"My son..."
The words lingered through the Hall of Memories long after they were spoken.
Salvador stood motionless.
His breathing became uneven as tears streamed silently down his face. For years he had dreamed of hearing that voice again. Sometimes he imagined it while staring at the stars. Sometimes he searched for it inside the strange visions that had haunted him since childhood.
Now...
It was real.
Ella tightened her grip on his hand.
"I'm here," she whispered gently, her own eyes glistening with tears.
Felix and Harvey remained respectfully behind them.
No one interrupted.
The crystal pulsed once.
Golden light gathered within it until it slowly formed the image of a man.
He wasn't flesh and blood.
He wasn't a ghost either.
He was made entirely of light.
Yet there was no mistaking who he was.
Broad shoulders.
Kind eyes.
A calm smile that carried both strength and gentleness.
King Alaric.
Salvador's father.
