The next morning came with silence — not peace, but the kind of stillness that hangs before a storm.
Aurellia stood at the edge of the ridge, her glaive resting against her shoulder, eyes on the snow-drenched path that led toward Whispergrave. Even with her back turned, Kai could feel the weight of her presence. Still sharp. Still unreadable.
Lira stepped beside him, adjusting her scarf. "You really trusted her in your third life?"
Kai didn't answer right away.
"I did," he said finally. "She was my comrade. We fought side by side… until she was ordered to kill me."
Lira's expression darkened. "Why?"
Seris walked up, arms folded, her voice colder than usual. "Because he tried to burn the throne of the Sealed Church. A kingdom that worshipped silence and shadows. Kai tried to expose them."
Kai met Seris's gaze. "They were feeding innocents to awaken a Void fragment. I couldn't stand by."
Lira looked at Aurellia. "And she followed orders?"
"She had to," Kai muttered. "But she spared me in the end. She made it look like I died, but… it cost her everything."
He stepped forward.
Aurellia didn't turn. "I heard you talking."
"You always do," Kai said.
A soft chuckle. "Still melodramatic as ever."
He came beside her. For a moment, they both stared at the road ahead, saying nothing.
Finally, Aurellia spoke. "This journey to Whispergrave… it won't just test your sword, Kai. That place feeds on guilt. On secrets."
Kai let the wind brush his face. "Good. I have plenty."
She turned, meeting his gaze with ice and embers in her eyes. "Then you'll either conquer them—or be consumed."
They moved by midday, entering the stretch of cursed forest called Whispergrave.
Unlike the north, the trees here bled black sap. Leaves rustled even without wind. The deeper they went, the heavier the air became—like something unseen watched from every shadow.
Seris drew closer to Kai, whispering, "This forest wasn't always cursed. A war broke it. The souls of both armies were trapped here."
Lira shuddered. "Let me guess… another of your past lives?"
Kai didn't respond.
Because she was right.
Whispergrave had once been Thalenwald, a peaceful woodland kingdom. In his fourth life, Kai had tried to save it. He failed.
Night fell faster than it should have. They set camp under twisted boughs, where the stars refused to shine.
Kai took first watch.
Aurellia approached him again, sitting across the flickering flame. Her glaive leaned beside her like a silent sentinel.
"I should've let you die back then," she said softly.
Kai raised an eyebrow. "And yet, here we are."
She stared at him. "Why did you keep coming back? Life after life… chasing the same fire?"
Kai looked into the flames. "Because I remember."
"Everything?"
He nodded. "Every scream. Every failure. Every person I couldn't save."
Aurellia's voice was almost a whisper. "Then you're already broken."
Kai looked up, the Eternal Flame flickering in his eyes.
"Maybe. But broken things still burn."