The journey back from the ruins was quiet.
Flynn sat atop his white steed, the wind brushing through his pale hair as the banners of Winterbell came into view over the horizon. Beside him rode Elior, ever watchful, his sharp violet eyes scanning the road ahead.
They had uncovered more than stone and silence in Elaris. Though Elior hadn't seen him, Flynn's thoughts lingered on Seren his sudden, secret reappearance burned into memory. Flynn kept the emblem hidden, his fingers brushing it inside his cloak like a secret flame.
"Are you certain we shouldn't report what we saw?" Elior asked, his voice soft as they passed the outer gates.
Flynn didn't answer at first. Then:
"Not yet."
Elior looked at him, but said nothing more. He trusted Flynn even if he didn't understand him.
As they crossed through the castle gates of Winterbell, servants rushed to greet them, and officials bowed low. But Flynn's gaze was already locked ahead toward the grand steps of the royal hall, where a familiar figure awaited.
Clad in black and gold, Duke Khalid stood still, his posture perfect, expression unreadable. His golden eyes met Flynn's across the courtyard calm, unshaken, and yet… searching.
Flynn dismounted, cloak fluttering behind him as he approached the duke. The air between them tightened like a drawn bowstring.
"My prince," Khalid said smoothly, bowing low. "You return sooner than expected."
"We found little worth staying for," Flynn replied, his voice level. "Though the ruins still whisper."
Khalid's lips curled faintly, as if amused. "Ruins often do. But it is the living who make history."
Flynn's gaze narrowed. "And those who rewrite it?"
For a heartbeat, silence reigned.
Khalid looked at him really looked and something behind his golden eyes flickered. A calculation. A memory, perhaps. But if he suspected anything… he didn't show it.
"I serve as I must," Khalid said calmly. "My loyalty lies with Winterbell."
Flynn stepped closer, his voice dropping low enough that only the duke could hear.
"Loyalty is proven not in words, but in what we choose to destroy… and what we protect."
For the first time, something shifted in Khalid's expression a breath of tension behind the mask. But he quickly recovered, giving a graceful nod.
"Then I trust you'll watch me closely, Your Highness."
"I already do," Flynn whispered.
Khalid bowed once more and turned away, disappearing into the stone halls.
Flynn stood still, his face cold and unreadable, but deep inside where Caelan's memories twisted and simmered he could still feel the weight of Khalid's blade, the betrayal buried beneath five years of silence.
He clenched his fist.
Soon.
Not yet.
But soon.