The figure stopped a short distance away.
Close enough to see his face.
Far enough to feel his presence pressing down on the road.
He wore dark armor marked with the Empire's crest.
Not polished.
Not decorated.
Used.
Lira felt her chest tighten.
"Kael… he feels heavy."
Kael felt it too.
Not magic.
Not fear.
Authority.
The man spoke first.
"Turn back."
His voice was calm.
Certain.
The Seer stepped forward slightly.
"You speak for the heir?"
The man nodded once.
"I am his blade."
Lira swallowed.
"Is he here?"
The man shook his head.
"No.
I am enough."
Kael's grip on Lira's hand tightened.
He believes it.
The man's eyes moved to Kael.
"You lost your voice," he said.
"Interesting choice."
Lira felt anger spark inside her.
"He chose us," she said sharply.
The man looked at her for the first time.
"And that is why you will fall."
The bond reacted instantly
sharp, defensive.
The Seer raised a hand.
"This is not a fight you want," he warned.
The man tilted his head.
"I was ordered to stop you.
Not to negotiate."
The wind rose suddenly, pulling at cloaks and hair.
Thunder rolled closer now.
Lira's heart raced.
She felt Kael's focus narrow.
Stay behind me.
She shook her head slightly.
No. Not this time.
He felt her resolve and didn't argue.
The man reached for his weapon.
Not fast.
Not slow.
Certain.
The Seer spoke quickly.
"Kael. This champion draws strength from command.
If you hesitate—he wins."
Kael stepped forward.
The bond pulsed.
Not wild.
Not loud.
Steady.
The man's eyes narrowed.
"You've changed," he said.
"Good. It will make this worth remembering."
He drew his blade.
The moment steel cleared its sheath
The storm broke.
Rain poured down hard, drenching the road.
Lira felt the bond flare.
Kael moved.
No shout.
No signal.
Just action.
Shadow and light surged together as they closed the distance.
The champion met him head-on.
Steel clashed
Hard.
The sound echoed against the Black Ridge.
Lira raised her hands, light forming instinctively.
The Seer stepped back, eyes sharp.
This wasn't a test.
This was the heir's answer.
And it had just begun.