The cold night swallowed them whole.
Eren and Lyra stumbled through the train yard, hiding behind rusted carriages. Each breath burned in his lungs. His body felt like it was tearing apart from the inside — like fire and stone grinding against each other.
"Eren, you're burning up," Lyra whispered, pressing a hand to his forehead. His skin radiated heat.
He collapsed to his knees.
"Lyra… something's happening. I can't… I can't control it."
The pain grew unbearable. His vision blurred. He fell forward — darkness closing in.
But in that darkness…
A voice.
"Eren Locke."
He opened his eyes. He was standing in an endless void, surrounded by swirling light and shadow.
A figure appeared — tall, cloaked in shimmering white and gold, face hidden.
"Who… who are you?" Eren asked.
The figure slowly pulled back his hood. A kind face, ancient eyes that had seen countless ages.
"My name is Colon."
Eren staggered. "You… you're the voice from my dreams."
Colon nodded.
"Why me?"
Colon stepped forward. His voice was calm but carried immense weight.
"I was created for one purpose — to train you, and when the time is right… to tell you the truth."
"The truth?" Eren's breath caught.
Colon's eyes glowed faintly. "You are more than you've been told. You are not cursed. You are chosen."
"But I —"
"Not yet," Colon interrupted softly. "Your time is not yet come."
Eren fell to his knees. "I don't understand… they're hunting me. Why?!"
Colon placed a hand on his shoulder. "Because they fear what you will become."
The vision faded.
Eren gasped awake. The night was silent again. Lyra was holding him tightly.
"You blacked out," she whispered, her voice shaking.
He sat up slowly.
"I think… I think I just met someone," he whispered.
"Who?"
He looked at her with wide eyes. "A guide. His name is Colon. He said he was made to train me… and to tell me the truth."
They sat in silence.
The storm had only just