Azanlin's POV
As Azanlin stepped out from the glowing veil of the spirit portal, he breathed hard, tired to the bone. The air around him crackled with old power, still humming from his journey. The twin protection spells he had placed over Lord Ugarh's kingdom and his own land still glowed faintly. That meant they held strong. A small but important win.
The sky above looked clearer than before. The haunting whispers from the Spirit Realm were gone. He stood on the burned plateau where it all began. The air still carried the smell of ash and spirit magic. His escape had come at a cost.
Footsteps rushed across the hard ground. "Azanlin!" a familiar voice called.
Lord Ugarh, dressed in his battle robe, walked up fast, hope in his eyes. When their eyes met, his hope turned into s
