Riven did not speak for hours after waking.
His body was weak, bones aching with the toll of stasis, but the magic around him pulsed wildly. The room felt smaller now, like the ice itself recoiled from him.
Theron kept his distance, wary, one hand always near his dagger.
Kaelen stood like a silent shadow, his eyes locked on Riven with both calculation and something colder.
But Aelira stayed at Riven's side.
She gave him water. Let him rest. Waited for the right moment — and it came when his fingers brushed hers, tentative and trembling.
"I remember... pieces," he whispered. "Your voice pulled me back. But the rest… it's like looking into a shattered mirror."
Aelira gently squeezed his hand. "You don't need to remember everything. Just know we're real. And we came for you."
Riven's eyes met hers — and for a moment, she saw what he had been before the fall: proud, fierce, protective. And deeply loyal.
"I swore to stand by your side," he said, voice stronger now. "Even beyond time. That vow… still binds me."
Aelira's heart beat faster.
But the moment was short-lived.
Because above them, a scream pierced the air.
They ran — blades drawn, magic sparking, up the winding staircase into the throne hall, where snow now spilled in from shattered stained glass.
A figure stood at the center — a woman draped in white, her face hidden beneath a frost-veil. Her fingers glowed with pale magic, and her presence chilled the very stone.
"Who are you?" Kaelen demanded, stepping in front of Aelira.
"I come in peace," the woman said. Her voice was soft, like snow falling. "I am Seren. A survivor of the northern sanctums. I felt the Veil tremble, and followed its call here."
Riven's expression darkened instantly. "That name… it's familiar."
Theron raised a brow. "Convenient timing for a survivor."
Seren turned to Aelira, lowering her hood. Her face was impossibly delicate — too perfect, like carved ice.
"I've come to serve," she said simply. "To kneel before the one fated to restore balance to the Veil."
Aelira hesitated.
Her power didn't react to Seren. No warmth, no pull. Just… silence.
Which was impossible.
Riven stepped forward. "I know her," he said slowly. "She was once a seer of the Frost Sanctum… before the Queen corrupted her."
Seren smiled — and in that moment, the illusion cracked.
Her eyes flickered — for a heartbeat — from pale blue to obsidian black.
Then back again.
Aelira's breath caught.
Theron drew his blade.
But Seren only tilted her head. "You're quick. She warned me of that."
"She?" Kaelen asked darkly.
"The Queen," Seren said, voice now colder. "She sends her regards. And a message."
She raised her hand — and a wave of frost-fire exploded across the throne room.
Kaelen was faster. His blade met it midair, slicing through the magic. Theron flanked left, fire roaring from his palms. Riven snarled, frost exploding from his hand as he surged forward.
Aelira stood her ground — eyes glowing white, power crackling as her magic surged.
"Enough."
Her voice boomed like thunder, and the floor beneath Seren split with glowing runes.
The spy screamed — but not in pain. In rage.
"You are awakening too fast," Seren hissed. "She will not allow this."
And with a final surge of cursed frost, she vanished — dissolving into snow and smoke.
Silence fell.
Only the sound of Aelira's magic humming remained.
Kaelen sheathed his blade. "We need to move. Now. She'll send worse next time."
Riven stood at her side, breathing hard. "There are more spies. The Queen planted them in every corner of the old world."
Theron flicked ash from his coat. "Let her come. We'll be ready."
Aelira stared at the shattered glass above.
They had awakened one of the Four.
But the Queen was watching now.
And war… was closer than they thought.