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The Reunion – A Love That Cannot Be Denied
The gates of the royal capital loomed ahead, the grand walls of Astria standing tall under the evening sun. The city bustled with life, yet tension clung to the air like an unspoken omen.
As the Valkary rode through the streets, whispers spread like wildfire.
"They've returned…"
"The demons of war…"
"Did they succeed?"
Modred ignored them. His focus was elsewhere.
The moment they entered the palace courtyard, Seraphina was already there.
The instant she saw him, her breath hitched—her body moved before her mind could catch up.
And before Modred could react—she ran to him.
Her arms wrapped around him tightly, her warmth pressing against his battle-worn body.
He felt her trembling.
"You're safe…" she whispered, her voice breathless.
Modred stood still. He wasn't used to this.
The warmth of another. The feeling of someone… caring.
Slowly—almost hesitantly—he raised his arms.
And he held her back.
It was subtle. Not tight, not overwhelming.
But it was real.
Seraphina buried her face into his chest, her grip tightening.
"You fought something powerful, didn't you?" Her voice was laced with worry.
Modred didn't respond immediately. Instead, he placed a hand on her head, his touch firm yet… strangely gentle.
"I'm here. That's all that matters."
Seraphina exhaled, her fingers gripping his cloak.
For the first time, she allowed herself to be vulnerable in front of him.
And for the first time, he let her in.
---
The Revelation – A Truth That Shakes the Valkary
The warmth of the moment didn't last.
Minutes later, the Valkary gathered in the royal council chamber. The air was heavy, the room dimly lit by golden chandeliers.
Seraphina stood before them, her expression grave.
"The King is hiding something from you."
Silence fell over the room.
Arthur folded his arms. "We already know he's ordered extermination campaigns. What else is there?"
Seraphina's orange eyes darkened.
"Someone in Astria is working with the Pantheon."
The words sent a chill through the room.
Dante leaned forward. "You're saying we have a traitor? Inside the kingdom?"
Seraphina nodded. "I overheard a meeting between my father and the high priests. They spoke of an 'agreement.' Someone has already made contact with the gods."
Modred's crimson gaze sharpened.
Xeraniel exhaled, his violet eyes glinting. "That means they aren't just fighting us anymore. They have someone feeding them information."
Lucan smirked. "Now, that's interesting."
Seraphina's voice dropped lower.
"It gets worse."
She turned to Modred. "The Pantheon… they know about you."
The room froze.
Modred's fingers tightened around the armrest of his chair.
"Elaborate." His voice was calm. Too calm.
Seraphina swallowed. "I don't know how, but they're aware of your existence. Your power. Your… origins."
The air grew thick with tension.
Dante clicked his tongue. "That means they aren't just targeting Astria anymore. They're targeting him."
Arthur's jaw clenched. "Then we have to find the traitor before it's too late."
Modred leaned forward, his voice cold.
"Did my father-in-law say who it was?"
Seraphina hesitated.
Then—she shook her head.
"No. But he knows. And he's keeping it from you."
Silence.
Then—Lucan chuckled.
"Well, well. Isn't this getting fun?"
---
The Weight of the Unknown – A Growing Storm
The meeting ended in uncertainty.
The Valkary had fought monsters, nobles, armies.
But a hidden enemy within their own kingdom?
This was different.
As the others left the chamber, Seraphina stayed behind.
Modred had remained still, his crimson eyes burning with thought.
She stepped closer. "You don't seem surprised."
Modred glanced at her.
"I expected betrayal. I just didn't expect it to come from within."
Seraphina bit her lip.
"What will you do?"
Modred looked down at his hands. The hands of a killer. The hands of a king's sword.
"I'll do what I must."
Seraphina stepped even closer.
Then—she took his hand in hers.
His eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't pull away.
Her voice was soft.
"Then promise me something."
Modred stared at her. "What?"
She swallowed. "No matter how deep this war goes… don't lose yourself."
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then—his fingers lightly curled around hers.
It was not a promise.
But it was something.
---