The slums were quiet in the pale light of dawn, the jagged ruins casting long shadows across the dirt paths. Kael walked with purpose, his Shadowfang Pup trotting at his side, its dark fur blending into the gloom. The pup's red eyes flicked back and forth, constantly scanning their surroundings.
Kael's grip on his satchel tightened as they approached a familiar, overgrown path. It twisted away from the main streets, winding through a cluster of abandoned shacks and debris. Few people came this way anymore. Most didn't even remember what lay at the end of the trail.
But Kael did.
The graveyard came into view, a forgotten plot of land bordered by a sagging iron fence. Weeds and wildflowers tangled around crooked markers, some barely visible beneath layers of dirt and neglect.
Kael stepped inside, his boots crunching against brittle leaves. He didn't need to search—his feet carried him to the spot automatically.
There it was. A simple stone, worn and weathered by time, half-buried in the dirt. Kael knelt, his fingers brushing away the grime to reveal the faintly etched name:
Mira Valen.
Kael's throat tightened. "Hey, Mom," he murmured, his voice low.
The Shadowfang Pup sat a few feet away, its ears twitching as it watched him curiously.
Kael sighed, resting his hands on his knees as he stared at the marker. "I know it's been a while. I haven't exactly had the time to stop by."
He fell silent, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. Memories began to surface—his mother's voice, her laughter, the way she'd always ruffled his hair no matter how much he protested.
"You were strong," Kael said softly. "Stronger than anyone gave you credit for."
He traced the edge of the marker with his fingers, his voice thick with emotion. "You kept me alive when no one else would. You faced down gangs, hunger, sickness… and somehow, you made it seem like we'd be okay. Like we'd make it through."
A bitter smile tugged at his lips. "But I didn't save you when it mattered. Did I?"
The memory of his mother's final days hit him like a blade. She'd been so pale, her body wracked with fever, and Kael had been powerless to help. Medicine cost more than a lifetime's worth of scavenging could buy, and the slums didn't forgive weakness.
"I hated it," Kael whispered. "Watching you slip away, knowing I couldn't do anything. I swore I'd never feel that helpless again."
He clenched his fists, the knuckles whitening. "That's why I'm doing this. The system, the fights, all of it. I'm going to be stronger, Mom. Strong enough that no one can take anything from me again."
The pup let out a soft whine, nudging Kael's shoulder with its nose. He glanced at it, his expression softening.
"Don't worry," he said, scratching the pup's head. "I'm not losing it."
The pup wagged its tail, sitting back on its haunches as Kael turned back to the grave.
"You always talked about a place," Kael murmured. "Somewhere safe. Somewhere people didn't have to fight to live. You wanted to get us out of here, to somewhere better."
He stood slowly, brushing dirt from his hands. The Shadowfang Pup followed, padding silently at his side.
Kael's gaze swept over the graveyard, his jaw tightening. "I couldn't save you, but maybe I can save someone else."
The pup barked softly, its ears twitching. Kael glanced down at it, the flicker of an idea taking root in his mind.
"A place where people don't have to watch the ones they love die," he said. "Where they can live without fear. That's what you wanted, isn't it?"
Kael's voice grew steadier, the bitterness giving way to resolve. "I'll build it. I don't care how long it takes. I'll make it happen."
The pup let out a low growl, its tail wagging as though it understood his words.
Kael turned back to the grave, his hand resting lightly on the marker. "Thank you," he said quietly. "For everything. I'll make you proud, Mom. I promise."
The wind stirred, rustling the overgrown grass as Kael and the pup left the graveyard behind. But this time, Kael didn't feel the weight of guilt dragging him down.
He felt something else—purpose.
As he walked toward the slums, his mind raced with possibilities. He didn't know where to start or how to make it happen, but one thing was certain.
He would build a place where no one else had to suffer like his mother had.
And nothing was going to stop him.