afraid of what lived inside me. I let them merge, feeling a new power flow through my veins.
I had one more night before we faced Umbra. One more night to prepare.
One more night to be with Aya.
The Integration Festival transformed the neutral territory between human colonies and monster lands into a riot of color and sound. Pavilions representing each tribe stretched across the valley, banners snapping in the breeze. Humans and monsters mingled, some awkwardly, others with the ease of long association.
I moved through the crowds in my formal attire, shadows carefully controlled to appear more solid, more human. Aya walked beside me, her hand in mine. She'd dressed in traditional shadow walker ceremonial clothes, flowing black fabric that caught the light in strange ways, making her seem to flicker between worlds.
"There are so many people," she whispered, eyes wide as she took in the gathering. "I've never seen all the tribes together like this."
"It only happens once a year," I replied, guiding her through a dense crowd. "The perfect opportunity for Umbra to showcase his 'successes.'"
Our plan was simple, but dangerous. When Umbra took the stage for the opening ceremony, our allies would step forward with the evidence. I would confront him directly, revealing his corruption before all the tribes.
Throughout the day, I caught glimpses of our allies moving into position. Elder Morokh drifting near the main stage, Lyra and her pack securing the perimeter, the Void Walkers melding with the shadows of the festival tents.
As evening approached, I led Aya toward the central pavilion where the ceremony would begin. The uneasy feeling that had plagued me all day intensified.
"Something's wrong," I murmured, pulling her closer to my side.
Aya's eyes scanned the crowd. "Umbra's guards are everywhere," she noted. "More than usual."
I caught sight of Seris moving urgently toward us through the throng. His usually stoic face was tight with concern.
"We have a problem," he growled when he reached us. "Someone talked. Umbra knows."
My blood ran cold. "How much does he know?"
"Enough to have doubled his security. He's moved the ceremony up by an hour and changed the location." Seris glanced at Aya. "And he's looking specifically for her."
I instinctively stepped in front of Aya, shadows darkening around us. "We need to regroup. Find Elder Morokh and?—"
"There's no time," Seris interrupted. "The ceremony begins in minutes. We need to move now or lose our chance completely."
I felt Aya's hand on my arm. "We can't turn back," she said firmly. "Too many people are counting on us."
She was right, but the thought of her in danger made my shadows writhe.
"Stay with me," I told her. "No matter what happens, do not leave my side."
We followed Seris through the festival, taking circuitous routes to avoid Umbra's guards. The new location for the ceremony was a natural amphitheater at the edge of the festival grounds, more isolated, with fewer escape routes.
