Chapter 93 – The Emissary of Storms
The journey eastward began at dawn.
Jean, flanked by Silvia and a handpicked unit of ten elite Envoy Knights, rode through the ancient roadways beyond Luther territory. With Whitney trotting beside her and the light of Celeste glowing faintly behind her eyes, she moved not as a warrior—but as a harbinger.
Ahead lay the Iron Empire.
And the ruins of Valemorra, once a city of angels, now a forgotten battlefield buried beneath layers of history and flame.
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By the third day, the sky had turned storm-gray.
Jean stood atop a cliff overlooking the ruins. Cracked towers pierced the horizon like broken teeth. Wind howled through the shattered streets below.
"This place was once sacred," Silvia said, lowering her spyglass. "Now it's cursed. Even dragons won't fly above it."
Jean felt the divine mark on her spine stir. "Then this is the right place."
But before they could descend—
Lightning struck the ground behind them.
The air sizzled.
And standing in its place: a lone figure in a cloak of wind, wielding a trident humming with divine force.
"Jean Luther," the figure said. "Daughter of Light."
Jean turned slowly.
The woman's skin shimmered with electric tattoos. Her eyes were violet storms.
"I am Kaelis, Emissary of the Skyfather Galeos," she said. "And you are trespassing."
Jean's hand moved toward Luxclade.
"I'm here for the Tear of the Sky."
Kaelis laughed. "Then we are enemies."
The wind roared around them, forming a funnel of divine power. The Envoy Knights raised their weapons.
But Jean stepped forward.
"I don't want a fight."
Kaelis raised her trident. "Then yield. Galeos will not allow Celeste's chosen to awaken the Tear. The gods are divided, Jean Luther. And so are we."
Jean's eyes narrowed. "If you raise that trident against me, Kaelis, then you're choosing to delay the battle against the dragons."
Kaelis's smile was sad, storm-wracked. "It's already too late for unity."
Lightning clashed with radiant light.
And the Emissaries fought.
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