Shadows in the Dark

The night was heavy with silence, yet Seraphine could feel the weight of unseen eyes upon her. She moved carefully through the dimly lit corridors, her thoughts still racing from the discoveries she had made. The lost heir, the shattered remnants of a dynasty long erased from history—everything was shifting beneath her feet like loose sand.

But something else lurked in the shadows.

Kaelith had tightened security after their confrontation with Kieran, yet Seraphine knew that the threats against them were far from over. There were too many unanswered questions, too many forces working in secrecy. And now, a new presence was making itself known.

She felt it before she saw it—a whisper of movement behind her, the air shifting in a way that sent a sharp prickle up her spine. Seraphine turned swiftly, hand brushing the concealed dagger at her waist.

"You're quicker than I expected," a voice murmured from the darkness.

A tall figure emerged, their face hidden beneath the hood of a long, midnight-colored cloak. The flickering torchlight barely illuminated the edge of a smirk curling on their lips.

Seraphine narrowed her eyes. "Who are you?"

The stranger stepped closer but kept a careful distance. "A friend. Or an enemy. That depends on the choices you make, Seraphine."

The way they said her name sent a chill through her. Whoever this was, they knew far more than they should.

"You're bold for someone who slinks in the dark," she shot back.

A soft chuckle. "And you're clever for someone who thinks they have control over their fate. But tell me—what will you do when you realize the war you're fighting is far bigger than Kaelith, Kieran, or even the lost heir?"

Seraphine gritted her teeth. "If you think cryptic words will shake me, you're mistaken."

"Oh, I'm counting on your resolve," the figure said smoothly. "Because when the time comes, you will have to choose a side. And not all choices lead to victory."

Before she could react, the figure tossed something onto the ground—a small silver emblem, etched with a sigil she did not recognize.

"Consider this a gift," they said, stepping back into the shadows. "You'll need it."

Then, as quickly as they had appeared, they were gone.

Seraphine bent down, picking up the emblem carefully. The metal was cold in her palm, the insignia a mystery yet to be unraveled. She exhaled sharply.

A new enemy had arrived.

And the game had only just begun.