Aeris’ pov
As I walked through the corridors leading to the medical wing, I caught glimpses of soldiers, battered but standing, finding their footing again. Each face I passed held a trace of resilience, and for the first time in days, hope flickered in my chest. Despite the weight of war, we’d made it through with fewer casualties than I’d feared. Yet, in the shadow of victory, a dark presence lingered—the Iron Widow. The name itself sent a chill through me, a constant reminder that her motives and intentions remained as elusive as a wisp of smoke. Why now? And what had she hoped to gain by manipulating Nathaniel? The questions gnawed at me, but I had few answers, and even a conversation with Nathaniel seemed unlikely to reveal much.
I entered the medical hall, and my eyes immediately f
