The valley did not sleep.
Even when night settled like velvet over the mountains, the land hummed—alive, alert, listening. Fireflies drifted in slow spirals, glowing brighter than they ever had before. The river whispered names no one remembered. Stones warmed beneath bare feet as if remembering the touch of a long-gone sun.
Amaya stood at the edge of the altar clearing, arms wrapped around herself.
She could feel it.
Eyes.
Not watching from one place—but from many.
"Calix," she said quietly.
He was already beside her.
"Yes."
"You feel it too."
His jaw tightened. "They're coming."
Not charging. Not attacking.
Gathering.
---
Far beyond the valley, across scorched plains and frozen seas, the world shifted.
The ancient summons rippled outward—not a sound, not a spell, but a pressure in the bones of every sovereign being alive.
The Heartbound had awakened fully.
And balance had moved.
---
The Dragon King
