Kael went alone.
No escort, no soldiers, not even Kira. He wanted to move fast, without pomp, without protocol. The Black Forest stretched to the north, dense, dark, full of murmurs. He knew it well enough not to get lost.
He flew part of the way, then walked. The ground was covered in moss, roots, dead leaves. The wolves followed at a distance, without aggression. They knew who he was.
Sylva's palace appeared at the heart of the forest.
It wasn't a stone castle. It was a living structure, carved from immense trees, connected by vine bridges and platforms of dark wood. Torches burned in bone cages. Animal hides hung from branches. And everywhere, hybrids.
Kael stopped for a moment.
There were many of them. Beings half-human, half-beast. Some had wolf muzzles, others deer antlers, bat wings, bear claws. Their bodies were powerful, covered in fur, scales, or feathers. Their eyes gleamed in the half-light.
"Demon King," said a deep voice.
A large hybrid, half-man half-wolf, stepped forward. He carried a stone axe at his belt.
"I've come to see Sylva."
"She's expecting you."
"She knew?"
"She always knows."
Kael followed the hybrid across the walkways. The inhabitants watched him, curious, wary. Some growled softly. Others bowed. Hybrid children hid behind their mothers.
"Your people are many," said Kael.
"The forest's people are numerous. And growing."
"You are close to humans."
"Some of us come from humans."
"Hybrids born of the union of both worlds."
"Yes. The forest welcomes those who find no place elsewhere."
"That's a strength."
"It's a family."
They arrived before a wide platform, atop the tallest tree. Sylva stood there, surrounded by her advisors—ancient beasts with heavy gazes.
"Kael," she said, smiling. "You came."
"Yes."
"Alone."
"Yes."
"You're brave."
"Or in a hurry."
"Come in. We'll talk."
They sat on thick furs around a central fire. Servants brought roasted meat, dark fruits, sap wine.
"What brings you?" asked Sylva.
"The humans."
"The humans?"
"You are closer to them than I am. Your people live at the border. You must know things."
"Many things."
"Speak."
Sylva bit into a rib.
"Humans have changed. They are no longer the prey of old. They have organized. Built walls, temples, armies."
"I know."
"But they have also learned to summon. Not just demons. Something else."
"What?"
"Shadows."
Kael tensed.
"Shadows?"
"Yes. For months now, rituals have taken place near borders. Humans draw circles, offer blood, memories, sometimes children."
"And what responds?"
"Shapes. Faceless things. They rise from the ground, the air, the water. They obey for a time, then vanish."
"Is this new?"
"Yes. Before, summons attracted minor demons. Now they attract something else."
"The shadows of the Golden Cage."
"That's your name for them. Here, we call them the Faceless."
Kael took a sip of wine.
"Why are humans doing this?"
"Because they're afraid. And fear drives the maddest pacts."
"They're afraid of us."
"Yes. But not only."
"What else?"
"Of what's coming. The mists. The nightmares. The villages emptying for no reason."
"They feel the threat."
"Yes. And some embrace it."
Kael set down his cup.
"Do you have spies among them?"
"Hybrids. They go unnoticed."
"What do they say?"
"That the temples are filling. That priests speak of the end times. That demon hunters now hunt something else."
"What?"
"The shadows. And those who summon them."
"Humans are fighting among themselves."
"Yes. As always."
Sylva leaned forward.
"Do you want my opinion?"
"Yes."
"The shadows are not only your problem. They are everyone's problem. Humans, demons, hybrids. And if we don't stop them, they will devour everything."
"Are you ready to ally with humans?"
"No. But I am ready to fight them if they attack my forest."
"It's a start."
"It's all I have."
Kael stood.
"Thank you for the information."
"You're leaving already?"
"Yes."
"You don't want to stay?"
"No."
"Pity."
Sylva stood in turn.
"Be careful, Kael. Humans are no longer what you knew. And neither are the shadows."
"I know."
"Then go. And come back whenever you wish."
Kael nodded.
He left the platform, crossed the walkways, exited the forest.
The wolves followed him to the edge, then disappeared.
Kael's kingdom awaited him.
And somewhere in the distance, the shadows were beginning to show themselves.