As word spread of Aradon's disappearance, the kingdoms that had once cowered in his shadow stirred once more.
Avirinth, Galdoria, and Velkar—once shattered by his monsters—began to rebuild. They sent scouts into Vaeloria's lands, testing the waters, searching for a sign that the nightmare was truly over.
But even in his absence, fear lingered.
Merchants refused to travel through Vaelorian borders. Soldiers hesitated at the mere whisper of his name. Nobles spoke in hushed voices, terrified that merely uttering "Aradon" would call him back from the abyss.
And then—strange events began.
A scout from Velkar vanished near the ruins of Aradon's fortress. His unit searched for him for three days. On the fourth, they found him hanging from a tree—his face frozen in terror, his eyes burned out of their sockets.
A noble in Galdoria, one who had spoken of taking Vaeloria for himself, was found dead in his chamber, his body mutilated beyond recognition. His blood had been used to scrawl one name onto the walls:
ARADON.
The people whispered.
He was returning.