The war was long over. Virelia stood tall now-unified under the banner of House Vestule. Its spires reached skyward, its streets ran quiet, and its rulers moved like shadows behind silk and steel.
Zee never left Virelia. But he stayed out of sight. Ghostlike. A blade on the shelf-sharp, but untouched.
Until the summon came.
One quiet morning, Sevi and Torren were called with him to the upper halls of the Vestule Court. Formal robes. Cold stone. Eyes everywhere.
The Lady herself met them in the war chamber.
"We have one last job for you," she said, voice like winter.
Zee raised an eyebrow. "You never say last unless you mean it."
"This time, I do."
She laid a map across the table. Elarith-the kingdom to the east. Rich. Peaceful. Ruled by King Jason Bendragon. A man known for law and legacy.
"We want him dead."
Silence.
Sevi blinked. "You want us to kill... a king?"
"Assassinate," the Lady clarified. "Quiet. Precise. He travels to Os Kairos in three weeks. A rare public appearance."
Torren exhaled hard. "That's not a bounty. That's suicide."
"He will be vulnerable," the Lady insisted. "And your crew has done the impossible before."
Zee didn't answer. He only looked at the map, then at the Lady.
"I want a private word," he said.
She gave a nod. The guards left. So did Torren and Sevi-confused but obedient.
Whatever passed behind that door stayed there. No voices. No shouts.
When Zee returned to his companions, they were waiting on the outer balcony, storm clouds gathering over the distant mountains.
Sevi stepped forward. "What the hell is going on?"
Zee looked between them, eyes steadier than they'd ever seen. "I can't tell you why. But I'm taking the job."
Torren stared at him. "You serious?"
"Deadly."
Sevi folded her arms. "You said no more madness."
"This isn't madness," Zee replied. "This is something else."
A long pause.
Then Torren chuckled bitterly. "Of course we're in."
Sevi sighed. "Don't make us regret it."
Zee said nothing. Just looked out over the cliffs where the King's banners would one day burn.
And so, the wheels began to turn again-faster, sharper, deadlier.
Not for gold.
Not for glory.
But for something only Zee knew.