The night settled over Aetheris, its streets bathed in the soft glow of lanterns. The city, though still bearing the scars of recent conflicts, seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. The victory over Valerian had brought a temporary peace, but under the surface, tensions simmered.
Alaric lay in his quarters, staring at the ceiling, his mind unable to rest. The weight of their recent battles, the uncertainties of the future, and Adrian's troubling revelation all churned in his thoughts. The letter Adrian had received, with its cryptic message, gnawed at him. Who could have sent it, and what truth did it hint at?
He rose from his bed, unable to sleep. The cool night air beckoned, and he decided to take a walk to clear his mind. The corridors of the citadel were quiet, the echoes of his footsteps the only sound. As he wandered through the halls, he found himself drawn to the small garden where he and Adrian had spoken earlier.
