The days after the dawn of peace swept over Valtoria passed in a blur of activity. The kingdom's people, freed from the looming shadow of the void, set to work with a renewed sense of purpose. Farmers returned to their fields, merchants reopened their shops, and children's laughter echoed through the streets. It was a time of healing, a time to reclaim lives interrupted by darkness.
Kael had stayed in Valtoria for a few days longer than planned, overseeing the early stages of rebuilding. As much as he trusted his friends to lead their parts, he felt a duty to ensure the city's heart was beating strong again. He spent his days walking through the streets, speaking with villagers and laborers, taking note of every worry, every need. And each night, he returned to the citadel with a sense of peace that was unfamiliar yet comforting.
But peace was fragile, and Kael knew better than anyone that the echoes of darkness were not so easily erased.
