Night fell over Vel Asha, but Kael couldn't sleep. He stood atop the ramparts, staring at the moonlit plains.
Eira joined him, her voice gentle. "You're thinking of him… the one who betrayed you."
Kael nodded. "His name was Varyn. He was like a brother. But when the empire offered him power…"
"He took it."
Kael clenched his fists. "He didn't just betray me. He gave our secrets to Morvain. He burned down everything we built."
Below them, the forge roared as new weapons were born. Kael turned to Eira. "If Varyn still lives, I will find him. And I will end it."