"You've changed," he said quietly, studying my eyes. "The gate didn't just give you strength. It changed how you see the world."
I met his gaze evenly. "It showed me the truth. Our clan's history is darker than the official records claim. The fallen elders didn't just disappear. They created monsters."
A heavy silence followed. My father dismissed the elders with a wave. Once we were alone, he spoke again.
"The northern territories. Rumors of another anomaly near the Frostveil Mountains. You will investigate. Take your… companions if you wish. But be discreet. The other great clans are already asking questions about the power surge from Valthor."
I nodded. "I'll leave in three days."
He studied me for a long moment, then placed a hand on my shoulder — the closest thing to paternal affection I'd felt in years.
"Do not become what you fight, Aristarkh."
As he walked away, the system interface appeared once more.
[System Log — New Mission Assigned]
