Chapter 29
The news of Draven’s missing body had spread through the camp like wildfire, igniting whispers of dread among the warriors. Victory had been within reach, and now it felt like sand slipping through their fingers.
Elara stood at the edge of the temple ruins, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The stars were scattered across the sky, indifferent to the turmoil unfolding below.
Leon approached, his steps deliberate yet silent. The flickering torchlight cast long shadows over his sharp features, his golden eyes filled with something unreadable.
“Still awake?” he asked, his voice lower than usual.
Elara exhaled slowly, crossing her arms over her chest. “How can I sleep knowing he’s still out there?”
Leon didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, close enough that the warmth of his presence was something tangible.
“You did everything you could,” he murmured.
Elara let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “Did I?”
Leon turned to face her fully, his expression unreadable. “You’re blaming yourself.”
A muscle in her jaw tightened. “Of course, I am.” She looked away, her fingers tightening around her arms. “I should have known he wouldn’t stay down.”
Leon studied her for a long moment before he did something unexpected.
He reached out and touched her wrist.
It was a light touch—barely there—but it sent a pulse of warmth through her skin.
“Elara,” he said, his voice softer this time. “You’re not alone in this.”
She swallowed, willing herself to look at him.
Leon had always been a warrior, always been strong, fierce, relentless. But there was something different about him now. Something unspoken.
And for the first time in a long time, Elara let herself believe him.
\---
**The Investigation Begins**
By morning, the camp had shifted into a state of wary anticipation.
Soren was the first to report back, his usual smirk nowhere to be seen. “No tracks. No sign of his body. It’s like he vanished into thin air.”
Elara’s stomach tightened. That wasn’t possible.
Leon stood beside her, his jaw clenched. “Then someone took him.”
Soren gave a half-hearted shrug, but his expression remained grim. “Maybe. Or maybe something else happened.”
Elara’s thoughts raced. Draven was powerful, but he wasn’t a ghost. Someone had either stolen his body or—
A chilling thought crept into her mind.
“What if he was never really dead?”
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Leon’s expression darkened. “You think he planned this?”
Elara clenched her fists. “I think we underestimated him.”
And that realization was more terrifying than anything else.
\---
**A New Threat**
As if on cue, a scout rushed into the camp, his face pale, his breaths ragged.
“My lady—” he gasped, dropping to one knee. “We have a problem.”
Elara’s chest tightened. “What is it?”
The scout swallowed hard. “There’s—there’s someone waiting beyond the ruins. They’re asking for you by name.”
A cold dread settled in her bones.
“Who?”
The scout hesitated. “A woman. Says she brings a message from Draven.”
Leon’s hand was on his sword before the words had fully left the scout’s mouth.
Elara forced herself to remain still. To think.
This could be a trap. No—this was a trap.
But there was only one way to find out what they were dealing with.
“Take me to her.”
\---
**The Stranger in the Fog**
The ruins stretched endlessly beyond the camp, swallowed by mist and early morning light. The air was thick with moisture, the scent of damp stone and earth clinging to everything.
And there, standing at the edge of a broken archway, was the woman.
She was tall, cloaked in deep gray fabric that billowed around her like shadows. Her hood obscured most of her face, but Elara could see the glint of sharp, silver eyes.
She didn’t move as Elara and Leon approached, but there was no mistaking the tension in her posture.
“Elara,” the woman said, her voice smooth, edged with something unnerving.
Elara’s fingers itched for her magic. “Who are you?”
The woman tilted her head, as if amused. “My name is Astra.”
Elara had never heard of her before.
“What do you want?”
Astra’s lips curled slightly. “I bring a message from Lord Draven.”
Elara’s stomach dropped.
Leon’s blade was at Astra’s throat before she could blink.
“Careful,” he said, his voice low, deadly. “Choose your next words wisely.”
Astra didn’t even flinch. If anything, she smiled.
“Oh, I will.” Her silver eyes gleamed. “Because you’re going to want to hear this.”
Elara didn’t move, but her mind was already racing.
Draven’s body was gone. Now, this?
Something was very, very wrong.
\---
**The Warning**
Astra’s voice was calm when she spoke, but the weight of her words cracked through the morning stillness like thunder.
“Draven is alive.”
The words slammed into Elara’s chest like a physical blow.
No.
It wasn’t possible.
They had seen him fall. They had felt the battle shift. They had won.
Hadn’t they?
Leon’s grip on his sword tightened. “You’re lying.”
Astra laughed softly. “Am I?”
Elara forced herself to breathe, to think.
“If he’s alive, where is he?” she demanded.
Astra’s smile widened. “Oh, he’ll find you soon enough.”
A muscle in Elara’s jaw twitched. “And why should I believe you?”
Astra stepped closer. “Because I’ve seen what’s coming. And if you’re not ready, you’re all going to die.”
Elara’s pulse thundered.
Leon’s gaze flicked to her, silent but sharp. Waiting.
Elara inhaled slowly, then exhaled. “What does he want?”
Astra’s expression darkened. “Vengeance.”
Leon moved instantly, grabbing Astra’s wrist before she could retreat. “Why help us?”
Astra’s silver eyes flickered. For the first time, she hesitated.
“Because,” she murmured, “Draven is stronger than before. And I don’t think you can stop him this time.”
The words were ice down Elara’s spine.
Leon must have sensed her hesitation because his hand brushed against hers, grounding her for just a moment.
She exhaled. Steeled herself.
Then, she looked Astra dead in the eye.
“Watch us.”
And for the first time, Astra’s smile disappeared.