Eclipsed heart

t of an unspoken fear, as if the world knew something had shifted. The seers whispered of ill omens,

ng around the cloth bundle in his arms. Within it lay two newborns-one his own son, the other the son of his fallen f

ight of countless centuries of duty. He had seen empires rise and fall, had fought in wars beyond mortal comprehension, and had

ne," Jalil said at last, his vo

thinking, questioning, fighting against what he already knew was co

t," Jalil continued. "It may be in five years, or ten, but

eady. Beside him, Darian, Vaelin's child, looked the same-serene, innocent. They were merely children. N

slowly, his voice almost hes

ssion did not

s dry. "You ask me to raise these children, to love them

out love, Elias. It is about duty." His voice hardened. "If we fail, if we allow Azir to return, t

the world. Not even the Divine Lords had been able to destroy him completely-only seal him away at th

xhaled

"But you ask me to ki

hild marked by Azir is innocent. Do no

waver. He had made a vow to Vaelin, to protect his son as his own. And he had made a

said, his voice firmer now. "Giv

ehind his back as he stared at the great tapestry that lined the chamber wal

to defy prophecy?" he asked. "Many have walked this path before, Elias.

good men. I will teach them honor, discipline, and purity of heart. If one of the

s expression unreadab

wear

urprise, Jalil gave a slow nod. "Very well,"

pounded. "And

," Jalil said. "And if you fail..." His gaze

ked down once more at the two sleeping

y, he

derst

vy hand on his shoulder. "Then may the

inning

r faced. He had fought in wars, he had battled against demon

from the moment they could walk. They ate together, trained together, and

nals. He instilled discipline in them, taught them the ancient arts of comba

ow, searching for

night that he wo

ers. Darian, though just as skilled, was different-fierce, determined, and sometimes reckles

of Elias's mind, a

ire one day

he mark

ias have the strength t