The air in the knights academy was still, an uneasy quiet hanging over the land. The world felt different, as though it had shifted in the wake of the Dark Lord's disappearance. The fear that had once gripped the realm seemed to have receded, but an unsettling emptiness remained. Lysandra was gone, she was swallowed by the abyss, and with her, the promise of an end to the chaos that had consumed the kingdoms. But the silence was not a comfort. It was the silence of something waiting to break.Gideon stood at the edge of the academy grounds. He could feel the weight of the Shard of Dawn in his hand, though its light had dimmed in the days since the battle. It felt as though the sword’s power was fading, leaving him with a hollow sense of dread. And yet, that wasn’t what weighed on him most. The other nations, the ones already ravaged by the Dark Lord’s forces, kept him awake at night. He couldn’t shake the thought of those who had suffered, those who still needed help.“I should leave,

The air around them was heavy, the oppressive darkness clinging to their skin like a second shadow. Gideon stared at the figure before them, its form flickering like a flame caught in the wind. It was neither beast nor man, and the unnatural stillness it carried sent chills down his spine. The bracelet on Gideon’s wrist grew warm, its faint glow pulsing steadily. Whatever this creature was, it wasn’t of this world. Beside him, Seraphina tightened her grip on her sword, her knuckles white. “Gideon,” she said quietly, her voice laced with unease. “This isn’t just another minion of the Dark Lord.” “I know,” he replied, his gaze never leaving the figure. “Stay close.” Jareth snorted, stepping forward with his sword drawn. “Close? You’re supposed to be the chosen one. Shouldn’t you have a plan for this kind of thing?” “Not the time, Jareth,” Seraphina snapped, shooting him a glare. “Fine,” Jareth muttered, his eyes narrowing at the figure. “But if you freeze up, don’t expect me

The faint glow from the bracelet on Gideon’s wrist caught his attention as they left the inn. Its light pulsed gently at first, then grew stronger, like a heartbeat guiding him. Seraphina noticed it immediately, her eyes narrowing in curiosity.“It’s glowing again,” she murmured, brushing her hair back as she studied the bracelet.Jareth groaned, folding his arms. “Oh, great. The magical trinket’s at it again. You realize the last times it started glowing, we ended up knee-deep with a shadow monster.”“This isn’t about monsters,” Gideon replied, his voice firm. “It’s leading us somewhere. And I think it’s pointing us to whoever took our horses.”“That’s quite a leap,” Jareth retorted, eyeing the bracelet skeptically. “Maybe it just likes to glow whenever trouble’s nearby.”“You can stay here if you want,” Gideon said, already turning toward the direction the bracelet seemed to pull him. “But I’m following it.”Seraphina was at his side in an instant. “I trust you.”Jareth hesitated, f

The crisp morning air was laced with the scent of baking bread and damp earth as Gideon, Seraphina, and Jareth navigated the bustling northern city. The streets were alive again with merchants hawking their wares, children darting between carts, and travelers exchanging tales of distant lands. Yet, despite the liveliness, there was an undercurrent of tension that Gideon couldn’t ignore.“We’re wasting time,” Gideon muttered, his eyes scanning the crowd. His grip tightened on the hilt of his dragon sword, a habit born of unease.Seraphina, walking beside him, tried to ease his worry. “The city’s large, but someone must know where Kai is. We just need to keep asking.”Jareth chuckled darkly, his arms crossed. “If the kid’s smart, he’s already vanished. Thieves don’t stick around to be caught, especially not after selling stolen goods.”“We’ll find him,” Gideon said firmly, though his voice carried the weight of uncertainty.They stopped at a small vendor’s stall selling roasted nuts and

Gideon, Seraphina, Jareth, and Kai rode south along the winding dirt path. Gideon’s face was alight with a rare, genuine smile. His heart brimmed with joy, a warmth he hadn’t felt in what seemed like ages. The people of the northern kingdom had treated them with kindness and gratitude, offering them a grand feast and a hero's farewell after they defeated the demon giants. Even Kai, once despised by the townsfolk, was now a figure of admiration.Seraphina noticed Gideon’s uncharacteristic smile. She nudged her horse closer to his. “Alright, what’s got you grinning like that?”Gideon blinked, caught off guard. “What? I wasn’t—”“Oh, you were,” she teased. “Come on, out with it.”He chuckled, realizing how transparent he must have been. “I guess… it’s just nice to be appreciated for once. The way they treated us it reminded me of what we’re fighting for.”Seraphina smiled softly but didn’t press further.Kai, riding a little ahead, glanced back at them. His excitement was palpable. “Thi