Vin’s unexpected return sent waves of astonishment crashing through the ranks of Zephyron’s followers, a fervent and palpable reaction that echoed throughout the assembled group. This was not just a mere surprise; it was a tumultuous swell of emotions that rippled through them, stemming from a collective belief that Vin would be absent for an indefinite period. Indeed, they had all resigned themselves to the thought that his journey—characterized by daunting obstacles and arduous trials—would stretch on far longer than anyone could reasonably predict. His previous challenges had seemed insurmountable; tales of his struggles had circulated among them like legends of old, leading many to believe that he was venturing into an abyss from which he might never emerge. As such, hearing of his ret
