Silence enveloped the battlefield that had just subsided.
Shadow dust still lingered in the air, slowly fading away like the remnants of a nightmare unwilling to leave completely.
Aurelia stood amidst the destruction.
Before her.
Three figures whom she had once considered threats.
Now stood… waiting for her answer.
Ragnar with his hand outstretched, his wide grin unchanged, yet there was seriousness behind it.
Kael with a casual expression, but his eyes were sharp, observing every reaction from Aurelia.
And Orion.
Silent.
Yet that silence felt the heaviest of all.
"Blood Pact…" Aurelia repeated softly.
She knew.
This was not just an ordinary alliance.
It was deeper.
More dangerous.
More binding.
Ragnar nodded.
"Once bound, there is no turning back."
Kael added,
"No betrayal. No withdrawal."
Orion spoke softly,
"And no lies among those who are bound."
Aurelia stared at Ragnar's hand.
Then at Kael.
Then Orion.
In her mind, various possibilities swirled.
