Two Years has passed since the fall of the Byzeth king.
The moon held low in the dark sky, offering silver light upon the roads of the Byzeth Kingdom.
The wind carried the scent of the northern fields, and a man in a worn, dark cloak rode swiftly upon a horse, its hooves thundering against the earth.
His face was obscured, a hood shadowing his features, but his intent was clear—there was no hesitation in his pace, no falter in his gaze as he urged his steed onward through the winding paths, past the small towns and provinces of Byzeth.
He pressed onward through the night, his silhouette became a fleeting after image across villages that slumbered beneath the stars.
Fields transformed to cobblestone streets as he approached the capital, the proud structures of the city rising before him, tall and imposing. He did not slow as he rode through the gates, past the watchful eyes of guards stationed along the path.
His destination stil lay ahead—the castle, its spires piercing the night sky like jagged teeth.
The guards at the castle gates, their armor not of ordinary make, stopped him at last. They were clad in iron and steel, yes, but something more: strange devices adorned their arms and chests, runes etched into metal plates, glowing faintly with the light of mana crystals embedded in the mechanisms.
Magic danced around them like a silent accomplice.
"Halt," one of them commanded, his voice cold.
"State your purpose."
The man raised his head, his voice steady.
"I bring an urgent message for the king."
The guard scoffed, glancing at his companion.
"No one just rides into the castle and demands an audience with the king. Who are you?"
"I am a messenger," the cloaked man replied calmly, "and my message is for the king's eyes only."
The guards moved swiftly, taking the cloaked man by the arms and leading him away. Serina watched him go before turning, the letter still clenched in her hand, and walked deeper into the castle.
The doors to a secluded courtyard swung open at her approach. The guards at the entrance nodded to her, allowing her through without a word.
She entered the quiet space, the moonlight painting shadows on the stone path that led to the center where a large, round, steaming tub stood. The scent of herbs and hot water filled the air.
There, reclining in the bath, his head tilted back, was Aric.
His eyes were closed, his chiseled form relaxed as the steam rose around him, the night's cool breeze barely touching him. He gazed up at the moon, his mind far from the troubles of the kingdom for the moment.
Serina stepped forward, the soft rustle of her robe the only sound as she approached. She stood beside the tub, holding the letter out to him.
"We have a matter of significance," she said.
Aric opened his eyes lazily, taking the letter from her hand. He read in silence, his brow furrowing as his eyes moved across the page. When he finished, he exhaled a long breath and handed it back to her.
"How certain are you of its authenticity?" he asked, his voice calm but edged with the weight of what the letter contained.
Serina's eyes flickered. "The man who brought it bore the mark of the flame crusaders. The mark of dragons."
Aric's gaze lingered on her, a moment of contemplation passing between them.
Then, without another word, he stood from the bath. The water cascaded off his body in rivulets, steam rising from his skin as he stepped out onto the stone floor, his muscular frame bathed in the pale light of the moon.
Serina moved softly, picking up his robe from a nearby chair and walking to his side. With practiced ease, she slid the robe over his shoulders, the soft fabric clinging to his damp skin.
Her fingers brushed against him briefly before she stepped back.
"Call a meeting of the council," Aric said quietly, fastening the robe around his waist. "It seems the time for my return to the Imperial City has come."
Serina nodded, her eyes unreadable as she turned to leave, the letter still clutched in her hand. As she disappeared into the shadows, Aric remained where he stood, gazing out at the moonlit sky once more.
The time has come for a greater step.