# **Part IV – Shadow Echoes**

 

## **Chapter 1 – Return to Skalin**

Skalin greeted them with a silence that Lena didn't find comforting. There was a strange note to it—as if the city were holding its breath after a storm no one saw, yet everyone felt its consequences.

The runes on the walls of the old power plant pulsed with a faint light, though no one had touched them for weeks. The same signs that had pulsated with menace only moments ago now seemed to whisper with a low, barely audible sound. Lena stopped in front of the main entrance, looking out at the familiar streets.

"Things have changed," she murmured softly.

Marta stood beside her, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Every place that has experienced evil changes. People too."

Piotr glanced at the neon sign "Skalin – Welcome," which flickered erratically, as if someone were playing with the power supply. "It looks like the city itself is trying to let us know it hasn't finished speaking yet."

Klara, new to the team, stepped closer to the walls.

"Runes don't behave like this without reason. They react. But... to what?"

Lena felt a sense of unease creeping under her skin. She couldn't name it, but she was certain of one thing—something in Skalin was stirring again. And this time, she wasn't sure if it was a single enemy or something much larger.

A single crack came from inside the power plant, like a broken cable. Łukasz instinctively stepped in front of the group.

"Stay here. I'll check."

But before he could enter, Zofia touched his arm.

"The city's emotions are... stirred. Don't go there alone."

Łukasz looked at her, trying to understand how one could sense the emotions of buildings, but said nothing.

Lena pushed open the door.

"Together. As always."

They went inside.

And there, in the semidarkness, something waited that even they hadn't expected.

Someone stood by the old generator.

A man. Young. Dressed in a coat that was difficult to attribute to any era.

"You're late," he said calmly, without turning around.

Lena felt a surge of tension creep up her spine.

"Who are you?"

"Names are unnecessary," he replied. "But if you must call me something... I am the herald."

He turned away. His gaze was cold, yet strangely empty.

"You came to defend a city that wants to decide its own fate. Skalin is awakening. And you... you are just part of a larger game."

The runes glowed brighter, as if vibrating at the sound of his voice.

Marta whispered:

"He's not an ordinary man..."

"Of course not," he smiled weakly.

"But that's only the beginning."

And he simply vanished—as if he vanished into thin air.

Peter exhaled.

"That... wasn't normal."

Klara's voice trembled:

"Who was that?"

Lena remained silent.

But deep down, she knew one thing:

"This person didn't come to warn them.

He came to check on them."

--

## If you want to continue, write:

**"Next" or "Yes"**

and we move on to **Chapter 2 - Secrets of Ancient Rituals**."