Recap:
After sparing his brother Riven, Kael meets Serath of the Hollow Court, who reveals a deeper conspiracy—the gods have rewritten history, erasing Kael's bloodline from existence. A memory shard from his mother confirms it. Now, Kael prepares to journey to Astraelis, the divine capital, to uncover the forbidden truths. But as he moves forward, memories of a love once lost begin to resurface…
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The path to Astraelis was veiled in snow and silence.
Kael walked beside Serath through the frozen highlands of Myrvel Reach, their breaths misting in the air. The wind cut like knives, but Kael's thoughts cut deeper.
He held the memory shard tightly.
His mother's voice echoed still in his mind, warm and resolute.
"The world will lie to you, Kael. But love… love remembers even when history forgets."
He didn't understand it then.
But he was starting to now.
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Far ahead, Serath's masked face turned slightly.
"You're troubled."
Kael didn't answer right away.
"She… meant something to me. Someone before the purge. But I can't remember her name."
Serath gave a soft hum. "That is the mark of divine tampering. The Lightbound didn't just erase people—they cut memories from the soul itself."
Kael clenched his fist. "I want them back."
"You will." Serath's voice sharpened. "But remember—those memories may not come gently. And those you find… may not be waiting for you as you remember them."
Kael stopped walking.
He stared across the valley where Astraelis glimmered faintly in the distance like a cold star.
"…Who is she now?" he whispered.
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Astraelis, Divine Capital
In the tallest spire of the Celestial Academy, she stood before a mirror—her silver hair braided in ceremonial threads, her pale skin marked with sigils of obedience.
Lady Elira Valess.
High Seer.
And Kael Ardyn's once-betrothed.
She had long since buried the boy she once loved, forced into divine service after his family's fall.
But now… something stirred.
A name—his name—had appeared in the Forbidden Tome three nights ago. And since then, dreams had haunted her.
A boy with eclipse-fire in his eyes.
A promise whispered beneath a moonless sky.
"Even if they burn us to ash, I will return to you."
Elira's fingers trembled as she touched the mirror.
"I was told you were dead, Kael," she whispered.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"But if you're alive… then everything they taught me is a lie."
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Elsewhere – Aboard the Hollow Courier
Kael sat silently in the dim cabin of the floating skiff Serath summoned from shadow. Wind whipped past them, and the towers of Astraelis grew ever closer.
He couldn't sleep.
The closer they came, the more his soul stirred—like something ancient inside him clawed to rise.
Suddenly, a vision struck.
He stood in a garden of red blossoms.
A girl was laughing—silver hair like starlight, spinning in slow circles, hand reaching for him.
"Promise me," she said. "Even if they take everything—come back for me."
His heart thundered.
"Elira…"
The name came without effort this time.
It was hers.
His.
Theirs.
Serath watched from the helm, voice quiet. "So… the memory bleeds through."
Kael nodded slowly.
"I'm going to burn their empire to the ground," he said. "But first… I'll find her."
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Next Chapter: Wings of the Forgotten
Kael and Serath infiltrate Astraelis, using shadow veils and false identities. But within the divine walls, Kael finds a secret cult worshipping the "Lost Sovereign"... and Elira is being hunted for a prophecy she unknowingly carries in her blood.
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