All Chapters of Shadow Heir : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

------ The battlefield was a canvas of ash and blood, the bitter scent of smoke hanging heavy in the air. Dawn had long passed, but the sun struggled to pierce the thick veil of grey clouds that stretched over the ridge. Eolan pressed his back against the cold stone wall of a ruined watchtower, steadying his breathing as the restless shadow coiled at his feet, a living darkness that pulsed with barely restrained power. Around him, the camp stirred with uneasy energy. Soldiers moved with hurried purpose, tending to the wounded and preparing for the inevitable next assault. Yet even in the chaos, a quiet moment lingered—a fragile breath between storms. Rafa approached, his footsteps soft but certain, the long staff in his hand a familiar weight against the uncertainty. His eyes held a distant look, as if the memory he carried was heavier than the cold wind biting at their skin. “There’s something you need to know,” Rafa said, voice low and grave. Eolan turned to meet his gaze, wary

Ashes and AlliancesThe cold night crept over the battlefield like a silent predator, cloaking the fallen in shadows. The fires that had burned through the day’s fight now flickered low, casting an eerie glow across broken weapons and shattered shields. Smoke rose in slow spirals, mingling with the heavy breath of the survivors.Eolan stood near the edge of the camp, eyes fixed on the distant horizon where the last embers of the enemy’s retreat smoldered. His shadow curled at his feet, quiet but watchful—a constant reminder of the power he wielded and the price it demanded.Beside him, Rafa leaned heavily on his staff, exhaustion etching deep lines into his face. “We survived,” he said softly. “But at what cost?”Eolan nodded. “Too many lives lost. Too much ground given.”Aera approached, wiping grime from her cheek, her twin daggers sheathed but ready. Her eyes, fierce yet haunted, scanned the darkening woods. “The Creed may have fallen back, but their reach is far from broken.”Ying

The camp was a hive of uneasy murmurs. Since the temple raid, a shadow of distrust had settled over every corner, creeping into tents and council meetings alike. No one spoke openly of the betrayal, but eyes darted nervously, and every whisper seemed to carry a hidden meaning. Eolan paced in the war tent, the weight of recent events pressing heavily on him. Rafa sat across from him, fingers steepled, eyes narrowed. “Someone close to us,” Rafa said quietly. “Someone with access. They fed information to the Creed, sabotaged our efforts.” Eolan clenched his fists. “But who? We’ve looked at every face.” Aera entered, her expression tight. “Loyalties have shifted. Old alliances broken. There are those who profit from the chaos.” Ying’s voice was sharp as she joined them. “Even those we trust most can wear a mask.” --- The four leaders called a council. Warriors, scouts, and trusted advisers gathered, tension thick enough to cut with a blade. Names were whispered, accusations hinted

The camp was a hive of uneasy murmurs. Since the temple raid, a shadow of distrust had settled over every corner, creeping into tents and council meetings alike. No one spoke openly of the betrayal, but eyes darted nervously, and every whisper seemed to carry a hidden meaning. Eolan paced in the war tent, the weight of recent events pressing heavily on him. Rafa sat across from him, fingers steepled, eyes narrowed. “Someone close to us,” Rafa said quietly. “Someone with access. They fed information to the Creed, sabotaged our efforts.” Eolan clenched his fists. “But who? We’ve looked at every face.” Aera entered, her expression tight. “Loyalties have shifted. Old alliances broken. There are those who profit from the chaos.” Ying’s voice was sharp as she joined them. “Even those we trust most can wear a mask.” --- The four leaders called a council. Warriors, scouts, and trusted advisers gathered, tension thick enough to cut with a blade. Names were whispered, accusations hinted

The gray light of dawn seeped through the cracks of the war tent, cold and unforgiving. Outside, the camp stirred, but inside, a thick silence weighed heavy over the council gathered around the scarred wooden table. Eolan stared down at the spread of maps and notes, but his mind was elsewhere — tangled in the webs of betrayal and fear that clung to every breath. Rafa’s hands trembled slightly as he held a small, folded piece of parchment. The edges were singed, brittle with age, and the strange ink shimmered faintly in the dim light. “This was found near the southern perimeter just before dawn,” he said quietly, breaking the silence. “Left behind by someone — or something — who wants us to know they are watching.” Aera leaned forward, fingers twitching over the table. “What does it say?” Rafa’s eyes darkened as he carefully unfolded the note and spread it on the table. The symbols writhed in an ancient script — a language few alive truly understood. Slowly, Eolan’s eyes caught the