The night air in Eldenshire was cool, a gentle breeze drifting through the city streets. The fountain in the central square shimmered under the moonlight, its rhythmic flow the only sound Kael could focus on. The noise of the bustling marketplace had long since died down, leaving the square quiet, save for the occasional passing traveler.
Kael sat on the fountain's edge, his pack resting beside him. In his hands were the letters—Eryn's letters—each one a small piece of a bond he had fought desperately to hold onto. He carefully unfolded one, the familiar loops of her handwriting standing out against the parchment.
With a deep breath, he began to read.
"Kael,
I hope you're doing okay. It feels strange writing these letters not knowing when—or if—you'll see them, but it helps to talk to you this way. I wanted to tell you about my guild. Silverstar, and they're amazing. I feel so lucky to be with them.
Everyone treats me so well. It's so different from how things were in the beginning of my adventuring journey. They really feel like a family. We've cleared a bunch of dungeons together already, and every time, I feel like I'm growing stronger.
There's Valerion, our leader. He's so calm and composed, but he has this way of making you feel like you can do anything. He always has a plan, and he makes sure we're safe.
Then there's Sylara. She's wild and fun, always cracking jokes and keeping things light, even when the mission gets tough. She's so good at what she does, though—I've seen her take down three enemies at once in her mountain lion form.
Kaelis is probably the most unpredictable of the group. He's always pushing his abilities to the limit, but you can tell he really cares about the team. Sometimes he comes across as a bit reckless, but he's incredibly skilled.
And then there's Lyanna. She's like the heart of the group. She talks a lot , but she's always watching out for us. I've seen her shield us from attacks that would've taken me out completely. She's so strong, Kael. You'd like her.
I wish you could meet them someday. Being with Silverstar feels… right. Like I finally found a place where I belong."
Kael's grip on the letter tightened.
Like I finally found a place where I belong.
The words hit him harder than he expected.
Eryn didn't know. She had no idea what he had gone through in Ironclaw. She had no idea that for an entire year, he had been mocked, ridiculed, and cast aside. That he had spent every day trying to prove himself to people who never cared.
And now, she had what he had always wanted.
A team that treated her like family. A guild that valued her.
Kael's chest ached as he exhaled shakily. He should be happy for her. She deserved this. She deserved to be with people who respected her, who saw her worth. But deep down, all he could feel was the cold realization that he had never once felt that way in Ironclaw.
He had been alone. Always alone.
His hands trembled as he set the letter aside, reaching for another.
"Kael,
How's Ironclaw treating you? Are you still with them? I hope they're starting to see how strong and capable you are. You've always had so much potential, even if it takes others a while to notice. I know it's not easy, but I believe in you. Always.
If things ever get too hard, remember that it's okay to walk away. You deserve to be somewhere that values you. Somewhere you feel at home. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're less than you are.
Write back when you can. I miss hearing from you.
Eryn
The words blurred as Kael's vision clouded with unshed tears.
She didn't know.
She thought he had been growing, thriving, proving himself. She thought Ironclaw had finally started to see his worth.
She had no idea that they had broken him.
His shoulders shook as he let out a ragged breath.
Kael hunched over, his elbows resting on his knees, the letters clutched tightly in his hands. His chest felt tight, like he couldn't breathe, like all the air had been stolen from his lungs.
For the past year, he had told himself that things would get better. That if he just endured a little longer, if he worked a little harder, Ironclaw would finally accept him.
But they never had. They never would.
And the only person who had ever believed in him hadn't even known how much he had suffered.
A strangled sob escaped his throat before he could stop it.
He had been holding everything in for too long. The insults. The humiliation. The loneliness. The nights spent wondering why he wasn't good enough. The endless struggle of trying to be part of something that had never wanted him.
It all crashed down on him at once, an unbearable weight pressing against his chest. His breaths came uneven, his fingers digging into the parchment as if letting go of the letters would mean losing the last bit of hope he had left.
He wiped at his face, but the tears wouldn't stop.
For the first time in a long time, he let himself break.
Minutes passed. Maybe longer.
Kael didn't know how long he sat there, his body curled in on itself, silent tears falling onto the letters in his lap.
When he finally lifted his head, his expression was hollow.
For so long, he had thought that enduring Ironclaw's torment would lead to something. That if he suffered through it, if he proved himself, he would eventually find his place.
But Eryn's words had shattered that illusion.
"It's okay to walk away."
He had already left Ironclaw physically. But now, he realized he needed to leave them behind completely.
He couldn't keep looking back.
Kael carefully folded the letters, placing them back into his pack. His hands were steadier now. The pain was still there—raw and aching—but beneath it, something else had started to take shape.
Determination.
He stood, his gaze shifting toward the glowing streets of Eldenshire.
He had no guild. No allies. No plan.
But he had a choice.
For the first time in a long time, he had the chance to carve his own path, free from Ironclaw's shadow.
He took a deep breath, the cool night air filling his lungs.
"One step at a time," he murmured.
With renewed resolve, Kael turned and walked forward—toward whatever came next.