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Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: To Return from Exile

Inside a rough cabin of rotting wood and cold stone,

Seth Arvahn sat on a backless chair,

exhaling long, heavy breaths—

each one carrying the weight of years filled with anger and betrayal.

Kaiden stood in the corner, silent as always.

Vann sat across from the old strategist,

his eyes locked on Seth's,

but the man wasn't really looking at him—

he was staring through him, into a past that refused to let go.

Vann spoke calmly:

> "We need you.

What I'm about to face isn't revenge—it's justice.

And a reclaiming of what was stolen from all of us."

Seth let out a harsh laugh,

like the creak of a door that hadn't opened in years.

> "Justice?

Justice for a kingdom that stabbed me in the back

after I spent years shielding its neck?"

Vann answered with conviction:

> "You were the Grand Strategist.

Your plans saved Valdera dozens of times.

I can't do this without you."

Seth stood up abruptly.

> "Valdera is dead, boy!"

He slammed his hand on the wooden table,

releasing a cloud of dust.

> "It died the day your father chose pride over his soldiers' lives.

It died the day Kaiden stayed silent as they dragged me into exile without a trial.

It died… the day I didn't shed a single tear when it fell."

Kaiden didn't flinch.

But behind his still face, his eyes burned with quiet pain.

Vann stepped forward.

> "I understand your anger.

But the kingdom isn't just a king—

it's the people.

The land.

The history.

And they paid the price."

Seth muttered bitterly:

> "And you think I didn't?"

He turned his back to them,

walking slowly toward a narrow window.

His voice lowered to a whisper:

> "Seven years I've eaten from the ground,

spoken only to silence,

and replayed battles in my mind that no one remembers."

Vann paused… then said:

> "And what's left for you here?

This cabin?

Ghosts?

Come with us.

Let your mind become the fire that burns the traitors who destroyed us."

Seth said nothing.

Then Vann added, quietly:

> "If not for Valdera…

then do it for me.

Teach me how to tear them apart—one by one.

Teach me… like you once taught my father,

back when he still listened."

For the first time, Seth's expression flickered.

He whispered—without turning:

> "Go now…

leave me the night.

If anything returns to me…

I'll find it there."

Vann stepped outside.

Kaiden followed.

And the night crept over the hill—

heavy as a choice still unmade.

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