Chapter 4: Whispers in the Court

The morning sun spilled across Velheim like gold poured from the heavens. But inside the royal court, the air was colder than it should've been.

Aether stood in the grand hall, dressed in a tailored black coat with silver trims. The long table before him was lined with nobles, generals, advisors—people who once ignored him, dismissed him, and would, in the future, stab the kingdom in the back.

King Alaric sat at the far end. A stern man, mid-fifties, with graying hair and sharp eyes. He hadn't spoken yet, letting his court whisper and murmur at the prince's sudden call for emergency council.

"Your Highness," one noble finally said, "you've made serious claims. An invasion? Traitors in the capital? A figure called the—what was it again?—Black Herald?"

Aether's gaze swept across them. "Yes. And if we don't act now, Velheim will fall within five years. Possibly sooner."

Laughter broke out from one of the generals. "Are you saying you saw the future?"

"I lived it," Aether said simply.

Another noble leaned forward. "Then tell us, Prince, who are these traitors you speak of?"

Aether didn't blink. "I don't know all their names yet. But they're among you. They've already made their first move. Two guards were killed last night near the noble district—drained of life. Just like the Herald did in the final months before the invasion."

Alaric finally raised a hand. Silence fell.

"I've heard of these deaths," the king said. "And your concern is noted. But without evidence, I cannot accuse my council."

Aether stepped forward. "Then let me investigate. Quietly. I'll find proof."

The king stared at him, then gave a single nod. "You have seven days. But if you spread panic without results… I'll have to step in."

Aether bowed. "Understood."

As he turned to leave, a man stepped forward from the crowd.

Tall. Well-dressed. A noble. And someone Aether didn't recognize from the past.

"Lord Valen of House Moren," the man said with a smile. "I must say, your story was… fascinating. If there's anything my estate can provide, don't hesitate."

Aether met his eyes. Something in them didn't sit right. Too polished. Too pleasant.

"Of course," Aether said. "I'll keep that in mind."

---

Later – The Hidden Room Beneath the Archives

The secret chamber beneath the archives had been sealed for over a century. Only a few scholars even knew it existed. But Aether remembered it from his past life—where Viktor had hidden when the capital burned.

Aether, Viktor, and Lena stood around a large map spread across a stone table. Darius leaned against the wall, arms crossed, while Selene stood near the stairwell, keeping watch.

"We need to map out everyone who's moved suspiciously in the last few weeks," Aether said. "Guards reassigned. Advisors acting strange. Any noble gaining power too fast."

Viktor nodded. "Already started a list. But there's someone new… Lord Valen. He wasn't important in the last timeline?"

Aether shook his head. "He didn't exist."

Lena raised an eyebrow. "You're saying he came out of nowhere?"

"Or someone placed him here," Aether said quietly. "Someone rewriting the board, just like I am."

That made the room fall silent.

Selene looked over. "Then he's the first target?"

Aether nodded. "We watch him. We follow him. And if he's part of this… we act."

---

That Night – Outside House Moren

The estate was quiet. Too quiet.

Aether, Selene, and Lena crouched on the rooftop of a nearby building, hidden in the shadows.

Below, the courtyard of House Moren glowed with faint lantern light. A few guards patrolled lazily, unaware of the eyes above.

Selene adjusted her cloak. "You sure you don't want to send Darius?"

"He's too loud," Aether replied. "This is recon, not war."

Lena grinned. "So why bring me?"

"You're fast. If things go wrong, I need someone who can get out."

Selene glanced sideways. "And I'm here because…?"

Aether didn't answer. He slipped off the edge, landing silently in the alley below.

They moved like shadows—ducking past lantern light, slipping behind stone walls. Aether led them to a small side door he remembered from his past… one used by servants.

It was unlocked.

They slipped inside.

The estate was colder than it should've been. Not physically, but in the way sound didn't quite echo. In the way light didn't touch the corners of the hall.

Aether paused. "Feel that?"

Selene nodded. "Something's wrong here."

They moved deeper—through the servant halls, past a locked pantry, down a staircase that should've led to a wine cellar.

Instead, they found stone steps leading deeper into the earth.

The walls were covered in old carvings—symbols Aether recognized.

"Ruin script," he muttered.

"Translation?" Lena asked.

"'Let the throne rot. Let the roots burn. Let the Herald awaken.'"

Selene's voice dropped. "He's one of them."

At the bottom of the stairs, they found a chamber lit with blue fire. No torches. Just flames that floated in the air.

In the center—an altar.

Aether stepped forward, slowly. On the altar lay a sealed black crystal. Inside it, something pulsed.

"Is that—?"

"The Herald's eye," Aether whispered. "He uses these to see. To corrupt."

Footsteps.

They turned. A door on the far end opened.

Lord Valen stood there.

"I had a feeling you'd come," he said calmly. "You've changed things, Prince. The future is no longer set. But some threads are hard to cut."

His skin shifted—cracks forming along his face. His eyes turned pitch black. And from his shadow, something rose.

The Herald.

Not fully formed. Just a shape. A whisper. But real.

Selene drew her sword. "We're not ready for this."

Aether stepped in front of her. "We don't fight. We run."

The shadows lunged.

They barely escaped. Fire burst behind them as they fled back through the halls. The Herald didn't follow.

But its voice echoed through the stone.

"You cannot stop what's already begun."

---

Back at the Archive Chamber

Lena slammed the door shut. Darius drew his blade.

"What the hell happened?" he asked.

Aether dropped the black crystal onto the table. "Valen's not human. He's working with the Herald. He might be its vessel."

Selene's breathing was shaky. "We saw it. Felt it. It's already inside the city."

Viktor looked pale. "Then what do we do now?"

Aether looked around at all of them. His allies. His friends.

"We hunt. Quietly. Swiftly. If the king won't move, we will. And we stop this before it spreads."

Lena leaned on the wall. "So, what are we now? Rebels?"

Aether's expression was cold. "No. We're the last chance this kingdom has."

The candlelight flickered.

Somewhere far beneath the capital, the Herald whispered again.

And this time, the darkness answered.