The iron chains rattled with each movement of the horses. Kael sat in the saddle, his hands bound, closely guarded by Valoria's soldiers. To his left, Elina rode upright, her silver armor gleaming in the sunlight.
Although his body still ached, Kael kept his back straight. His gaze flicked to Elina occasionally, trying to confirm that what he was seeing was real—the childhood friend he had always thought was gone.
Kael finally broke the silence.
"I never thought I'd see you again, Elina. After Eldoria… I thought you were gone with the others."
Elina turned her head slightly, her eyes unreadable. Her voice was calm, but there was a faint tremor.
"I could tell you the same, Kael. The world thought Eldoria was destroyed along with all its inhabitants. But it turns out… we're both still alive. Maybe that's what they call fate."
Kael was confused, his mind full of questions. "How did you end up with them? Valoria… how long have they been in Eldoria?"
Elina paused for a moment before answering. "I don't know all the details. What I remember… I was dragged out of the ruins. When I opened my eyes, I was in Valoria's fortress. They said I was lucky to survive, and from then on… my life changed. I was trained here, given a home, and given a purpose."
Kael stared at her for a long moment. There was relief that Elina was alive, but also unanswered confusion.
"So all this time… you were in Valoria? While I… was fighting alongside Solaris, trying to find my way after Eldoria was lost."
Elina lowered her face slightly, her grip on the reins tightening. "Kael, I had no choice. The world has changed since Eldoria was destroyed. If I hadn't survived… I wouldn't be here now."
Kael took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the rocky path ahead. "I don't understand, Elina. But I want to believe… that you're still the same person I knew back then."
For a moment, Elina's gaze wavered. But she quickly straightened up. "Kael, don't misunderstand. I didn't bring you to Valoria to hurt you. There are things you need to know—something you can only hear there. But… if you resist, I will not hesitate to protect what I now call home."
Kael paused, then smiled faintly—a smile that was barely visible.
"Then… at least I know one thing. You still say my name the same way. That's enough for me… for now."
The sky began to turn golden red as the group entered a rocky valley. In the distance, a black wall loomed—the fortress of Valoria, their final destination.
Kael took a deep breath. Many questions swirled in his head. About Valoria. About why Elina was here. About what awaited him beyond the Kingdom.
The long journey seemed endless. The rocky path climbed through the valley, then through a narrow gap between the black cliffs. The sound of horses' hooves echoed off the stone walls, mingling with the rattling of the chains that still bound Kael. Each step forward felt like a countdown to a fate he still didn't know.
As the sun dipped westward, the sight finally appeared—looming majestically in the distance. A massive fortress stood on a plateau, surrounded by mountain-high walls with pointed towers piercing the sky. Valoria's flag fluttered at every corner, its serpent emblem clearly etched in blood-red ink.
Kael held his breath. The fortress wasn't just a defense—it was a statement of power. And now, he was about to step into the heart of an enemy he had only imagined.
As the group crossed a stone bridge spanning a ravine, Kael saw a black waterfall below, cascading down like a natural moat. The massive steel gates slowly opened, a thunderous roar that sent the air trembling.
As he entered the fortress, the atmosphere was immediately different from what he had imagined. Kael expected darkness, gloom, and a cruel atmosphere. But what he saw instead was… life.
In the streets of the fortress, Valoria's soldiers marched in neat rows, training with near-perfect discipline. Hammers hammered steel in the blacksmith's forge, their clanking echoing throughout the square. Children ran between the stone houses, while merchants hawked their wares in the bustling marketplace.
Kael stared at the scene with a frown. He couldn't deny it—Valoria was a vibrant, orderly, and powerful kingdom. Not just a power-hungry kingdom.
Elina glanced at him briefly, as if noticing Kael's surprise. "Now you see it for yourself. What conditions are like in Valoria. They… have built their own world, Kael. Discipline. Strength. Order."
Kael didn't answer. He simply studied the faces of the villagers. There was calm, but also fear. Their gazes lowered whenever a soldier passed. The smiles they wore felt forced, as if watched by unseen eyes.
Kael whispered softly, more to himself than to Elina. "Forced power… is not life. It's a prison bigger than I imagined."
The group finally stopped in front of a towering structure in the center of the fortress. Valoria Palace. Its tall pillars, adorned with serpentine carvings, seemed almost alive in the twilight. Its black doors stood open, awaiting their arrival.
A high-ranking Valoria officer stepped out, his armor trimmed in gold, his face stern and dignified. He stared coldly at Kael, then turned to Elina.
"So this is your prisoner, Knight Elina?"
Elina bowed respectfully, but her voice was soft. "Yes, General. Kael of Solaris. This man… must be brought before His Majesty. Only he can answer the remaining questions."
Kael lifted his head, staring straight at the palace gate. There were unanswered questions, a deepening mystery.