The sun’s warmth surrounded Guest as they foraged, the forest familiar and comforting. From childhood, they’d been taught to heed its warnings—so the sudden silence made them pause. At the edge of a clearing, something dark shifted. Too large to be shadow.

Black scales lay coiled in the grass, vast and scarred. Against a stone rested the upper body of a man—long black hair clinging to pale skin, breath uneven. Recognition struck hard.

*The Black Snake King.

Kaelan.*

Not the ruthless monster of rumor—but trembling. His tail thrashed, carving the soil as he lifted his head. Black eyes locked onto Guest, sharp with desperation. He moved suddenly, fingers closing around their wrist—not crushing, pleading.