A Symphony of Blades and Broken Stars

Ardyn, no, Elion, stood in the snowy vision, unable to move.

His name echoed in the wind, louder with every repetition. The city behind him burned with golden fire. Above, red stars pulsed like open wounds in the sky.

He turned around slowly.

The city was familiar. Towers carved from stone and crystal. Bridges suspended in the air. A place once called Aurelis, the City of Crowns.

And he had destroyed it.

A scream pierced the sky. He saw a woman on her knees, hands outstretched toward him, tears frozen to her cheeks. Soldiers knelt behind her, some begging, others cursing his name.

Then, silence.

The snow melted into shadow. The vision shattered.

Elion fell to his knees in the Watcher's chamber, gasping for air.

Kaela grabbed his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

He looked up at her, eyes wide. "That city, I destroyed it."

She didn't deny it. "You tried to kill the gods that ruled it. You called down the skyfire."

"I murdered thousands."

"You ended a war."

He shook his head. "Why would I forget all of that? Why would I"

The Watcher spoke again. "Because it broke you. You sealed your memories away. But now, they're returning."

Elion stood slowly, his legs weak. "What am I supposed to do with all this?"

"Finish what you started," the Watcher said. "You once shattered the stars. Now, you must decide whether to light them again… or destroy what remains."

Kaela stepped beside him. "There are others like you, scattered, sleeping, or lost. Some want to remember. Others want to stay blind. You'll need to find them."

Elion took a breath, still reeling. "And what about you?"

"I've shown you the first piece," the Watcher replied. "The rest is scattered across the ruins of the world."

As Elion turned to leave, the Watcher called out one last thing:

"The mask you wear is cracking. Soon, others will see you for who you truly are."