The silence in the sanctuary was heavy, pressing against Selene's chest like an unseen weight.
She ran her fingers along the worn carvings of the past, tracing the edges of a once-great kingdom now reduced to whispers in the dark. Survivors were still out there. Hidden. Scattered. But waiting—for her.
She exhaled slowly. What am I supposed to do?
The warrior—her guardian, or perhaps her jailer—stood patiently, watching her. "You are the last true heir. The kingdom cannot rise without you."
Orion shifted beside her. His expression was unreadable, but his stance was tense. He didn't like this.
Cassius let out a low whistle. "So, what? We just walk up to these survivors, say 'Hey, surprise! Your queen's back!' and expect them to rally?" He shook his head. "I'm gonna go ahead and guess it's not that simple."
The warrior's gaze didn't waver. "No. It is not."
Selene clenched her fists. "Where are they?"
The warrior hesitated, then turned to the largest carving on the far wall. It depicted a city, its towers stretching toward the sky beneath two luminous moons. But what stood out most was the marking just beneath it—one she recognized from her dreams.
Orion's eyes narrowed. "I know that symbol."
Selene's heart pounded. "Where?"
There was a long pause. Then, quietly, Orion said, "In the ruins beyond the eastern cliffs."
Cassius let out a groan. "Of course it's the cliffs. It's always the cliffs."
Selene barely heard them. Her mind was racing. If Orion was right, then the remnants of her people—of her kingdom—were closer than she had imagined.
But if she had found them… then the Order could, too.
She turned sharply to the warrior. "Have they been attacked?"
His expression darkened. "Not yet. But the Order grows restless."
Selene swallowed hard. If the Order suspected anything—if they even thought survivors remained—they would strike without hesitation.
She had seen what they were capable of.
She wouldn't let them do it again.
Selene turned to Orion and Cassius. "We need to go. Now."
Cassius blinked. "I was afraid you'd say that."
Orion studied her carefully. "Selene—are you sure?"
She wasn't.
But that didn't matter.
For the first time in her life, she wasn't just running from the Order. She was choosing to fight.
Selene met Orion's gaze. "If the Order finds them before we do, there won't be anyone left to fight for."
Orion was silent for a long moment. Then he nodded. "Then we move at first light."
The warrior stepped forward. "I will guide you."
Cassius threw his hands up. "Great. Another death march."
Selene ignored him.
Her mind was already ahead—on the ruins, on the people waiting in the shadows, on the storm that was inevitably coming.
She didn't know if she was ready.
But she did know one thing.
She wouldn't let history repeat itself.