The journey continued through the vast nds, the weight of their past encounters still hanging heavy in the air.

  The sun had barely risen when they finally reached a very rge gate, 3x rger than what the Lirielle has.

  "It's huge," Lysara said, amused by the gates.

  "I know about this Kingdom. Even with no one guarding the gate, this might be the safest pce we could ever have," Val replied.

  "This is the Kingdom of Dominion," Val continued.

  Yes, the gates of the rgest empire on the continent. Its towering stone walls, crafted with meticulous precision, rose high above the horizon like a shield guarding the heart of a kingdom. This was the strongest empire, known for its military prowess and the iron grip its ruler held over its people.

  Its name was Dominion, a nd of unmatched power and control.

  As they entered, the streets were alive with activity—carriages, soldiers, merchants, and common folk bustling in a well-organized symphony. The architecture was grand, with buildings that seemed to touch the sky, each one a testament to the empire's wealth and strength. There were banners flying high, each symbolizing the empire's dominance over the continent. Yet, amidst all the grandeur, Val couldn't help but feel the weight of his true identity—hidden, yet still looming.

  "I didn't think we would ever find ourselves here,"

  Aris muttered, her golden eyes scanning the busy marketpce.

  "This pce... it's nothing like Lirielle."

  "Not even close," Val replied, his voice still as cold and detached as ever. "Lirielle has its strength, but it's in its defenses, not in sheer power like this. Dominion... it's a beast of war, bred for conquest."

  Lysara, ever the beacon of light despite her weakening condition, leaned closer to Val, her golden eyes full of curiosity.

  "Are we safe here?" she asked softly, her voice a mixture of concern and hope.

  Val's gaze hardened slightly as he surveyed their surroundings.

  "For now, yes. But we can never be sure. Dominion’s rulers would kill to know who we really are, especially in this city."

  Aris gnced at the towering gates as they passed through.

  "Then what now? We need to keep moving, find answers about the Lycans, Val."

  "We’ll rest here for a while," Val said, his eyes narrowing at the marketpce.

  "There’s no sense in rushing now. We need information, and sometimes it's best to gather it quietly."

  The trio made their way to a nearby merchant stall, where a weathered old man, his face wrinkled from years of hard bor, gnced up at them. His eyes, sharp and observant, immediately noticed the way Val held himself—his composure, his presence, the way he subtly commanded attention without uttering a single word.

  “You’re not from here,” the old man said, his voice gruff.

  “No one walks with such purpose in Dominion unless they’ve earned the right to. What brings you to our empire?”

  Val’s expression remained neutral, but his gaze locked onto the merchant’s. "Just passing through," he replied ftly.

  "We're looking for information."

  The merchant seemed to study them for a moment before his eyes lingered on Lysara, who stood close to Val, her beauty and presence impossible to ignore. His lips curled into a knowing smile, a hint of recognition flickering in his gaze.

  "I know who you are," he said suddenly, his voice lowering into a whisper, "and I know what you're looking for."

  Lysara’s eyes widened, but Val’s hand shot out, grabbing the merchant’s wrist with an icy grip.

  "What do you know?" he demanded, his voice colder than ice.

  The merchant didn’t flinch, merely nodding in acceptance of the tension in the air.

  "I know enough. The vampire who walks with a cold heart, the woman who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders, and the warrior who hides her true power. I've seen you all before."

  Val’s grip tightened for a moment, but then he let go.

  "Speak pinly."

  The old man chuckled softly. "Your reputation precedes you. The vampire known as Val, the one who destroyed kingdoms and turned the tide of battles. You... are a child of the night, and not just any vampire. You're the son of the King of Night. I know that name well enough."

  Lysara’s eyes shifted in disbelief, her golden irises flickering between colors. "The King of Night...?" she whispered.

  Val’s expression was unreadable, but the storm brewing in his eyes was unmistakable. "How do you know that name?" he asked, his voice carrying a dangerous undertone.

  The merchant leaned closer, his voice barely audible as he whispered, "There are whispers in the wind, my lord. Whispers of your true lineage, and of the darkness that you carry with you. And in Dominion... there are eyes everywhere."

  Aris, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward. "And what do you want in return for this information?" she asked, her voice cool.

  The merchant smirked, the glint of amusement in his eyes. "Nothing, for now. But I’ll be keeping an eye on you. Things are about to change in Dominion, and with your arrival... well, let’s just say there are those who are very interested in meeting you."

  With a nod, Val turned and motioned for the others to follow him. "Let's move."

  As they walked away, the merchant’s words echoed in Val’s mind. They weren’t just passing through Dominion. Something was pulling them here, something far bigger than they realized.

  Walking through the busy town, their footsteps echoing on the cobblestones. Their moment of peace, however, was short-lived.

  As they crossed a narrow bridge that spanned a river, Lysara, lost in the rhythm of their conversation, stumbled.

  Her foot caught on a loose stone, and before anyone could react, she pitched forward, hitting her forehead against the side of the bridge.

  Blood immediately began to flow from the wound, staining her skin as she cried out in pain.

