**Chapter 33: The First Night in Eldrin**

**Chapter 33: The First Night in Eldrin**

The group hesitated at the city's entrance, their eyes wide with awe and disbelief. The golden flames lining the streets cast long shadows across the towering structures, illuminating the ancient stonework with a warmth none of them had ever known. Some whispered prayers, others simply stared, as if fearing Eldrin might vanish the moment they blinked.

Jack stepped forward, turning back to face them. "It's real," he said. "And it's waiting for you."

Marik was the first to move. He strode past Jack, his rusted spear clutched tightly in his hands, and stepped through the massive gateway. His footsteps echoed against the stone as he entered the city. Slowly, the others followed, their expressions shifting from doubt to cautious hope.

Shadow padded beside Jack, his ears pricked forward, his body tense. Even with the fire burning bright, there was an eerie stillness in Eldrin—**a city reborn, but not yet alive.**

Jack took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Let's find you all a place to rest."

They gathered in what had once been Eldrin's central plaza. The wide, open space was lined with towering pillars, each engraved with the sigils of past Keepers. The fire that ran through the city's veins glowed brightest here, as if the very heart of Eldrin pulsed beneath their feet.

Jack found himself standing before a large brazier at the plaza's center. The flames within it danced wildly, responding to his presence. He placed a hand on the stone rim, feeling the energy surge through him. **Eldrin recognized him.**

A voice broke the silence. "How does a city that's been dead for centuries burn with fire that never fades?"

Jack turned to see Marik, arms crossed, his gaze skeptical but no longer full of doubt.

"The fire was never truly gone," Jack said. "It was waiting for someone to bring it back."

Marik let out a slow breath. "And you think we're meant to stay here?"

Jack nodded. "This is your home. It always was."

One of the women, an older survivor named Hellen, stepped forward, glancing at the towering structures surrounding them. "There's so much here," she murmured. "More than we ever imagined."

Jack offered a small smile. "And it's yours to reclaim."

As night fell, Jack led them through the city, helping them find shelter. The structures, though ancient, were intact, their interiors untouched by time. Rooms with stone walls and high ceilings, places that once housed families, scholars, and warriors alike, now waited for new inhabitants.

Jack watched as the people settled in, clearing dust from long-forgotten furniture, rekindling long-dormant hearths. For the first time in generations, **Eldrin had residents once more.**

Marik approached Jack near one of the plazas. "This place," he said, shaking his head. "I don't know what to think."

Jack smirked. "You'll get used to it."

Marik studied him for a moment. "And you? What now?"

Jack looked up at the tallest tower in the city—the ancient Keepers' Hall. "Now? We build."

---

The night stretched on, but few could sleep. The survivors, now residents, explored their new home cautiously, marveling at the structures, touching the ancient carvings as if to confirm they were real. Some gathered around fires, whispering stories passed down through generations about Eldrin's past. 

A group of children ran through the empty streets, their laughter echoing through the city for the first time in centuries. Jack leaned against a crumbling pillar, watching them. **Life was returning.**

Hellen approached him, her aged hands gripping a thick wool shawl around her shoulders. "You gave us something we thought we lost," she said softly.

Jack turned to her. "You never lost it. You just needed to find your way back."

She studied him for a long moment. "And you? You act like you don't belong here."

Jack hesitated. **Did he?**

Before he could answer, a distant sound rumbled through the night—a deep, echoing hum that sent a chill through the air. The fire in the brazier flickered, dimming for just a heartbeat before roaring back to life. 

Jack's muscles tensed. Shadow let out a low growl.

Marik was at his side in an instant. "What was that?"

Jack scanned the horizon, his instincts sharp. **Something was watching.**

Eldrin had returned. But perhaps…

**Not unnoticed.**

**To be continued…**