An oppressive silence filled the stone hall. Fody, who stood nervously by the door, seemed to shrink into himself, caught between his formidable Lord and the impossibly powerful human.
Damien's stance looked like he was ready to unleash devastating force at a moment's notice.
Adrian, however, remained perfectly still. He did not flinch nor even shift his stance. His calm, unbothered presence in the face of such naked aggression was a display of power all its own, and it was enough to give even the proud Dwarven Lord a moment of pause.
"You are correct," Adrian said in a clear voice that cut through the tension. "I am not Theron." He let the statement hang in the air for a beat before continuing. "King Theron is dead. I killed him. I am Adrian, and I am the new King of Zarion."
Damien's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he let out a short, booming laugh that was completely devoid of humor.
