For the first time in what felt like centuries, Iron Howl was quiet.

No battle horns. No divine thunder. No wailing of bone or fire.

Just the sound of wind brushing against cracked banners and wolves rebuilding what little remained.

Kael’s fire had dimmed since the siege. He still stood tall, but his aura, once fierce as a star, now burned low, steady but frail. His blood no longer sang like molten gold; it pulsed with pale embers and traces of divine ash.

Sometimes when he thought I ...