Kael stood still at the edge of the trees.
The smoke rising from the village moved slowly, carried by the wind.
Lira watched him closely.
She felt his tension through the bond
sharp, controlled, ready.
"Kael…" she whispered.
"You're thinking about going in."
He didn't answer with words.
But she felt his intent clearly
People are there.
The Seer stepped beside them.
"That village is under the Empire's shadow," he said.
"Not soldiers. Not yet.
But eyes are watching."
Lira hugged her arms.
"What happens if we go in?"
The Seer answered honestly.
"You will be seen.
Talked about.
Remembered."
Kael looked at the smoke again.
Lira felt his thoughts shift
images of fear, of running, of hiding forever.
Then something firmer.
Resolve.
She stepped closer to him.
"You don't want to hide anymore," she said softly.
Kael met her eyes.
Through the bond, she felt his reply
If we hide forever, they control the world.
The Seer studied Kael.
"You understand the cost?"
Kael nodded once.
Lira felt it too.
Danger.
Risk.
Pain.
She took his hand.
"Then we don't hide," she said.
"We walk in together."
The Seer exhaled slowly.
"Very well.
They stepped out of the forest.
The ground changed under their feet from soft soil to worn paths.
Simple homes came into view.
Wood.
Stone.
Smoke from cooking fires.
People noticed them almost immediately.
A man paused while carrying water.
A child stopped running.
Eyes followed them.
Lira felt nervous.
Kael squeezed her hand.
She felt his calm steady her.
An older woman stepped forward cautiously.
"You two… are travelers?"
Lira nodded.
"Yes. Just passing through."
The woman studied them carefully.
"You should be careful here," she said quietly.
"Things have been changing."
Kael tilted his head slightly.
Lira felt his question through the bond.
"What kind of changes?"
The woman lowered her voice.
"Strangers asking questions.
About light.
About shadows."
Lira's heart skipped.
Kael's grip tightened.
The woman continued:
"They say the Empire is searching for something dangerous."
Lira swallowed.
"And if they find it?"
The woman looked at them both.
"Then no one here will be safe."
Kael felt anger rise in his chest.
Lira felt it too.
She placed her hand over his.
"We won't bring danger to you," she said gently.
The woman nodded, unsure.
As they walked deeper into the village, Lira felt something else.
Eyes.
Not normal ones.
Watching from far away.
She leaned closer to Kael.
"Kael… we're not alone."
He already knew.
The bond pulsed
quiet, alert, ready.
Behind them
In the distance
A figure stood at the edge of the road.
Not moving.
Not hiding.
Just watching.
The heir's reach had arrived.