A week had slipped by in the outside world since Ash disappeared into the Greater Chamber, while inside the cocoon ten weeks passed in stillness as his body and soul reshaped into something no prophecy had dared to imagine.
Velora thrived in utter silence, a whole army honing itself in the Haven, as the rest of Elaris scrambled to fill a void everyone pretended wasn't there.
In the Voss capital, the throne room was filled with the soft scent of jasmine.
Kale stood at the base of the dais, a king in everything but name, flanked by the four women who had unwaveringly stood by his side. He hadn't yet claimed any of the crowns, choosing instead to wait for his mother's approval.
Sylvara leaned into his left side, her fingers gripping his sleeve possessively, violet eyes challenging anyone to approach.
To his right, Rhea stood like a sharpened blade, arms crossed, her crimson battledress still carrying the smoky trace of the last kingdom that had defied him.
