Chapter 56: Scars and Whispers
The valley was scorched. Trees blackened. The wind still hummed with the remnants of Vaelith's power.
Andrew collapsed to one knee, Ashren planted in the ground beside him. The shadows around the blade still flickered, but the glow was dimmer now—tired, as if even the sword had limits.
"You bled a god," Mihai said, helping him stand. "That shouldn't be possible."
"It wasn't me," Andrew replied, breath shallow. "It was him."
Elira knelt to check his wounds, pressing her palm to a long slash along his side. Her flames glowed faint and golden, healing—but slower than usual.
"Whatever you tapped into," she whispered, "you're not built to hold it yet."
Andrew didn't argue. The power had nearly devoured him from the inside out. He could still feel the echoes of his past life screaming through the mark Ashren had revealed.
-The Stranger in the Smoke-
As the group gathered near a cold stream to rest, the world seemed to still.
Until footsteps approached.
A man stepped from the tree line—cloaked, face hidden, but his presence felt off. Not threatening, but… ancient.
"You fight like a god. But bleed like a man," he said.
Mihai immediately raised his weapon.
"Who are you?"
The man bowed slightly, though mockingly.
"I am Kalen. Former servant of the Fifth Seat. Current watcher of falling stars."
Andrew stood slowly, every muscle protesting.
"You're here for Ashren."
Kalen smiled.
"Not for the sword. For you. The gods now fear you… but some of us remember what you truly are."
Elira's eyes narrowed. "And what's that?"
Kalen looked directly at Andrew. Through him.
"A king of ashes. A shadow crowned. You just haven't remembered yet."
Before they could act, he vanished—stepping into shadow, as if he were never real.
-Aftermath and New Resolve-
As night fell, the group sat silently.
Elira leaned against a tree, watching the fire, and finally spoke.
"If more are coming… we need allies. We can't do this alone."
Mihai nodded. "There's a place. A citadel in the north where god-forged exiles gather. If we leave by dawn, we can reach it in five days."
Andrew, still staring into the darkness where Kalen had disappeared, whispered:
"Then that's where we go. If the gods want war… they'll get it."
Ashren pulsed once—quietly. As if it agreed.
- Chapter End Hook: In the Heavens-
Far above, in the ruined halls of the High Realm, a great throne cracked.
A voice whispered from it—dry, ragged, ancient.
"I… awaken."
Chains shattered.
"Let the Fifth Seat rise."