The Widow’s Blood Debt
"You honor us with your presence, but tell me, what do you seek to reclaim? A seat before men who remember your mother as a distant memory? Or a place among the living? You must understand: this fortress holds bloodlines older than the West itself. We are not easily swayed by mere names."
"I seek our legacy," Julian replied resolutely, his voice unwavering. "Shao-mei deserves that we honor her memory, not let it fade like a forgotten story. The Vane name carries weight, but it is the Lin blood that flows through my veins. I’m here to restore balance and to harness the power that comes with it. Strength is drawn from both my bloodlines not to erase them but to unite them."
The Elder's eyes na