The battle had ended, but the echoes of destruction lingered. The central square of Galud was silent, save for the faint whistle of the wind through the ruins. The oppressive energy that had once suffocated the town was gone, yet its absence felt hollow. Adrian Falter stood where Leonard Durk had fallen, the ashes of the corrupted baron scattered at his feet.
Adrian's breathing was shallow, his body trembling under the weight of exhaustion. His sword, battered and chipped, hung loosely in his hand. The emotional weight of Leonard's fall pressed on him even more than the physical toll.
He stared at the ashes, his voice breaking the silence. "I hope… you find peace in death, Leonard. Something you couldn't find in life."
The words were barely audible, a whisper carried away by the breeze. Adrian's knees buckled as the adrenaline ebbed, his vision narrowing. Darkness swam in the corners of his eyes, and he collapsed, his sword clattering to the ground.
"Adrian!"
Mohan's voice rang out, rough with urgency. The older man, battered and bruised, limped into the square with the rest of the team close behind. Kael's sharp eyes darted to every shadow, bow in hand, while Kiera muttered a quiet incantation, her druidic staff glowing faintly.
Seraphina rushed to Adrian's side, dropping to her knees. Her hands glowed with a soothing golden light as she assessed his injuries. "He's alive, but he's completely spent," she said, her tone tight with worry.
Kael kept his bow raised, his gaze sweeping the square. "Any chance something else is lurking around?"
"Not likely," Mohan replied, his gauntlets gleaming faintly as he moved to guard Seraphina and Adrian. "But let's not take chances. Leonard may be gone, but his corruption could've left remnants."
Kiera knelt by Adrian, adding her magic to Seraphina's. Vines sprouted from the cobblestones, forming a makeshift stretcher under his body. "We need to get him out of here," she said firmly. "This place reeks of death."
Kael nodded, lowering his bow but remaining on edge. "Agreed. The sooner we're gone, the better."
Together, the team lifted Adrian onto the stretcher and began the trek back to Arvendale. The streets of Galud were eerily silent, the twisted remnants of Leonard's rule fading into nothingness.
* * *
Adrian awoke to the soft hum of conversation and the faint scent of herbs. The room around him was simple, with sunlight filtering through a small window and a bedside table holding a pitcher of water.
"You're awake."
Adrian turned his head to see Mohan sitting in a chair beside the bed. The old man's face was lined with exhaustion, but his eyes held a rare softness. His gauntlets rested on the floor, their usual gleam dulled from the battle.
"How long…?" Adrian's voice cracked, his throat dry.
"Two days," Mohan said, handing him a cup of water. "You've been out cold since we dragged you back from Galud."
Adrian took the cup and sipped, the cool water soothing his parched throat. "Leonard…"
"Gone," Mohan replied simply. "You did it, Adrian. Galud is free."
Adrian let out a shaky breath, his thoughts returning to Leonard's final moments. "I didn't want it to end that way," he admitted.
Mohan's expression hardened, but his tone was understanding. "None of us did. But sometimes, there's no saving someone who's already lost themselves."
The door creaked open, and Seraphina entered, a small smile spreading across her face when she saw Adrian awake. "It's good to see you're back with us," she said warmly, setting her staff against the wall.
Kael followed, his bow slung over his shoulder, and Kiera brought a small tray of food. "You scared us," Kiera said, her tone light but concerned. "Try not to make a habit of it."
Adrian managed a faint smile. "I'll do my best."
As the team gathered around Adrian's bed, Mohan cleared his throat. "There's something you need to know," he said, his tone turning serious.
Adrian leaned back against the headboard, wincing at the ache in his body. "What is it?"
"Rowan sent a message," Mohan explained. "The emperor himself has summoned us to Ulcea City for a reward ceremony."
"A ceremony?" Adrian repeated, his brow furrowing. "Why?"
Kael crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. "Word's gotten out about what happened in Galud. The villagers, the knights who couldn't get through—they're all talking about us. The emperor sees this as an opportunity to strengthen morale and remind the people that the empire is still strong."
Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't do this for recognition. Leonard's fall… it didn't feel like a victory."
"It rarely does," Mohan said, his voice steady. "But the ceremony isn't about us. It's about the people. They need hope, and right now, we're the ones giving it to them."
* * *
The morning sun bathed Arvendale in golden light as the team prepared to depart. Villagers gathered in the square to see them off, their faces filled with gratitude.
"You've done more for us than we can ever repay," an elderly man said, his voice quivering with emotion. "Galud may never be the same, but you stopped the darkness from spreading. Thank you."
Adrian nodded, humbled by the man's words. He glanced at his teammates, their expressions a mixture of pride and quiet resolve.
Mohan stepped forward, his gauntlets polished and ready. "The road to Ulcea City is long, but we've faced worse. Let's move."
With a final wave to the villagers, the team set out.
* * *
The journey to Ulcea City was quiet, the team's spirits subdued by the weight of recent events. As they made camp one evening, the conversation turned to what awaited them.
"Do you think the emperor has more in mind than just a reward?" Kiera asked, her staff resting beside her as she poked the fire with a stick.
"Without a doubt," Mohan said. "Leonard was just one part of this war. The demons won't stop until we stop them, and the emperor knows that."
Seraphina sat beside Adrian, her gaze fixed on the flames. "Do you ever wonder if it'll be enough? Everything we've done—everything we've lost—do you think it'll actually change anything?"
Adrian hesitated, the question cutting deeper than he'd expected. He looked at his hands, the faint scars from battle a reminder of his journey. "I don't know," he admitted. "But if we don't try, then we've already lost."
Kael smirked from his perch on a nearby rock. "Spoken like a true leader."
Adrian gave a small laugh, shaking his head. "I'm just trying to keep up with all of you."
* * *
As the spires of Ulcea City came into view, the team's pace quickened. The capital was a stark contrast to Galud, its streets bustling with life and its walls pristine. The sight was a reminder of what they were fighting for—a world free from the corruption that had consumed Leonard Durk.
Adrian's heart felt heavy as they approached the gates, but Mohan's steady hand on his shoulder grounded him.
"This is just the beginning," Mohan said quietly. "The fight isn't over, Adrian. But for now, we take this moment. We've earned it."