Return of the General's Daughter

"This... this is General Alaric’s token."

The words, once spoken, sent a ripple through the room. The drawn swords hesitated, then one by one were sheathed.

Lara exhaled silently. But as she stepped forward, a guard moved to intercept.

"The letter was entrusted to me," she said firmly. "General Alaric’s order was that I personally hand it to General Odin."

The guard looked to General Odin for confirmation. The general gave a slow nod. The soldier stepped aside.

Lara advanced, coming to a stop mere inches from him.

For the first time, she was close enough to see him in full—the man who was both a stranger and a ghost of her own reflection.

Wordlessly, she handed him the letter.

Then, she looked up.

And when their gazes met, she stilled.

A pair of eyes—sharp, piercing, identical to her own—stared back at her.