Chapter 11: Shadows of the Past
The city was quieter than usual, the streets bathed in the cold silver of the moon. Le Wai moved silently, his steps echoing softly against the empty alleys. Memories of past battles and lost allies weighed heavily on his mind, each shadow a reminder of what he had endured.
He reached the abandoned bridge at the edge of the district, a place where he had once found solace—and danger. His hand touched the cold metal railing, and for a moment, he let himself remember the promises he had broken.
A faint whisper drifted through the night. Le Wai tensed. "Who's there?" His voice barely stirred the air.
From the darkness, a figure emerged, cloaked and mysterious, eyes glinting faintly in the moonlight. Le Wai's pulse quickened, though a strange sense of familiarity tugged at him. "I've been waiting for you," the figure said.
Instinct told him to retreat, but he stayed rooted, curiosity stronger than caution. "Why now? Why me?"
The figure lowered their hood, revealing a face Le Wai thought he'd never see again. "Because the past never forgets, Le Wai. And neither do I."
Memories of battles, betrayals, and unkept promises surged through him. The bridge seemed smaller now, the tension between them almost tangible.
"You left," Le Wai said quietly, his voice barely more than a breath. "You abandoned everything."
"I had no choice," the figure replied softly. "But now, we must decide—do we face the darkness together, or let it consume everything we've fought for?"
Le Wai studied the eyes that once belonged to a friend, searching for any trace of the person he had trusted. For the first time in years, he felt hope—and fear—twisting together in his chest.
The night held its breath, waiting for his answer.