Author’s POV

The battle did not end when the Demon King vanished. It only changed shape. Instead of screams of war, there were now cries of pain. Instead of clashing steel, there was the low sound of mourning that spread across the field like fog. The Darkmoon pack suddenly became a shadow of itself.

They began with the count. One by one, names were called out.

Each name that did not answer felt like a stone dropped into the chest of everyone listening.

“Jared Blackwood.”

No voice came ...