Prologue: A Life Beyond Hell
A year had passed since the Empire declared its victory.
Nothing had changed.
"You mean to leave."
"I do."
Having laid down the wolf's head — having shed that crushing weight at last — Adel gave his answer.
"And what will you do?"
"Anything. I mean to try."
"Where will you go?"
"Anywhere. I wish to see it."
Perhaps he found that sufficient. The man who had asked the questions inclined his head.
"Then go."
They say that even a noble soul, if it lingers too long, becomes a wraith. Better to let him go before he was lost. So the man thought — the Emperor of the Empire.
"Do anything. Go anywhere."
That is all I can give you.
The Emperor's words were swallowed by the dry wind, and never reached Adel's ears. But for Adel, it was enough.
Freed of that heavy burden, he found himself turning the questions over. What should he do? Where should he go? Even the luxury of wondering was a pleasure — but the finest thing of all was this: at last, he could keep the promise he had made to his comrades.
"The promise I made to you all — I am keeping it at last."
So he whispered, and took a step — out of hell, and into the world.