The crimson sun sank behind the towering cliffs of southeastern Valeforge as the grand gates of House Virellion parted. Rays of gold stretched across the marble-paved courtyard, gleaming against ornate statues and tall obsidian columns that framed the estate. Crimson and sapphire banners fluttered high above, bearing the Virellion crest: twin stags beneath a blazing halo, symbolizing protection, nobility, and lineage.
Lady Sera Ignar stepped down from the carriage with poised elegance, her hand gently resting on Sofie's shoulder. Though exhaustion dulled her regal features, her presence remained as sharp as ever. Together they stood before the gathered stewards and servants, who had rushed into neat formation upon hearing the call of arriving nobility.
Sera raised her voice with a commanding grace. "This is Sofie. My daughter—of Ignar blood. From this moment, you will treat her as you would treat me."
The murmurs of surprise were stifled behind bowed heads. The stewards quickly followed with respectful bows and murmured, "Welcome, Lady Sofie," in unison.
Sofie blinked, momentarily caught off guard. For years, she had existed for survival. But here… she was given a title. A place. A name.
She turned to Lady Sera. Sera's expression remained unreadable, but a subtle nod—motherly, proud—was all Sofie needed.
Suddenly—
"Sofie!"
A voice broke through the formal tension as a girl burst from the mansion steps. Silver-braided hair bounced behind her and warm joy lit up her features.
"Aelina?" Sofie gasped, barely recognizing her cousin. Before she could react, Aelina wrapped her in a tight, heartfelt hug.
"I knew it! I knew it was you! It's been so long—we thought you were—" Aelina stopped, then squeezed her tighter. "I'm so glad you're here."
Two boys followed—Caelum, older and taller, with a sharp jaw and copper-colored eyes; and Orin, a younger one hiding slightly behind his mother's skirts, peeking with shy curiosity.
They were soon ushered into the main hall, where Lord Daelric Virellion and Lady Virellia awaited—Sera's noble cousins. Daelric was tall and imposing, with steel-streaked blond hair and calculating eyes. Lady Virellia wore an elegant sapphire gown, her presence refined, almost ethereal.
Daelric approached Sofie with a formal bow. "You are family now. And in this place, family is protected. You've survived fire—may you rest beneath wind."
Lady Virellia smiled warmly, brushing a strand of hair from Sofie's face. "You have her strength," she said to Sera quietly, then looked back at Sofie. "You are welcome here, always."
Later that evening, as golden lamps flickered to life and a soft orchestral tune played from enchanted crystals, the family gathered for dinner. The hall brimmed with laughter, shared stories, and clinking glasses. For a moment—just a moment—everything felt normal.
But then the doors opened.
Varion Ignar entered slowly, not in ceremonial armor, but in soft royal robes. His shoulders bore the weight of guilt and grief rather than fire. Battle scars laced his arms. His once-fiery eyes dimmed to embers.
His gaze fell upon Sofie.
"...Sofie," he whispered, almost afraid to speak too loud.
She stood.
Silence fell over the hall.
And then she crossed the distance and embraced him.
The room exhaled. The Monarch of Fire, bowed by war, stood in silence as a father—not a ruler.
"I'm sorry," he said. "For everything."
"You found me," she murmured. "That's what matters now."
---
That night, long after the dinner had ended and the warmth of conversation faded, Sofie stepped onto the estate's eastern balcony. The stars above shone bright, scattered across the midnight sky like diamonds caught in wind.
She leaned against the marble rail, letting the cold breeze stroke her face.
Her eyes found the horizon.
And her thoughts found him.
Klaus.
Not the merciless warrior the world feared. Not the stormborn killer who struck down and entire battalion
But him.
The boy who once gave her the last piece of bread during the coldest winter. The one who never said much—but when he did, it meant something. The boy who held her hand when the skies were falling, even when his own hands bled.
"I wonder if you're looking at the same sky," she whispered.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"Are you hurt? Are you… even alive?" Her voice cracked, barely audible. "You always acted so cold. But I saw it. I felt it. Every time you looked at me like I was the only thing real in your broken world."
She pressed a hand to her heart.
"I should've said something. I should've told you what you meant before the flames took everything."
A gust of wind brushed past her
Sofie closed her eyes.
"I miss you."
Her fingers clenched the railing, and her voice fell into a whisper:
"Come back to me… Klaus."
And far beyond the Virellion skies—beneath a storm-split world—lightning flared in the shadows of war.