The stone-paved path leading to Winterbell's inner courtyard echoed with the sound of bootsteps as Flynn returned, his cloak damp with mountain mist. Beside him, Elior remained silent, his presence a quiet comfort eyes always scanning, always watching.
They had crossed the border before dawn, slipping back into the capital under the cover of fog. Their journey from the ruins had been swift but heavy with tension. Flynn's mind replayed Seren's words endlessly. The man had changed but not his eyes. Those silver eyes still burned with the past.
In Flynn's chamber, Elior finally broke the silence.
"Flynn... That name. Seren. It sounded familiar."
Flynn froze, fingers lingering on the straps of his travel cloak. "…You've heard it before?"
Elior nodded, lowering his voice. "Years ago. When I was a representative during the fragile armistice with Elaris… I was just a young viscount, sent more to observe than speak. But I remember him."
Flynn turned to face him, guarded.
"He wasn't a noble, but he stood like one," Elior continued, gaze distant. "He was always beside General Caelan. Quiet. Unmoving. There was something… cold in him. But not cruel. Like he lived only to protect someone."
"He served Caelan," Flynn said quietly.
Elior gave a slow nod. "I thought he died when the kingdom fell."
There was silence again, but Flynn's thoughts raced. Elior remembered Seren. Remembered the knight who bled for him when he was Caelan. But he didn't know Flynn was that same boy from Elaris. That same betrayed soul.
I cannot let you remember me like that, Flynn thought.
The flicker of pain in Flynn's eyes didn't go unnoticed, but Elior chose not to push. Instead, he offered a soft smile.
"Whoever he is now… If he's returned, he must have his reasons. But Flynn if he ever threatens you…"
Flynn smiled faintly. "He won't. I know him better than anyone."
Outside the window, snow began to fall soft and slow like ash from the past gently blanketing the present. Somewhere in the city, Seren moved like a shadow, waiting for the next spark to reignite the truth.