The crowd's cheers gradually faded behind Kael as he disappeared into Ravenfall's winding streets.
He kept his hood low, avoiding crowded intersections and main roads. The city hadn't changed during the weeks he'd been gone. Children still chased each other through the alleys. Street vendors argued over prices. The scent of freshly baked bread drifted through the market.
Life had continued without him.
As though Kael Draven had never existed.
He eventually reached the eastern district.
Unlike the bustling city center, this part of Ravenfall echoed with the rhythmic ringing of hammers striking steel. The air smelled of coal and molten iron.
The Blacksmith District.
Home.
Kael stopped before a modest forge tucked between two larger workshops.
The wooden sign still hung above the entrance.
Rowan's Forge.
His chest tightened.
For several long moments, he simply stood there.
The forge was quiet.
Too quiet.
His father never let the furnace go cold.
Slowly, Kael pushed open the wooden door.
The familiar bell above it chimed softly.
Inside, everything remained exactly where he remembered.
The weapon racks.
The anvils.
The shelves lined with unfinished swords.
Even the old wooden chair where his mother used to sit while sewing leather grips.
But the forge itself...
Was cold.
Footsteps echoed from the back room.
An elderly woman stepped into the workshop carrying a basket of coal.
She froze.
The basket slipped from her hands.
Coal scattered across the floor.
"...Kael?"
Her voice trembled.
Kael smiled faintly.
"Aunt Mira."
Tears immediately filled her eyes.
"No..."
She shook her head repeatedly.
"No..."
"They said..."
"They said you died..."
Before Kael could respond, she rushed forward and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
"You foolish child..."
She sobbed.
"Do you know how worried everyone was?"
Kael gently returned the embrace.
"I'm sorry."
She pulled back just enough to examine his face.
"You've gotten thinner."
"And these scars..."
Her eyes widened.
"What happened to you?"
Kael glanced away.
"It's... a long story."
She studied him for another moment before sighing.
"Come."
"You're starving."
Without waiting for an answer, she disappeared into the back room.
Kael smiled to himself.
Some things truly never changed.
A few minutes later, they sat together around a small wooden table.
Steam rose from a bowl of vegetable stew.
Kael hadn't realized how hungry he truly was until the first spoonful.
Aunt Mira watched him quietly.
"You eat exactly like Rowan."
Kael paused.
"Where is Father?"
Silence.
Her smile faded.
She slowly placed her spoon down.
"Kael..."
His heartbeat quickened.
"What happened?"
She hesitated.
"After they announced your death..."
"...he stopped working."
Kael's grip tightened around the spoon.
"He blamed himself."
"He kept saying he should never have allowed you to join the Trial."
Her voice grew softer.
"Every day..."
"He searched the forest outside the Abyss."
"Even after the Association declared the search over."
Kael lowered his head.
"He searched alone."
"For two weeks."
Until...
"He collapsed from exhaustion."
Kael immediately stood.
"Where is he now?"
"Resting."
"At home."
Without another word, Kael hurried out the door.
His father's house stood only a few streets away.
Every step felt heavier than the last.
When he finally reached the familiar wooden home, he stopped before opening the gate.
The garden had become overgrown.
Several tools lay abandoned near the workshop.
The once-vibrant home now looked neglected.
Kael quietly approached the front door.
It was slightly open.
Inside...
A single candle illuminated the room.
Rowan sat alone beside the fireplace.
He looked older.
Much older.
His broad shoulders had become thinner.
His beard had grown uneven.
Dark circles rested beneath tired eyes that stared silently into the dying fire.
In his rough hands...
He still held Kael's childhood wooden practice sword.
Kael felt something tighten in his chest.
"Dad..."
The old blacksmith froze.
The wooden sword slipped from his fingers.
Slowly...
Almost fearfully...
He turned around.
Their eyes met.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Rowan stood.
His lips trembled.
"...Kael?"
"I'm home."
The old blacksmith took one uncertain step forward.
Then another.
He stopped directly in front of his son.
A calloused hand reached toward Kael's face.
As though afraid he might disappear.
When his fingers touched warm skin...
Rowan's composure shattered.
He pulled Kael into a crushing embrace.
"You idiot..."
His deep voice cracked.
"You absolute idiot..."
"I told you..."
"I told you not to die before me."
Kael closed his eyes.
For the first time since falling into the Abyss...
He allowed himself to relax.
"I'm sorry."
Rowan laughed through his tears.
"You always apologize..."
"...just like your mother."
The two remained there in silence.
Neither needed words.
Eventually, Rowan stepped back and looked his son over.
"I don't know where you've been."
"I don't know what happened."
"But..."
His expression became serious.
"You're stronger."
Kael nodded.
"I am."
"And dangerous."
Kael remained silent.
Rowan had forged weapons for Hunters his entire life.
He could recognize strength simply by the way someone stood.
Whatever Kael had experienced...
It had changed him completely.
The old blacksmith didn't ask any questions.
Instead, he walked toward a large wooden chest hidden beneath the staircase.
He unlocked it with a heavy iron key.
Inside rested a long object wrapped in dark cloth.
"I was saving this..."
"...for the day you became a true Hunter."
He handed it to Kael.
Kael carefully unwrapped the cloth.
Inside was a beautifully crafted black leather scabbard reinforced with silver steel.
It perfectly matched Eclipse.
Rowan smiled proudly.
"I made it years ago."
"I always believed you'd need it someday."
Kael slowly sheathed Eclipse.
The weapon fit perfectly.
Almost as if the scabbard had been forged specifically for it.
A notification quietly appeared.
Artifact Synchronization Increased
Eclipse Compatibility: 18% → 25%
Kael blinked.
"So even this..."
The System recognized his father's gift.
A knock suddenly echoed through the front door.
Three sharp knocks.
Rowan frowned.
"We're not expecting anyone."
Kael activated Void Sense instinctively.
Three presences stood outside.
One was familiar.
Very powerful.
The elderly man from the Hunter Association.
The other two...
Were Silver Hunters.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"They've already found me."