Chapter 946 — The Weight Before Dawn
The Hollow hummed with life and purpose.
For the first time since its founding, its vast forges, spires, and command halls burned through the night—not with panic, but with preparation. The banners of Ironside, the sigil of Greystone, and the waves of the Ocean Kingdom all hung beside the Hollow's crest above the central plaza. Soldiers of four realms filled the air with their mingled accents, their armor gleaming beneath the light of crimson lanterns.
Kael moved through the bustle like a shadow of command—his cloak trailing, his expression calm and deliberate. Orders left his lips with precision, carried swiftly by captains and couriers to every corner of the fortress-city.
"Supply the eastern hangars with reinforcement plating," he said to a passing quartermaster. "If Greystone's artificers need more mana cores, divert stock from the secondary forge."
Every instruction was obeyed without question, and yet, deep within Kael, a stillness coiled—like the moment before a storm breaks.
Eris spoke softly, her voice a silver thread winding through his mind.
You have done well. The kingdoms rally, your people stand proud, and the enemy trembles. Why, then, does your pulse whisper unease?
Kael's stride slowed as he looked out across the Hollow's battlements. The air was thick with anticipation and steel.
"I don't know," he admitted quietly. "Everything is falling into place—and yet it feels like something is missing. Like I've forgotten to mend a wound that's still bleeding."
Ah, Eris murmured, her tone thoughtful. Perhaps not all wounds are visible, Kael.
He didn't answer her. He simply stood there, watching the banners flutter and the world move beneath his rule, and yet feeling strangely… hollow inside.
Later that evening, after the last of the allied emissaries had gone to rest, Kael finally retreated to his private chambers.
Lyria was there, waiting for him. The soft golden light of the lanterns painted her face in gentle warmth as she stood by the window, arms crossed, her silver hair cascading down her shoulder.
"You look like you've been carrying a mountain," she said softly as he entered. "You should rest before dawn. You've earned at least that much."
Kael let out a low sigh, removing his cloak and setting it over a chair. "Rest is a luxury I can't afford right now. Not when everything depends on tomorrow."
"Tomorrow always depends on something," Lyria said. "But you, Kael… you've been walking around like there's a weight on your chest you refuse to name."
Kael glanced at her, the corner of his mouth twitching in faint humor. "You always see through me."
"Of course I do," she said, stepping closer. "So what is it?"
He hesitated, his gaze falling to the floor. "I keep thinking something's wrong. That I'm missing something—something critical. The alliances, the armies, even the strategy… it's all coming together, but I can't shake this feeling."
Lyria tilted her head slightly. "It's not the plan that's wrong, Kael."
He looked up, confused. "Then what?"
"It's you," she said gently. "It's what's unresolved between you and Zerathis."
Kael stiffened, his jaw tightening. "That—"
She raised a hand, cutting him off. "Don't tell me it's nothing. You're not the same since that fight. You hide it well, but the air changes when his name is mentioned. You don't even look him in the eye anymore."
Kael turned away, walking toward the window. Outside, the Hollow shimmered with lights and movement. "He disobeyed me," he said quietly. "He nearly cost us everything by letting his emotions rule him. I can't just forget that."
"And yet," Lyria said softly, stepping beside him, "you're doing the same thing now."
Kael blinked, turning to her. "What do you mean?"
She met his gaze without hesitation. "You're letting pride and ego guide your silence. You're both too stubborn to see that you're on the same side. You can't lead the Hollow into this fight with that kind of fracture between its two strongest pillars."
Kael exhaled slowly, his expression hard but weary. "You think I should just forgive him? After he struck me? After he nearly—"
"I think," Lyria interrupted gently, "that you're going to swallow your pride and talk to him. Civilly. Like the man who saved him from the dungeon, and the man who wants to save this world again."
Her voice softened further, her eyes holding his. "Because if you go into this fight with anger in your heart, Kael… you won't be leading them. You'll be dragging them."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. The room was silent except for the faint hum of the Hollow outside. Then he finally nodded.
"You're right," he murmured, almost reluctantly. "Damn it, you're right."
Lyria smiled faintly, resting her hand on his chest. "I usually am."
He caught her hand gently, holding it there as he looked out into the night once more. The city glowed beneath the twin moons—alive, ready, waiting.
And somewhere, beyond the noise and light, Kael knew Zerathis was out there too—alone, angry, and just as conflicted as he was.
Eris's voice drifted through his mind, quiet and contemplative.
Perhaps what you feel isn't dread, Kael. Perhaps it's simply the absence of peace.
Kael's grip on Lyria's hand tightened slightly. "Then I'll have to make peace before dawn."