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His celestial gaze held an ancient perception. ‘A man who wields life and death in equal measure.’

Ki’Remi’s chest ached, not from doubt but from the truth of it. The fact was that Zephyr profoundly understood him.

Without warning, the air around them shifted.

A pull came from deep inside him, a ripple in existence itself.

Ki’Remi’s breath hitched as three silhouettes shimmered into view.

The towering figures, their bodies half-shadow, part-wraith, clad in the ancestral warpaint of the Ameru, stared down at the pair, eyes burning from beyond time.

Zephyr did not startle nor step back.

Instead, he turned to them with calm reverence, lifting a hand in quiet acknowledgment before placing it over his heart.

‘You long have guarded over him,’ Zephyr murmured, his voice as steady as the land beneath their feet. ‘And I have long seen you through the tether of Sulfiqar.’

Ki’Remi stiffened, his eyes snapping to Zephyr. ‘How?’

The older man gave a slow, knowing smile. ‘Like I said before, when you are bound to the gods, even in suffering, yousee more than you should. Somehow, your spirit was linked to all this turbulence, like you were the key to the release of my soul and the joy of my Issa. When I perceived your essence, I also got acquainted with those of your Witchmen and their deeds through time.’

His gaze flickered toward the three floating silhouettes, motionless mid-air, eyes on the pair with unreadable expressions. ‘I observed you all. Each battle. Every rise and fall.’

All Ki’Remi could do was murmur. ‘Fascinating.’

He turned to his spectral ancestors, and though they did not speak, they moved, inclining their heads, a rare gesture of respect.

Zephyr lifted a hand to his chest in return.

For an extended moment, the three ancient warriors and a demi-god war general who had once been fettered to the Divine Immortal acknowledged each other.

Seconds later, the Witchmen dissipated into the dusk, their presence lingering only in the whisper of the wind.

Ki’Remi exhaled as a monumental peace settled into his bones.

Zephyr placed a heavy hand on Ki’Remi’s shoulder. ‘You have my blessing, Sableman,’ he said.

The words struck deep, sending a ripple through the Rider.

Then Zephyr’s mouth curled into something both wry and amused. ‘We Sacrans mate for eternity, mind. So with this declaration, tis no way of turning back.’

Ki’Remi stilled, the magnitude of the occasion settling over him.

Then, in the distance, he caught sight of Issa, her laughter carrying on the wind, her gilded curls catching the last rays of day.

Ki’Remi inhaled, his voice gritted but fierce as he answered, ‘Tis why I’ve waited this long, all my life, for her.’

Zephyr’s gaze held his for another moment before, with a satisfied nod, he turned toward the setting suns, the golden light washing over the farm.

34

Pure Magic

ISSA

The departure from Dunia was a battle for Issa, for she was reluctant to leave her family.

However, duty called, and the Perseus Prime required them back in a few days.