Lira still looked at Kael with hesitation. She had been raised—indoctrinated, really—to hate Whisperers. And Kael was everything the world had been taught to despise. He knew this. All he could do now was try to earn her trust.
Lira finally broke the silence. "I come to these ruins often," she said. "And I think... I trust you, Kael. Don't let my face fool you. I know I look unsure. I am. But I believe you could be a powerful ally."
"An ally?" Kael asked, cautiously.
She hesitated. "Beneath these ruins is a bunker. A place where those who want to overthrow the Council of Nine live and plan. We don't have the strength to fight them—not yet. But you... you might change that."
It was a lot to take in. His mind reeled back to the map he had found in Seren's chest. The ruins had been circled. Did she know about this rebellion? Had she once been part of it? Why hadn't she told him—before it was too late?
"Did you know Seren?" Kael asked, a knot tightening in his throat.
"I knew of her," Lira said quietly. "She left the cause before I joined it."
So it was true. Seren had known. At some point in her life, she had fought against the Nine. Maybe she had even believed in change once. Kael had more questions, but chose to leave them unspoken—for now.
"Tell me more about the rebellion," he asked instead.
"Walk with me," she said. "I'll explain on the way."
As they began walking toward the Forbidden Ruins, Lira spoke.
"I became obsessed with this place," she admitted. "It's one of the last remnants of the old world. A world where people talked, laughed... loved. Whenever I struggled with the tasks the Council gave me, I came here. The ruins were quiet, barely patrolled. Peaceful."
She continued, "One day, I stumbled upon a group—rebels. They didn't hide who they were. They spoke freely, even in front of me. I wasn't wearing my uniform, so they didn't know who I was at first. Over time, they started meeting me here, outside the ruins. Eventually, they trusted me enough to show me what lay beneath them."
Kael listened silently, absorbing every word.
"There's a community under these ruins," she said. "A hidden city of sorts, built by those who still believe in the old ways. People trying to restore Vowenrealm to what it once was."
They reached the crumbling stone structure that loomed over the overgrown land. The main entrance was sealed—no one could enter that way. But Lira led him to the back, to a concealed door hidden by thick shrubbery. She pushed it open, revealing a narrow, dim stairwell leading deep underground.
Kael hesitated. A trap? He couldn't be sure. But he wanted to believe. If these people truly existed—people who didn't fear his power—then maybe, just maybe, he wasn't alone in this fight.
He followed her down the steps, the air growing colder with each descent. Lira remained quiet.
At the bottom, a faint light glowed beneath a heavy door. Lira pushed it open with a creak, revealing a massive underground structure. The bunker was carved from stone and lit by hanging lanterns. Rooms lined the walls. People bustled about—repairing things, carrying supplies, speaking freely. Kael stood in awe.
"Follow me," Lira said.
She led him through the stone corridors toward a large metal door. She knocked.
"Come in," came a muffled voice.
Inside, five people sat around a stone table. Maps adorned the walls. Battle plans and diagrams covered the surfaces. The room went silent as Kael stepped in.
One man stood—a tall, older figure with a scar over his left eye. His worn uniform once resembled the garb of the Nine, but the stitched '9' had been crossed out. Rips and tears in the fabric hinted at a life marked by conflict.
"Lira," the man said sharply. "Who is this outsider?"
"He's a colonist," Lira replied.
"That's all? You brought a random colonist here?" he growled.
Kael stepped forward, but before he could speak, another man rose to his right. A sneer twisted his face, and a long scar marked his chest beneath an open shirt.
"Sit down, Rowan," the old man commanded.
Rowan obeyed.
"Everyone out," the man ordered. "I want to speak with the boy alone."
"But sir—" Rowan protested.
"Are you questioning me?" the man said with steel in his voice.
The others filed out. Lira lingered, but the old man looked at her. "You too, Lira."
She cast a quick glance at Kael. He nodded. She gave him a faint smile and closed the door behind her.
The man turned back to Kael and stepped closer.
"My name is Thorne Caldus," he said. "Former member of the Council of Nine. I now lead this rebellion."
Kael stiffened. A former Nine? That meant the Council wasn't immortal—they groomed successors. Replacements.
Thorne continued, "But enough about me. Who are you?"
"I'm Kael. Son of Seren. Colonist from the western outskirts of Vowenrealm."
The name stopped Thorne cold. His demeanor changed in an instant.
"Did you say... Seren?" he asked, voice trembling.
"Yes. She raised me."
"Where is she?" Thorne stepped forward. "Is she safe?"
Kael frowned. "Why do you care?"
Thorne's gaze dropped. His posture lost all its formality. The warrior vanished, replaced by a man carrying decades of sorrow.
"Seren... she's the reason I left the Nine. She was my wife, Kael. And together... we saved you. You are a Whisperer."
The world seemed to stop.
Kael's heart raced. Seren—his caretaker, his teacher—was this man's wife? And he was once one of the Nine? Everything felt upside down.
And yet, anger flared in his chest.
"Then where were you?" Kael demanded. "Where were you when Seren was tied to a pole and burned alive?"
Thorne's lip trembled. His tears hit the floor, one by one. His anguish was real.
Then, without warning, Thorne stepped forward and embraced Kael.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there. For her. For you."
Kael had never known this kind of warmth. Seren was strong, but never affectionate. Yet something in this hug felt... familiar. Safe.
He let his arms slowly rise and returned the embrace.
Tears spilled from his eyes too. Maybe Seren wasn't truly gone. Not if her memory lived on—in Kael, and in this place, and in the man who had once loved her.
Hope, fragile but real, flickered in Kael's chest. And with it came resolve.
Seren's story wasn't over.