The throne room of Vaeloria stood empty.
For decades, Aradon the Dark had ruled as an unchallenged tyrant, feared by kings and gods alike. His monsters patrolled the ruined kingdoms, his name whispered in terror. But now—he was gone.
Selene Noctara stood before his throne, her crimson eyes unblinking. The air was thick with the remnants of his power, lingering like an afterimage in the darkened halls. The creatures he had once controlled were now hers—but they did not kneel.
Something in them had changed.
They sensed his absence. And they did not accept it.
Though she was the Queen of Shadows, though she had prepared for this moment for years, she could not shake the unease creeping into her veins.
Something was wrong.
For even in his death—Aradon was not truly gone.