Requiem of the Abyss & The Dawn's Call

The council chamber was filled with tension. Flickering torchlight cast long shadows across the polished stone walls, illuminating the gathered warriors and strategists. Lucian stood beside Seraphina near the war table, where maps and reports lay scattered. Across from them, a group of Valzariyan officers and guild representatives studied the latest intelligence. The rebellion had grown more organized than expected, but it wasn't just their numbers that concerned them now.

A scout stood before the table, his expression grim. "There have been… sightings," he reported. "Strange figures moving in the forests near the rebel stronghold. Some claim they saw monsters among the rebels."

Lucian's gaze sharpened. "What kind of monsters?"

The scout hesitated. "Descriptions vary. Some say they were men twisted by dark magic, others swear they saw things that shouldn't exist—shadowed figures lurking at the edges of the trees, vanishing the moment they were seen."

Whispers spread among the gathered warriors. Seraphina remained silent, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her sword. "Are these rumors, or is there proof?"

The scout shifted uncomfortably. "No physical evidence. But multiple reports confirm the same patterns—rebels appearing in places they shouldn't, moving through terrain faster than possible, ambushing patrols without leaving tracks. It's as if they're not entirely… human."

Lucian exchanged a glance with Seraphina. The idea of monsters fighting alongside rebels was impossible, yet the weight behind the scout's words told him something was very wrong.

Before anyone could speak further, footsteps echoed through the chamber. A familiar voice cut through the murmurs.

"Well, this just got interesting."

Dain Irvath strode into the room, his silver-lined cloak flowing behind him. His presence commanded attention—not just because he was the Silver Hawks' captain, but because of the two figures walking behind him.

One was a sharp-eyed man with twin daggers strapped to his belt, his movements as quiet as a shadow. The other was a young recruit, barely older than Lucian, with dark hair, a confident stance, and a sword strapped across his back.

Dain smirked. "I believe introductions are in order. This is Seric Vaughn, one of my finest stealth specialists. And this"—he gestured to the young man—"is Elias Vael. He joined my guild five hours ago, and now he's already being sent to war."

Elias crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "I haven't even seen our damn guild house yet, and I already have a job?" His tone was laced with amusement, but beneath it was the sharp observation of someone assessing his surroundings. "This doesn't happen to every new recruit, does it?"

Lucian watched him closely. There was something… different about him.

Seraphina, unimpressed, ignored Elias's complaint. "You're sending a recruit?"

Dain chuckled. "He's not just a recruit. He survived your little selection trial without magic. He's got instincts. You'll see soon enough."

Elias sighed. "Still feels like I walked into the wrong tavern and somehow ended up on the frontlines."

The tension in the room eased slightly, though the weight of the mission remained. Dain stepped forward, his expression turning serious. "Now, about these so-called monsters. If the rebels are using something unnatural, we need to know exactly what we're facing before we march in blindly."

Seraphina nodded. "Agreed. We move at dawn."

The final decision was made. The war had begun.

As the warriors left the chamber to prepare, Lucian caught one last glance at Elias. He didn't know why, but something told him this wouldn't be the last time their paths crossed.