Night came to Elarion quietly.
The city was beautiful with spirit lanterns floating between the branches of the trees.
These lanterns looked like stars as they cast a soft light across the palace.
Ronan was not at peace as he stood alone on a balcony. He looked out over the city. The city was glowing beneath him.
He was silent and still. His thoughts would not settle down.
The city had welcomed Ronan warmly yet he felt like something was not right.
Every smile he saw in Sylvaris reminded him of something.
Every familiar face reminded him of something that might lost long ago. He was losing his memory.
Then he heard footsteps. Queen Aelira came onto the balcony beside him. They did not talk for a while. They just watched the spirit lights floating across the sky.
The Queen Aelira said "You used to come here often Ronan."
Ronan looked at her "Did I?" he said.
The Queen looked at him briefly "You really do not remember?" she said.
Her words contain sadness but a feeling of consideration as she doesn't judge his condition.
Ronan leaned against the balcony rail "You know some memories did come back to me…"
He paused "But most things do not." he said.
The Queen was quiet for a moment "The Elves always thought something happened after the Demon Lord was defeated and some brought me information that you stayed here after Valtheris announced your death at the Demon Lord's Domain." she said.
Ronans face darkened "But they could not prove that I died they just use my name to encourage the people of my nation that I sacrificed my life for what, for domination, for controlling all nation, to instill fear to the hearts of every people that they can't control."
The Queen said, "There were many things that did not add up until this moment, it's just we don't know what to do at that time and the more they gain power, we can't do anything to stop them."
Ronan's body was never found.
His old comrades gain status from Ronan's achievements as they are part of his Adventures.
Then Lyra sent a warning to the Elven Kingdom.
Ronan froze as he had not heard Lyra's name in a long time.
"Lyra did contacted us years ago." Queen Aelira said.
"Lyra?" Ronan said.
The Queen nodded slowly.
Ronan's memories started to come as he saw a battlefield covered in ash.
He saw a light. He heard a woman crying. He heard a voice shouting his name. He felt pain.
Then he saw a blade. He saw blood spreading across the ground.
Ronan grabbed the balcony railing tightly. His breathing was uneven.
"Ronan!" Queen Aelira said.
Then poof, his memories were gone. They slipped away like sand.
Ronan lowered his head. "Damn it." he said.
Queen Aelira's face has softened. "You remembered something?" she said.
"For a while, but not enough." Ronan said.
Every memory that came back was incomplete.
It was broken and every time he tried to remember the memories won't come back.
The Queen looked at the palace doors. "Come, she is waiting." she said.
"Who?" Ronan said.
Queen Aelira did not answer.
The doors opened as Priestess Mirelle came in quietly. She carried glowing spirit stones. Her face was serious. "I need to examine your curse closely." she said.
Ronan frowned. "That sounds unpleasant." he said.
Mirelle smiled faintly "It probably will be if you will be stubborn." she said.
They went to a chamber beneath the palace.
Spirit circles glowed on the floor.
Ancient runes lined the walls.
Mirelle put her hands above Ronan's Holy Crest.
Darkness spread beneath the symbol. It was alive. It was hateful.
Everyone in the room felt it.
Queen Aelira's face has hardened.
Mirelle's eyes widened. "It has fused with something." she said.
Ronan looked at her calmly. "What does that even mean?" he said.
Mirelle hesitated. "The Demon Lord's curse is not directly pointed to you, Ronan..." She paused. "It has become part of the Holy Crest itself." she said.
The room went silent.
Ronan stared at the Crest on his hand. He saw it differently now. It was not power anymore. It was his prison.
Then they heard footsteps outside the room. The doors burst open.
An Elven messenger came in breathing heavily.
He said, "Your Majesty, Valtheris has begun to prepare to go to war against Kaelmyra."
The room became cold.
The drums of war had already started.