Chapter 117

Chapter 117 SERAPHINA The journey back to the Moonshade Temple was quiet. Too quiet. The kind of silence that stretches and tightens around your ribs, pressing in with every step forward. I could feel Kaelos watching me from time to time, his golden eyes unreadable. But he didn’t speak. None of us did. Not even Callista, who usually had something sarcastic to say to lighten the mood. Not even Ruvan, who always offered reassurance. Because none of us knew what to say. Not after what we saw at the Star Shrine. Not after we learned that the corruption wasn’t just spreading—it was rewriting reality. I should’ve been scared. Terrified, even. But fear had twisted into something colder. Harder. I didn’t have room for panic anymore. Only purpose. “We’re almost there,” Kaelos said quietly, as the tall silver towers of the temple came into view against the dusky sky. “I sent word to Lysandra and the other Temple Elders. They’ll be waiting.” I nodded. “And the Flamehart and Stormthorn envoys?” “E