The days following the frost wyrm's fall moved in quiet rhythm. The city breathed again, cautiously, but without chains. Broken walls were mended, the poisoned roots of the Eternal Empire's corruption dug out piece by piece. With Darius gone, and his web of lies exposed, the people had begun to reclaim what was theirs.
Leon stood atop a watchtower at dawn, the wind teasing strands of his silver-black hair. Below him, the city shimmered in soft morning light. Merchants opened their shops again. Children ran across the stone paths where blood once dried. And above all, there was no fear in their eyes. Not today.
Behind him, Kaelis stepped forward, tightening the strap of his blade. "The scouts returned. We've got a route mapped. Supply caches, mana wells, and outposts, most abandoned. The path to the Empire is wide open."
Leon didn't answer at first. He was watching the horizon. His expression cold as ever, but thoughtful. "Kel's quiet," he muttered.
"He's inside you now," Kaelis replied. "I'm surprised the wyrm isn't tearing things apart."
Leon's eyes flickered darkly. "It knows its place."
Within the depths of his shadow, four entities stirred:
The beast he had consumed upon his return, feral, loyal, and still adapting to his will.
The assassin of the Eternal Empire, silent and obedient, a deadly shade molded from betrayal.
Kel, the weakest commander of the Empire, arrogant in life, humbled in undeath.
And finally, the corrupted frost wyrm, its icy soul now bound in silence, waiting for release.
Leon had trained them in secret. Honed their minds, shaped their obedience. They were no longer just shadows. They were his.
They walked through the city one last time.
People recognized him, not as a hero returned, but as the storm that had ended the silence. Men bowed their heads. Women gave respectful nods. No praise, no cheering, just understanding. Quiet gratitude.
"Thank you… for breaking the curse," one man whispered as Leon passed. He didn't stop walking. He didn't need thanks.
He had never returned for them.
Later, the two stood at the city's edge, the road to the north stretching toward hostile lands. Leon adjusted his black coat and summoned a wisp of shadow to his hand. It curled like smoke and faded.
Kaelis looked at him. "You sure about this?"
Leon didn't respond immediately. Then "Kel was the weakest commander. That alone tells me what we're walking into."
"You're not alone this time," Kaelis said quietly.
Leon finally turned to look at him. "I never was."
They stepped forward as the sun began to rise behind them, casting long shadows that stretched toward the unknown.
As they walked, four shadows followed. Silent. Loyal. Eternal.