The wind over Valhalla felt unnaturally still, like the city itself was holding its breath. Hope and fear clashed in the air, as fragile as frost beneath sunlight.

“Your Majesty,” one of the commanders approached, his face carved with concern. “The northern gate—we’ve received word of an incoming attack. We’ve fortified it as best we can, but we need reinforcements.”

Nicolas nodded, his expression unwavering. “Ready the soldiers. I’ll be there shortly.”

Turning back to Star, he gave her a small, firm smile. “You and your friends are not alone in this fight. Valhalla will stand strong.”

Star’s heart swelled with admiration for him. He wasn’t just leading an army—he was leading his people, heart and soul. The weight of the battle ahead was immense, but here, in the city’s heart, Star saw what true leadership meant. It wasn’t just about strength in war—it was about strengthening the spirit of the people, giving them the courage to face what was coming.

When they reached the northern gate, where soldiers were gathered and preparations were underway, King Nicolas slowed his steps. His expression darkened, brows furrowed, the weight of his responsibilities pressing heavier on him. He looked out over the city—its walls now reinforced, its people milling about, their faces marked with fear and uncertainty.

After a long, silent moment of reflection, the king turned to Star. His eyes—usually calm and composed—now held a deep sorrow, the weariness of a lifetime spent bearing an impossible crown.

“Star,” he began, his voice soft but heavy with intensity. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you. Something I’ve carried with me for a long time, but never had the courage to speak aloud.”

Star blinked, surprised by the seriousness in his tone. The king was rarely this open—his demeanor was usually resolute, unwavering. But now, she felt the shift, sensed the vulnerability behind his words.

He drew in a slow, measured breath, his gaze never leaving hers. “You must understand... what’s happening here is far beyond any ruler’s control. Valhalla—this city, this kingdom—it isn’t just a place to me. It’s my life. My legacy. My bloodline. I’ve carried the burden of protecting it since I was a child, just like my father before me, and his father before him.”

His voice wavered slightly, but he quickly steadied himself, jaw tightening as he continued.

“But I’ve never faced anything like this. Nidhogg—this monster—he surpasses the strength of armies, the height of walls, the brilliance of any strategy. He’s an ancient terror, one that has waited centuries for the right moment to strike. And now that moment has come. And I…” he swallowed hard, his throat tightening, then looked Star in the eyes again.

“I don’t know if I can protect them,” King Nicolas confessed, his voice barely more than a whisper. “I don’t know if I can stop him. No matter how many soldiers I have. No matter how strong our defenses are—we’re no match for that creature. And this is my fault. I’ve failed them.”

Star’s chest tightened at the pain in his voice. These weren’t the words of a king trying to preserve his rule—but of a man who truly loved his people, drowning beneath the weight of his lineage. He wasn’t just worried about Valhalla’s survival—he feared letting them down. Letting his ancestors down. Letting everyone he’d sworn to protect down.

She opened her mouth to speak, but he lifted a hand, as if to pause her. His eyes looked haunted now, and she saw something deeper in them: fear, guilt, and exhaustion from carrying this burden for far too long.

“There’s more,” he said thickly. “My lineage… Queen Savanah I—she was a woman of unimaginable power. She bore the bloodline of the greatest warriors in Valhalla’s history. But she also carried a curse—our family’s legacy. The burden of being the last line of defense against a force we can’t even comprehend. That curse has been passed down through generations, unspoken. And now I bear it too.”

He paused, his eyes distant, as though recalling memories he wished he could forget.

“The truth is, Star… I’ve never told anyone how I really feel. I couldn’t. My people rely on me to be strong. I can’t let them see how afraid I am. How uncertain I am.”

His hands—usually so steady and strong—trembled slightly as he turned his face to the horizon. “I can’t tell them that I fear I’m not enough. That the weight of everything ahead is too much to carry.”

Star felt her heart ache for him. She had always seen him as a leader, a king—a steadfast protector of his people. But this... this was the man behind the crown. A man burdened with a responsibility so great, few could comprehend it. A man who had never been allowed to be vulnerable. To simply be human.

“You don’t have to carry this burden alone,” Star said softly, her voice calm and full of quiet conviction.

“You don’t have to bear the weight of your ancestors, your people, and this kingdom by yourself. We’re here with you. You have allies now, and we will fight beside you. I will fight beside you.”

Nicolas exhaled, relief and pain flickering in his eyes. But before hope could settle—

A horn sounded from the northern gate.

War had arrived.