The black night hadn't completely passed. Ashes were still blowing in the wind, covering the ground like a thin veil of lingering shadows, while smoke from small fires slowly rose into the gray sky.
Eren stood at the western edge of the crumbling wall, watching the horizon. Unusually black clouds were forming, gathering in circles, as if a storm was about to strike.
Lylin approached silently, a few embers in her hand illuminating her tired face. "I don't think these are just ordinary ash clouds... I feel a pulse in the fire, as if something is approaching."
Before he could reply, the silence was broken by the sound of wind. But it wasn't just a rush; it was a deep note, accompanied by a long, flute-like echo, causing them to turn west.
On the horizon, a streak of blue light appeared, then a column of wind rose, forming a long shadow within it, before the storm subsided, revealing two figures approaching through the wind.
One of them was a tall man, his silver hair swirling in the wind, and his eyes reflecting lightning. The other was a woman in a gray cloak, holding a staff covered in strange symbols that sometimes glowed green.
They advanced until they reached the wall, where the guards stopped them with concern. Eren raised his hand to lower his weapons and stared at the silver-haired man.
Who are you?
The man bowed slightly and said in a voice that was quiet but still carried the power of the storm:
I am Rhaen, heir of the Ancient Winds of the Storm Clan, and this is Sera, guardian of the Hidden Passages. We have come because the Winds sent us.
Lylin looked at Sera and said,
And what brings you to this land of ash?
Sera smiled slightly, raised her staff, and a green spark appeared within it. She said,
We know the secrets of confronting the Ash Lord... or at least, how to reach the Heart of the Shadows, where he can be stopped before he fully awakens.
There was a moment of silence before Eren asked, "And how can we trust you?"
Rain held out his hand, and the winds gathered around him in a whirl, carrying with them the scent of rain and lightning. He said, "Because the First Winds never betrayed you, and because you are now their heir, otherwise the winds wouldn't have brought you here."
Eren felt the wind caress his palm, carrying a strange warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. He realized the truth of Rain's words and nodded quietly.
Everyone sat around the remaining fire in the courtyard, while Rain began drawing a map on the ground with ash, crooked lines leading toward a large circle in the center.
Rain said, "The Heart of the Shadows lies at the center of the Black Ashes, where the Ash Lord now builds his throne, spreading his roots into the earth to transform it into eternal shadows."
Leylin asked, "And how do we get there?"
Sera replied, "We hold the key to the hidden passages that snake beneath the Ashes. We use the wind to hide our tracks, and fire to clear the way. But we need the power of both wind and fire at a precise moment... or darkness will engulf us."
Eren felt the winds around him begin to swirl slowly, as if echoing with each word, while Leylin's fire glowed softly as if responding to the mention of the Ash Lord's name.
Eren said firmly, "If this is the only way, we will do it. But we won't leave the people here alone; we must protect them first."
Rain replied, standing up, "We will train your fighters on the winds, showing them how to use the currents to avoid the shadows, while you prepare your fire to clear the way."
Sera looked at Leylin, "And your fire... you must grow stronger, or you won't be able to withstand the shadows of the Ash Heart."
Leylin raised her hand, lit a pure, clear fire, and said, her eyes glowing:
You will be stronger... stronger than ever.
Eren concluded the meeting, looking at the horizon:
We will prepare, and when dawn comes tomorrow, we will begin our journey toward the Heart of Shadows, to stop the Ash Lord before he devours this world.
At that moment, the wind blew, carrying the scent of rain through the ashes, as the fire in Leylin's hand rose quietly, and hope shone in everyone's eyes.
The storm had sent its voice, and with it, a new page of resistance had begun.