Inle sighed as he sat on the ledge of a cliff, watching over the cityscape of Imperious. The capital city of Estinia was a glorious sight. Its many towers carved the sky with its black stone and waving banners. Although the flags now bore the Southtail emblem, the colonized people of Estinia still stood tall with pride. Inle could not help but admire that. Even in overwhelming defeat, they still held their heads aloft.

The rest of the city spanned an entire valley high in the mountains of the Meric Range. As cold and frigid as it was at times, it did not bother the shadow elf. He spent the last year training with Strife using pressurized water to heighten his speed and power, and ice magic to increase his endurance and willpower.

To his surprise, in that year Estinia went back to war with all of Cypress, the royal family of Estinia were executed, and their empire toppled.

Unbelievable. Inle thought to himself. Time often stands still when I am with Dead of Winter, but even so I still miss so much.

“Inle!” a voice shouted to him. “It is time.”

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Inle turned to find Strife, his hydro mage master approaching.

“Six months have passed since the Dawnedge War and Master Wraslyn suspects Koda will soon go on his mage journey,” Strife continued.

“Soon. Suspects. So Wraslyn is still unsure,” sulked Inle.

“Do not question our master!” hissed Strife. “Wraslyn’s sight is infinite,”

Inle stood and bowed to the mage. “I apologize.”

“Have you selected your name yet?” Strife said, choosing to move on. “Today you will start using your new identity.”

Inle draped his glamor charm around his neck. Within an instant his appearance shifted from a purple haired shadow elf to that of a black haired forest elf. Gone was his gray skin and silver eyes. Flesh changed into a peachy tone with his magenta eyes becoming the same as his former teacher, Elucard.

“Cade Stargazer,” Inle said with a smirk. “I knew a Cade as a small boy.”

“Good. From now on you are Cade Stargazer, do not forget this.”

Inle bowed once more. “I shall not, Master Stryneth.”

Strife tilted his nose up and gave Inle a twisted smile. “Then we are ready.”

“To lead Koda to his destiny,” finished Inle.