His mind was reeling with thoughts of Jorghan, and that's when he saw her, the matriarch of Narmishina. A beautiful elf of the eastern mountains. She was known for her charming personality and unparalleled wisdom.

Kael'var looked at the rest of them like one might look at insects that had learned to speak.

"So this is where the dying dogs crawl together," he said lazily.

Vel'moth's jaw clenched.

"You have no business here, Nor'vack."

Kael'var ignored him completely.

His gaze slid, slow and predatory, until it landed on Narmishina.

And stayed there.

A faint smile curved his lips.

"Well," he murmured, "at least ruin hasn't stolen all beauty from the Ma'zenti."

Narmishina straightened at once, her survivor's guilt hardening into quiet fury.

"Leave, Kael'var."

It wasn't the first time he went after her. From the moment he saw her, he was after her, constantly harassing her.

He stepped closer instead.

"You used to walk with a spine," he said.

"Now you hide in alcoves with beggars and fading bloodlines."

Ariandal snapped, "Watch your mouth—"

Kael'var's aura flared instantly.

A crushing pressure slammed into Ariandal's chest, forcing him a step backward.

"You do not speak to elders, cub."

He turned his attention back to Narmishina.

"I hear your clan is finished," he said casually.

"Empty halls. Dead warriors. No future."

Silence tightened like a noose.

"You should be grateful," Kael'var continued.

"Not many women get the chance to secure their survival."

Narmishina's voice was ice.

"By selling themselves?"

Kael'var laughed softly.

"By choosing the right master."

Vel'moth's hand twitched toward his weapon.

Kael'var noticed.

The pressure in the air doubled.

"You six sit here whispering about begging Sol'vur," he said with contempt.

"A brute's bloodline. A killer's son. You truly think he will save you?"

Korven rasped, "Better a devil who protects than a tyrant who feeds on the weak."

Kael'var's eyes hardened.

"That mouth will cost you one day, old man."

He turned back to Narmishina and stepped into her space.

"You, however, are wasting your future," he said.

"Your clan may be dying, but my bed is not empty."

She did not move.

He reached out—

And grabbed her wrist.

The alcove erupted with movement.

Sashrutiena surged forward with a hiss, blades half-drawn. Kal'tun flared his mana. Ariandal moved on raw instinct alone.

Kael'var didn't even look at them.

He tightened his grip on Narmishina's wrist just enough to be unmistakable.

"You will submit," he said quietly.

"Because your clan has no leverage left.

And because I am offering you something better than extinction."

Narmishina's eyes burned with restrained fury.

"Let. Me. Go."

Kael'var leaned closer.

"Make me."

The pressure in the air suddenly vanished.

Not faded.

Vanished.

Like a storm swallowed by a greater sky.

A shadow fell across the alcove.

Not from above—

But from presence.

Kael'var's spine went rigid.

A voice spoke from behind him.

Low.

Calm.

Cold as deep winter.

"Remove your hand."

Kael'var turned slowly.

Jorghan stood at the entrance of the alcove.

No wings.

No flaring aura.

No dramatic power.

Just him.

But the space around him felt… wrong.

Like the world itself was holding its breath.

Sigora stood a few steps behind him.

Kael'var sneered.

"So the beast comes to play clan savior."

Jorghan's gaze never left Kael'var's hand on Narmishina's wrist.

"I'll say it once more," he said.

"Remove. Your. Hand."

Kael'var laughed and tightened his grip.

"For all your reputation, you forget where you stand," he said.

"You're newly recognized. You don't command Nor'vack. And this woman—"

He didn't finish the sentence.

Jorghan moved.

No one saw him leave his position.

One instant he stood at the alcove entrance.

The next—

His hand was wrapped around Kael'var's throat.

And Kael'var was lifted off the ground.

The stone beneath Jorghan's feet cracked in a perfect circle.

Kael'var's grip broke.

Narmishina stumbled back as air roared into her lungs.

Kael'var clawed at Jorghan's wrist, choking.

Jorghan leaned in close.

"You misunderstand something very basic about fear," he whispered.

"You think it protects the powerful."

His eyes glowed, just faintly.

"It does not."

He slammed Kael'var into the wall.

Once.

Twice.

A third time.

The entire alcove shook.

Jorghan released him.

Kael'var collapsed in a heap, gasping violently, blood at the corner of his mouth.

Jorghan looked down at him.

"If you ever touch her again," he said evenly,

"I won't raise my voice."

Kael'var lay on the stone floor, coughing and wheezing. His hand shook as he tried to rise.

Jorghan's eyes held no warmth as he looked down at Kael'var still sprawled on the floor.

"You haven't changed at all," he said, his voice carrying across the hall like a blade drawn from its sheath.

"Still the same reckless fool from back then."

Kael'var met his gaze, a flicker of defiance burning there.

"You seem to have become some official now, so act according to what you've become, not what you were."

He did see him in the council chamber, standing behind Korreth.

The words hung heavy in the air, carrying weight that went beyond simple reprimand.

Before Kael'var could respond, a presence moved through the gathered crowd. Elves stepped aside instinctively, creating a path.

A hand extended downward, elegant and strong.

Kael'var looked up and took the offered hand. The figure pulled him to his feet with effortless grace.

The elf stood eight feet tall, his presence commanding immediate attention. His brown skin held a velvety quality that seemed to absorb and reflect light simultaneously. His features were sculpted with such perfection that he appeared less like flesh and more like divine artistry given form. Everything about him radiated an otherworldly beauty that made others seem crude by comparison.

Jorghan looked at him; he didn't know who he was.

Aetheus of the Nor'vack sub-branch stood between them now, his stance protective yet not aggressive. His eyes, sharp as polished steel, moved from Kael'var to Jorghan.

"Your words carry truth, Jorghan Sol'vur," Aetheus said, his voice smooth and resonant.

"But they lack understanding. Power alone doesn't grant one the right to act as they wish, nor does it make the path forward clear."

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