The sun hadn't risen yet, but the winds over WindVeil carried the scent of smoke. Dust drifted through the narrow streets, and a heavy stillness settled over the village — the kind that always came before a storm.
From the northern ridge, a lone figure stood at the head of a makeshift army.
Astrid, her crimson cloak whipping in the wind, stared down at the village with icy focus. Behind her loomed a force of hardened men and women — bandits, deserters, mercenaries — all bloodied by violence and bound by fear of her.
She had broken them once. They wouldn't dare disobey again.
At her side, the Scale pulsed faintly, a deep, throbbing heat that called her forward.
Somewhere down there, in that quiet, unsuspecting village… Zane had passed through.
She had followed every whisper. Every trail. Every trace of his power.
And now she had found his last known destination.
---
Within WindVeil – The Duke Reacts
Atop the stone walls of WindVeil, the Duke stood grimly, his arms behind his back, his sharp eyes scanning the ridge.
He saw the red cloak. The spears. The banners that didn't belong to any kingdom.
"Mercenaries?" one guard muttered.
"No," the Duke said darkly. "She leads them. And she's not here for coin."
The wind shifted, and the Duke turned to his soldiers.
> "Seal the gates. Get everyone into the inner quarters. Sound the alarm. We are at war."
The command struck like thunder. Guards raced down the walls, bells rang, and WindVeil erupted into motion.
Shops were shuttered. Mothers gathered children. Streets cleared. Soldiers took their posts with shields in hand.
---
Sera Watches from the Wall
Sera stood near her father, clutching her bow tightly, eyes locked on the strange figure in red.
"She's… leading them?" she whispered.
The girl on the ridge looked too young to command an army. Too calm.
"Who is she?" Sera asked.
The Duke didn't answer. His eyes narrowed.
"Someone dangerous," he finally said.
---
At the Ridge – The Calm Before Fire
Astrid watched the gates shut.
Good. They knew fear.
The Scale at her side pulsed again — and this time, she knew.
> He's close.
With a cold breath, she turned to her men.
> "Surround the fields. Watch every gate. No one leaves."
> "If they try to protect him… then they'll burn with him."
The bandits moved like shadows down the slope.
Astrid raised her spear and pointed it directly at WindVeil.
> "Zane," she murmured, voice just loud enough to carry in the wind.
> "Come out."
> "Before everything you touched turns to ash.