Kael found Serya in the old generals' quarters. She was sitting by the window, legs folded beneath her, her gaze lost on the hanging gardens. The twilight light bathed the room in a purple hue, almost unreal.
He knocked softly on the doorframe.
"Come in," she said without turning.
Kael stepped forward and sat on a stool, facing her.
"Have you eaten?"
"A little."
"Do you sleep?"
"Badly."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Serya slowly turned her head. Her washed-out eyes gleamed with a feverish light.
"You want to know what I saw."
"Yes."
"It's not beautiful."
"I didn't expect it to be."
Serya looked away.
"In the marshes, the mists showed fragments. Pieces of time. Echoes of what is, what will be, what could have been."
"Visions."
"Yes. But not like before. Before, I controlled them. Now, I endure them."
"What did you see?"
"You. First. On a black throne. Surrounded by flames."
"That's flattering."
"No. The flames didn't illuminate you. They were consuming you."
Kael tensed.
"Continue."
"I saw a king without a face. He stood among broken mirrors. And each mirror showed a version of you. Different. Monstrous."
"Xelphar."
"Yes."
"And then?"
"I saw a woman. A human. She was calling you. She was weeping."
Kael felt his heart tighten.
"Lena?"
"No. Another. Older. Dark hair. A scar on her forehead."
"I don't know her."
"Yet she knew you. She called you 'my king.'"
"That's impossible."
"Perhaps. But it was clear."
Serya closed her eyes.
"There was something else. An army. Not demons. Not humans. Shadows. Faceless shapes. They were advancing toward the Neverdie Realm."
"An army of shadows?"
"Yes. And behind them, a voice. A single voice. It said: 'The dream is not over.'"
Kael stood.
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Because I didn't know if it was real. Sometimes the mists lie."
"And now?"
"Now I believe it was a warning."
Kael paced, hands clasped behind his back.
"An army of shadows. A faceless king. A woman who calls me."
"Yes."
"And the dream that may not be over."
"Yes."
Kael stopped at the window.
"I thought I was done with that spell."
"The spell is broken. But its echoes remain."
"You think I'm still in danger?"
"I think the danger comes from outside."
"From whom? From what?"
"I don't know. But something is approaching."
Kael turned.
"Can you still feel it?"
"Yes. In waves. Like pressure at the back of the skull."
"Stay here. I'll have the defenses reinforced."
"It's not an ordinary army, Kael."
"I know."
"Then what will you do?"
"First, understand. Then, act."
Serya looked at him for a long moment.
"Do you believe me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because you've never lied. And because your visions have always meant something."
"Even the craziest ones?"
"Especially those."
Serya lowered her head.
"I don't want to see anymore."
"I know."
"But it comes back. Especially at night."
"Then don't stay alone."
"You want me to sleep with you?"
"I want you not to isolate yourself."
Serya managed a sad smile.
"I'll try."
"Good."
Kael walked toward the door.
"If you see anything else, come find me. No matter the hour."
"I will."
"Promise."
"I promise."
Kael left.
In the corridor, Kira waited for him.
"Well?"
"She saw things."
"Serious?"
"Yes."
"What do we do?"
"We prepare. And we watch."
"Watch who?"
"Everyone. The borders. The kings. The shadows."
Kira nodded.
"We'll get there."
"We must."
They walked back toward the war room.
Outside, the sky darkened, and stars appeared one by one.
But somewhere beyond the mountains, a shadow moved.
And it was looking toward the Neverdie Realm.