The mangrove forest swallowed them.
Thick roots twisted through the shallow river channels like giant claws rising from the earth. Dark green leaves formed a canopy above the water, allowing only narrow strips of gray sky to peek through.
Preye pushed past a curtain of hanging vines, her boots splashing through muddy water.
Behind her, Timi was struggling to keep up.
"Wait!" he groaned, "slow down, my legs were not designed for swamp marathons!"
Preye didn't stop.
Her heart was still racing from the fight.
Lightning flickered faintly around her fingers as the storm inside her refused to calm down.
"That man…" she said quietly.
"Barator."
Kuro walked ahead of them, moving through the swamp with effortless precision, as if he had memorized every path.
"Yes," he replied calmly.
"He is not someone you want to face unprepared."
Timi nearly tripped over a mangrove root.
"Great," he muttered. So the terrifying water assassin we just met is stronger than he looked?
Kuro nodded once.
"Yes."
Timi groaned loudly.
"Fantastic, I love good news."
They continued deeper into the swamp.
The sounds of the river slowly replaced the noise of battle. Water trickled through narrow channels while distant birds cried somewhere beyond the trees.
But Preye could still feel something chasing them.
Not footsteps.
Not boats.
Something else.
Pressure.
Like the river itself was watching.
She glanced down at her hand.
Blue lightning flickered across her skin again before fading.
Something is wrong with my Ori, she murmured.
Timi looked at her.
Wrong how?
It keeps reacting on its own.
Kuro stopped walking.
The sudden halt nearly caused Timi to walk straight into him.
Hey! Warning next time!
But Kuro wasn't listening.
He turned toward Preye.
Your power is unstable.
I figured that much, she said dryly.
You awakened your Ori suddenly, Kuro continued; without training.
That's usually how life works, Preye replied, nothing happens when you expect it.
Kuro studied her carefully.
"The storm inside you is ancient."
Preye frowned.
What does that mean?
Before Kuro could answer, Timi raised his hand.
"Quick question."
They both looked at him.
Is this conversation happening while we're still being hunted by scary water assassins?
Preye sighed.
Good point.
Kuro scanned the river currents carefully.
They will follow.
Fantastic, Timi muttered again.
But not immediately, Kuro added.
The mangrove labyrinth confuses outsiders.
He pointed toward the twisting waterways around them.
"This forest is like a maze."
Preye glanced around.
He wasn't exaggerating.
Every direction looked identical.
Roots.
Water.
Trees.
Mist.
Then how do you know the way?" she asked.
Kuro turned and began walking again.
"Experience."
Timi squinted suspiciously.
That sounds like a very vague answer.
But Preye was more interested in something else.
You trained here before?
Kuro slowed slightly.
Not here, he pointed deeper into the mangroves; further inside.
Preye followed his gaze.
The forest ahead looked darker.
Older.
Almost untouched by time.
What's there? she asked.
Kuro hesitated, then he answered;
The Storm Shrine.
Timi immediately stopped walking.
The what!?
"The Storm Shrine," Kuro repeated calmly.
Preye folded her arms.
That sounds dramatic.
It is, Kuro said.
He stepped onto a narrow strip of dry land surrounded by shallow water.
Long ago, warriors trained there to control storm Ori.
Preye felt something stir inside her chest.
Storm Ori?
Yes.
Kuro turned toward her, your power.
The lightning in her hand flickered again.
Stronger this time.
Timi blinked.
"Wait, hold on, you're telling me lightning powers come with a temple?"
"Not exactly," Kuro replied, but the shrine helps storm wielders understand their abilities.
Preye stared toward the distant mangrove forest.
So it's basically training?
"Yes."
And without it?
Kuro's expression didn't change.
"Your power could destroy you."
Timi clapped once nervously.
Well!, that's comforting.
Preye looked down at her glowing hand again.
The storm inside her was restless.
Wild.
Unpredictable.
She clenched her fist.
"Then we go to the shrine."
Timi sighed dramatically, of course we do.