The moment Flynn and Elior returned to Winterbell's royal palace, the wind that greeted them carried more than just cold it carried tension. Whispers from the court reached them long before the throne room did. Something was stirring.
Flynn's return was quiet, deliberate. He had no intention of drawing attention, especially with the recent discovery of Seren's presence. Though unseen by anyone else, Seren's occasional glimmers reflections in mirrors, flickers behind Flynn's shoulder were reminders of who he used to be, and the truth only he could carry. Caelan had not disappeared; he had been reborn.
Elior, ever perceptive, noticed how distant Flynn had become during their journey back. He didn't ask why. He simply walked beside him, offering silence when words would've been too much.
In the halls of the palace, news awaited.
A messenger bowed deeply. "Your Highness, Duke Khalid has returned from the northern border. He requests a private audience."
Flynn's breath caught not from fear, but something colder. He glanced at Elior, who nodded but did not follow. This was a conversation Flynn had to endure alone.
---
The room where they met was draped in blue velvet and silver-threaded banners. Winterbell colors. Khalid stood near the arched window, bathed in late afternoon light. His posture was straight, hands folded behind him, dark hair brushing his collar.
When he turned, Flynn saw it the same golden eyes that had once looked down on Caelan as a blade pierced his chest.
But Khalid did not see Caelan now. Only Prince Flynn.
"Your Highness," Khalid greeted, bowing. "The borders are quiet for now. But there's movement in the east someone is gathering soldiers in secret."
Flynn stepped closer, his voice steady. "Do we know who leads them?"
Khalid's expression darkened. "Not yet. But I suspect remnants of Elaris still breathe. There's a name whispered among the deserters."
He paused.
"Seren."
Flynn's blood froze.
Khalid continued, "He was once a tactician under Elaris's military command, wasn't he? A shadow to General Caelan. He vanished after the fall."
Flynn's lips tightened. "Yes. Vanished."
Khalid studied Flynn for a long moment. "You seem... troubled."
"I'm not," Flynn lied. "If Elaris remnants return, we'll be ready."
But Flynn's thoughts churned. Khalid didn't recognize Seren's name as anything more than an old enemy. And yet, Seren his past self's most loyal aide was hiding in his shadow.
Was Seren acting of his own will now? Or was this part of a larger game, one that Caelan himself had once tried to unravel?
---
That night, Flynn returned to his quarters alone. He locked the door, lit a single candle, and whispered into the flickering dark.
"Seren... you're watching, aren't you?"
The shadows moved. A shimmer in the mirror.
"Yes, Your Highness," came the voice only he could hear. "They're all moving. Elaris's bones have not yet turned to dust. The past is rising."
Flynn stared at his own reflection, behind which Seren's form barely materialized just the glint of his eyes.
"Then we'll meet them," Flynn murmured. "And we'll end this. On our terms."