The air inside the grand chamber remained still. Neither Zane nor Duke Windcrest moved, but the tension slowly bled from the room like smoke after a wildfire.
The Duke gave a subtle exhale and looked at Zane—no longer as a stranger, but as something far more complicated. Dangerous. Unpredictable. And perhaps... worthy.
He turned away and walked toward the window that overlooked the gardens of the estate.
"You may go," he said at last, voice leveled. "I won't raise my blade to you again."
Zane remained still, unsure if that was all.
But then the Duke spoke again.
"I know my daughter... and I know she's chosen you."
"So I'm entrusting her to you. No matter what happens, promise me you'll protect her—with everything you have."
"Good," the Duke said simply, then gestured toward the doors. "Now go. She's waiting."
The sun was beginning to set when Zane found Sera waiting in the open field beyond the estate walls, the wind brushing through her pale-blue hair. A soft breeze rustled the grass, casting waves across the landscape like the surface of a sea.
Zane walked up beside her, hands in his pockets. She turned toward him with a curious expression.
"What did he say?" she asked softly. "My father, I mean."
Zane didn't answer immediately.
Then he just smiled faintly, eyes half-lidded.
He lay down on the grass, pulling her hand gently down with him. She followed, confused but accepting, resting beside him as the clouds drifted slowly across the sky.
He stared upward for a moment in silence.
"I want to be strong."
"So strong that no one—no force, no kingdom, no god—can ever come between us."
His grip on her hand tightened.
"I promise I'll be back."
"It won't be long... I hope."
"But I need you to stay with your dad while I'm gone. He's strong. He can protect you until I return."
Sera sat up slightly, concern beginning to surface in her expression.
"Zane... are you leaving?"
She looked away, blinking back something behind her eyes.
He reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"I don't know how long it'll be. But I'll be back."
The wind picked up around them, warm and steady like a silent witness to the promise made beneath the crimson sky.
And somewhere deep inside Zane, Link's voice whispered—
> "Finally. We begin."