AVELINE The battlefield lies eerily silent now that Malzareth has been sealed. The oppressive energy that once hung thick in the air is gone, replaced by the faint hum of my mana coursing through me and the residual heat of Elryx's power. Though victorious, I know this battle is not yet over—not entirely. My gaze shifts, settling on the man who started it all: Duke Cedric Brown.

He's slumped against a broken pillar, blood trickling from his temple. His face, once smug and full of condescension, is pale, and his eyes dart around desperately. The duke, once so confident in his schemes, now looks utterly defeated.

Before I can step toward him, a voice calls out from behind.

"Aveline!"

I barely have time to turn before I'm pulled into a strong embrace. Warmth and relief envelop me as I realize who it is.

Xavier.

"You..." His voice trembles slightly as he tightens his arms around me. "You're alive."

I rest my forehead against his chest, allowing myself a brief moment of solace. "I promised you, didn't I? I told you I'd never leave you."

He exhales sharply, pulling back just enough to meet my gaze. His usually composed face is soft, almost vulnerable, as though he's still convincing himself that I'm really here.

After a moment, he straightens, his expression hardening with resolve. "Let's finish this, Aveline."

I nod, stepping out of his hold. My focus sharpens as I approach Duke Cedric.

"Ah, Father," I say, noticing Duke Edric standing nearby, his sword resting casually on his shoulder. "I see you've made it here first."

Duke Edric smirks faintly. "Here's Cedric." He gestures to the battered man at his feet.

I summon my magic, feeling it pulse warmly in my veins. With a flick of my wrist, glowing chains materialize, wrapping tightly around Duke Cedric's wrists and ankles. The enchanted shackles hum with power, ensuring that no amount of strength—or dark magic—can break them.

"There, there, Duke Cedric," I say, my voice cold. "Stay still, won't you?"

He thrashes against the chains, his movements desperate and clumsy, but they hold firm.

Before I can speak further, a guttural growl echoes through the air. My instincts kick in, and I whirl around just in time to summon a barrier. A monstrous creature lunges toward me, its claws crashing against the magical shield with a deafening clang.

"Persistent," I mutter, my irritation bubbling. With a swift gesture, I send a burst of energy through the barrier, disintegrating the creature instantly.

But something doesn't add up. Duke Cedric is restrained, unable to summon anything. Could it be...?

My gaze darts around the battlefield until it lands on a figure in the shadows.

"Ah, Margaret," I say, my voice calm but sharp as a blade.

Margaret emerges from the shadows, panting heavily. Her hair is disheveled, her face pale, and her hands tremble as dark magic flickers around them. Emilia stands beside her, her expression stricken with fear and confusion.

"Oh, look who's here," I add, my tone mocking as I straighten.

"Sir Edward," I command without looking away from the pair.

Sir Edward moves swiftly, his hand gripping Margaret's arm in one motion and Emilia's in the next. They both cry out, but their struggles are futile. He drags them forward, forcing them to kneel beside Duke Cedric.

"Now, now," I say, my voice cold as I summon more chains. The glowing bindings wrap tightly around Margaret and Emilia, locking them in place beside the duke. "Let's not make this more difficult than it already is."

"Hm," I hum thoughtfully, my gaze sweeping over the three captives. "Someone's still missing. Is he here yet?"

"Here he is, my lady," Sir Derrick announces, striding forward with Baron Harry Thorne in tow. The baron is bound in thick ropes, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

Sir Derrick gives him a rough shove, sending him sprawling beside the others.

"How... how did you get caught?" Duke Cedric hisses at Harry, his voice laced with frustration.

I let out a sharp laugh, stepping forward to answer for him. "Because he's an idiot."

Harry flinches, his face flushing with shame.

"Baron Harry," I begin, my tone mockingly sweet. "You thought you could poison me, didn't you? That was bold of you."

He opens his mouth to protest, but I cut him off.

"Let me guess," I continue, my voice growing colder. "You thought your servant's loyalty would protect you? Too bad for you, they weren't nearly as brave as you thought. A little scare was all it took for them to spill everything."

Harry lowers his head, avoiding my gaze.

Xavier steps beside me, his presence grounding. "What should we do with them?" he asks, his tone neutral but his eyes burning with barely concealed anger.

"Send them to the dungeons," I reply, my voice firm and commanding. "We'll deal with them properly later."

Sir Edward and Sir Derrick nod, hauling the captives to their feet. Duke Cedric thrashes against his chains, but Margaret and Emilia are too stunned to resist.

As they're led away, Duke Edric steps closer, his expression softening. "Well done, Aveline," he says, his voice warm with pride.

I glance at him, my chest tightening at the rare praise. "Thank you, Father."

He places a hand on my shoulder, his grip steady and reassuring. "We'll take it from here. You've done enough for today. Rest."

I nod slowly, allowing myself to relax. Elryx lands beside me, her massive wings kicking up a gust of wind. Her scales shimmer under the sunlight, a reminder of her unmatched strength.

I place a hand on her neck, feeling the steady rhythm of her mana.

"Let's go, Elryx," I whisper.

She growls softly, crouching low so I can mount her back. Together, we take to the skies, the wind rushing past us as we leave the battlefield behind.

As we soar above the empire, I glance down at the lands below. Quesaria is safe now.

"Elryx," I say softly.

"Yes, Aveline?"

"Thank you," I murmur, leaning forward to rest my head against her warm scales. "For everything."

She lets out a low rumble, her version of a comforting hum.

We fly in silence for a while, the wind carrying us far from the battlefield. As I close my eyes, I think of my mother and grandmother, their voices still echoing in my mind.

The battle may be over, but my journey is far from finished.