As the final echoes of the discussion faded, Alaric looked upon the trio one last time.
"You already know what to do,"
He said, voice returning to its calm gravity.
"Follow the path that glows… and walk away from the ones that don't. That'll do the trick."
The three bowed deeply.
"Yes, Lord Aurelian."
And with that, they turned and departed—silent shadows vanishing down the glowing corridor. The throne room's doors closed behind them without a sound.
For a brief moment, silence reigned.
Then, the velvet curtain stirred.
Alaric stepped out from behind it—no longer cloaked in divine light or aura-crushing majesty.
He looked… utterly ordinary.
Loose robes, soft sandals, a faint, mischievous smile tugging at his lips as though he had just played a harmless prank. His golden eyes glimmered with concealed mirth.
Auralyne, standing near the curtain, blinked in disbelief.
She looked at him as if seeing him for the first time all over again.
"…Master,"
She finally said,
