Chapter 4: Signs of Death

Dawn never touches the land of Nyxterra. This realm lives in eternal shadow, beneath a violet sky that hangs like an unhealed wound. But for Kalea Virein, it was home.
The Queen of Sorrow sat in the silence of her throne, accompanied by the scent of purple incense and the ticking sound of an hourglass pouring black crystal dust. The dark aura that cloaked her pulsed continuously, resonating with the souls that now lived within her.
But today, even the shadows trembled.

---
"Your Majesty, a report has arrived from the Ancient Gate," said General Vorthas, his voice deep and firm.
Kalea slowly opened her glowing violet eyes, piercing into Vorthas as if seeing through his bones.
"Someone dared trespass into my domain?"
Vorthas nodded. "Yes. They call themselves the Sun Paladins. Led by someone who... spoke your name."
"My name?"
"Yes. They called you 'the Weeping Fox'. Their leader claims to have known you. From the old world."
A thin smile curled on Kalea’s lips. "Interesting."
She descended from her throne, her steps light yet trembling the ground. Every tile of the palace seemed alive as she passed, reacting to her presence.
"Elsera," she called.
From behind a shadowed pillar, the silent priestess emerged.
"Prepare the Mirror of Memory. I want to see the face that dared to speak my name."

---
The Mirror of Memory was an ancient magical artifact usable only by beings of high essence. As Kalea touched its surface, violet mist swirled, revealing images of the upper world.
The City of Light. The Solvane Kingdom. The sun blazed brightly, in stark contrast to Nyxterra.
And in the center of the training yard stood a young man. Shoulder-length black hair, dim golden eyes, and the aura of a knight—calm, but carrying silent vengeance.
Kalea froze.
"Eiran Velcroft," she whispered.
A name she'd long buried. The boy who stayed silent while she was bullied. Who watched, but never acted.
Now, he was here. Bearing a sword and the banner of justice.

---
Meanwhile, in Solvane, Eiran looked to the sky. A tension gnawed at his thoughts.
"She has returned," he murmured.
A woman stood beside him, dressed in royal mage attire. "Are you certain she’s... the same person?"
Eiran stared at his reflection in his blade.
"I could never forget. She's not just legend. She's my past. Angeline."

---
In the following days, Nyxterra’s forces moved. Kalea dispatched her Veilguard across the dark realm. They weren’t just gathering intelligence—they were spreading fear.
But something was shifting.
Kalea began to dream.
Dreams of school halls. Of laughter. Of smiles.
And of a little girl hugging herself in the rain.
She woke up on the third night, tears in her eyes.
"I am no longer Angeline," she whispered.
Yet her heart still carried the girl’s pain.

---
The next day, Kalea summoned Elsera, Vorthas, and the Veilguard leaders.
"I will go myself. If Eiran wishes to meet me—then I shall set the stage."
"Your Majesty, it’s too dangerous," said Vorthas. "The upper world is not ready—"
"I don’t care about their readiness," Kalea interrupted. "I want to see his eyes when he realizes I’m no longer the girl he left behind."

---
Kalea donned the highest obsidian robe, embroidered with strands of soul magic and poison. Her crown was not gold, but made from phoenix bones that failed to rise.
Using ancient teleportation magic, she stepped into a neutral land between realms. A ruined temple stood as their meeting ground.
And there...
Eiran was already waiting.
No words.
Only two souls who knew each other—who remembered unspoken sins.

---
"Why did you come?" Kalea asked.
"To redeem myself."
Kalea chuckled softly, but her eyes shimmered.
"Too late, Eiran. I’ve changed the world. I’m no longer human."
"I know. But I won’t lose you a second time."
Silence hung in the air.
"So what will you do? Kill me?" Kalea challenged.
"If it’s the only way to save you from yourself... perhaps."
Kalea stepped closer. Their faces just inches apart.
"But I’m already dead, Eiran. What you see now... is just the echo of revenge."
They stared into each other’s eyes.
For a moment, the world held its breath.
And then—it rained.

---
That meeting sparked no war. But it brought no peace either.
Eiran returned with a wound on his arm and a new resolve in his heart.
Kalea returned with a heavier heart than before.
In her chamber, she gazed into the mirror.
And for the first time... she saw Angeline.
Crying.
But not out of fear.
Because she could still love.
And love—for the Queen of Sorrow—was the final weakness.