The capital's declaration echoed across the kingdom.But Kael was already moving.By sunrise, his army had left the battlefield and begun marching north.Thousands followed him.Some were former Royal soldiers who had abandoned the king. Others were villagers who had lost their homes to the Void. Hunters, blacksmiths, merchants, farmers, and wandering warriors had joined them.They had one thing in common.They had nowhere else to go.Kael rode at the front with Lyria, Raven, Aric, and Garran.Behind them marched the Shadow Army.They moved without sound.Thousands of black figures walked in perfect formation, their weapons resting on their shoulders.To Kael, they were more than weapons now.They were his responsibility.“How many people have joined us?” Kael asked.Aric looked at the group behind them.“Nearly five thousand humans.”Kael frowned.“That many?”“And more are coming.”Kael looked back.A long line of people stretched across the road.Children walked beside their parent