  "Lysara!" Aris shouted, rushing to her side.

  Lysara's eyes watered with the sting of the injury, but she smiled through the pain, ever the trooper. Aris, looking frantic, immediately began to kneel beside her, ready to tend to the wound.

  Val, however, stepped forward, his expression cold yet filled with concern. "I’ll take care of it," he said firmly, gently pushing Aris aside.

  Aris hesitated, but ultimately backed away, watching as Val crouched down beside Lysara.

  Lysara, now seated on the bridge, blinked up at Val as he carefully examined her forehead. "You’re always so… perfect," she murmured, her voice a mix of awe and affection. "How are you even real?"

  Val didn’t respond right away. He was focused on the task at hand, his fingers brushing lightly against her skin as he cleaned the blood. As his hands worked, Lysara couldn’t help but gaze at him. His features were chiseled to perfection, his silver hair falling in a way that only added to his ethereal charm. She felt her heart race, the warmth spreading across her face.

  "I love you, Val," she said softly, a blush creeping up her neck. The words came out so naturally, so effortlessly.

  Val looked up at her, his crimson eyes locking with hers. He paused for a moment, and for the briefest second, there was a flicker of something more in his gaze. "I love you too, Lysara," But we need to keep moving." he replied, his voice calm yet ced with sincerity.

  Lysara’s heart skipped a beat at his words, and a bright blush spread across her cheeks. She smiled widely, her eyes closing in a fit of happiness. "You’re so… cold-hearted, but I love it," she whispered, her voice barely audible, and she couldn't stop herself from giggling softly.

  Val, ever composed, finished tending to her forehead, making sure the bleeding had stopped. He stood up, offering her a hand to help her up. Lysara, still smiling, took it with ease, letting him pull her gently to her feet. Her heart was light as air, and even the pain from the injury didn’t seem to matter as much anymore.

  After they left the bridge, they made their way to a nearby restaurant—a humble pce that reminded them of the little eateries back home. The smells of fresh bread and sizzling meats filled the air, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The group sat at a table near the window, the chatter of the surrounding crowd blending with the clinking of gsses.

  As they ate, the conversation shifted, the topic drifting to the state of the empire they were in. From their overheard discussions, they learned of the ongoing political tensions within the empire. There were whispers of corruption in the royal court, power struggles between rival factions, and rumors of a rising threat in the north.

  Lysara, still basking in the warmth of the moment, listened intently, though her thoughts kept drifting back to Val and the words he had spoken to her. "I love you too..." Those words had been so simple, yet so powerful.

  She couldn’t help but smile again, stealing gnces at him from across the table.

  Aris, noticing her distraction, nudged her lightly with a teasing smile. "Don’t get lost in thought now. There’s still a lot of ground to cover."

  Lysara ughed softly, her gaze flickering back to Val. "I’ll never get lost, as long as I have you by my side," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

  And despite the political unrest they overheard, the weight of everything that had happened, for a brief moment, it felt as though nothing else mattered but the bond they shared in this quiet corner of the world.

  As Lysara and Val finished their meal, the conversations around them continued to ebb and flow. The political tension in the air grew palpable, and soon, the whispers they overheard became more concerning.

  One voice, louder than the others, caught Lysara’s attention. “The kingdom of Lirielle is vulnerable. With the empress gone, there’s talk of an invasion from the rger empires. It’s only a matter of time before someone seizes the opportunity.”

  Lysara froze, her fork halfway to her mouth. Her golden eyes darkened as a mix of emotions swirled within her—fear, anger, and a deep sense of helplessness. Val noticed immediately, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. But there was no time to comfort her; the words continued to ring in her ears.

  “The empire of Lirielle might fall. It’s only a matter of which empire moves first,” another voice chimed in, a little quieter, but just as heavy with dread.

  Val’s expression shifted, a glimmer of something darker entering his gaze. The mere thought of someone threatening Lysara’s kingdom infuriated him, but he kept his emotions in check, sensing the weight this carried for her.

  Lysara slowly set her fork down, her gaze distant. “They want to invade Lirielle…” Her voice was barely above a whisper, almost lost in the bustling noise around them. “Why now? Why when my kingdom is at its weakest?”

  The merchant had told them about the growing unrest, but hearing this rumor confirmed it—the vultures were circling. She had hoped that Lirielle’s defenses, its renowned strength, would hold strong in her absence. But now, it seemed that hope was slipping through her fingers.

  “Lirielle is known for its impenetrable defenses, but without me…” Lysara trailed off, her voice thick with the weight of her words. “Who will protect my people now?”

  Val pced a firm hand on her shoulder, offering what little comfort he could. “No one will take what’s yours, Lysara. We’ll find a way.”

  But the seed of doubt had been pnted. The threat was no longer a vague worry. It was real, and it was growing stronger with each passing day.

  Lysara staring at the distant horizon, lost in thought. The weight of the kingdom she left behind, the people who depended on her, and the looming invasion that could tear it all apart hung over her like an unyielding storm.

  And as they prepared to leave the restaurant, the looming danger felt closer than ever.