The wind blew softly over the hills east of the Witch Kingdom.
The tall grass danced under the touch of twilight, and the distant sound of the stream meandered among the stones, bringing an almost ethereal calm.
Kael lay in the shade of an ancient tree—one of the last that grew outside the magic circle that protected the main territory.
Above him, the sky was tinged with gold and violet. The clouds moved slowly, reflecting the light like crystal veils.
He breathed deeply. His body, finally, rested.
Muscles relaxed, thoughts scattered.
But his mind... that never stopped.
From the top of that hill, one could see the entire Witch Kingdom. The crystal towers that reflected the moonlight even under the sun, the floating gardens, the golden paths of mana that crossed the valleys.
It was a magnificent sight—a reminder that the world still held beauty, even after the destruction, even after the bloodshed.
Kael rested one arm behind his head, looking at the horizon.
