Ethan reappeared just outside the walls of his territory in a blink. His wings folded behind his back, still glimmering faintly with residual energy from the Tower. His boots landed softly on the earth, and for a brief moment, he simply stood there, observing.
Everything felt... distant.
It wasn't the same place he had left behind. Not entirely.
His city, his people, had grown.
The walls were reinforced, not with stone but with a glimmering alloy. Magic runes pulsed faintly beneath the outer layers. Guard posts had doubled in number. Mana lamps illuminated watch towers that didn't exist before.
Suddenly, there were shouts.
The guards at the gates froze for a moment before one dropped his spear entirely. "LORD ETHAN!" he cried, his voice cracking with disbelief.
Within seconds, a commotion broke through the gates like a wave crashing onto a cliff. People came pouring out. Familiar faces. Loyal ones.
