The last light of the setting sun drenched Solhaven in gold and crimson hues. The fortress city seemed unmoved by the gathering threat outside its walls, but Ryu could feel the undertone of tension. The steady beat of footfalls on stone echoed distantly as soldiers paced along the battlements, speaking in low tones, moving with sharp precision. Solhaven was ready for war, and yet Ryu couldn't help but feel that it was not ready for this war.
Kaelith's words lingered in his mind: You're not in this alone.
He let out a slow breath and turned back toward the keep. The group had reconvened in a modest room on the second floor—a temporary respite arranged by Commander Halric. Draven sat in the corner, sharpening his axe with an almost meditative focus. Aris leaned against the far wall, fiddling with her daggers, her restless energy barely contained. Kaelith was sitting at the small desk, studying a map of the region, her silver hair catching the flickering candlelight.
