Evie's heart pounded, but her resolve was unshaken.

Her sister had disappeared into the shadows, but that didn't matter. She was going to find her.

"We have to move," she said firmly, adjusting the straps of her cloak. "She's still out there, and Alaric won't wait for us to catch up."

The princes stood around her, tense, their expressions unreadable.

Rowan crossed his arms. "Evie, you just heard your own twin's intentions and you want to chase after her without resting?"

"There's no time," she insisted. "If we wait, she'll be gone, and Alaric will finish whatever he's started."

Sol exhaled slowly, his jaw clenched. "That doesn't mean you have to do this alone."

Duke stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "We're with you, Little Flame, but we need to be smart about this."

Seth, unusually serious, watched her carefully. "And you need to promise that you won't do something reckless."

Evie forced a smile. "I would never."

The way none of them looked convinced made her heart ache, but she couldn't give them false hope.

She already knew how this would end.

______________________________ The air grew heavier as they approached the ruins. The scent of damp stone and burning incense filled the space, and an eerie glow pulsed from the ancient carvings along the walls.

Alaric stood at the center, hands raised over an altar where dark energy swirled like a storm. And beside him, her sister stood, watching with a smirk.

"You're late," her sister drawled, arms crossed. "I thought you'd get here sooner, dear sister."

Evie swallowed hard, staring at her twin. She wanted to see something—anything—of the girl she had seen in her dreams. The girl lost in the dark, desperate for someone to save her.

But all she saw was cruelty.

Alaric sighed dramatically, eyes gleaming. "I was hoping to have more fun, but I suppose I'll have to settle for a quick reunion." He turned to Evie's twin. "Darling, why don't you give our dear guest a proper welcome?"

The princes immediately moved in front of Evie.

"She's not fighting alone," Rowan growled.

Her twin scoffed. "That's fine." Her lips curled into a wicked smile. "Because when this is over, I'll be bringing her corpse to Alaric's feet." ______________________________ The moment Evie's sister moved, shadows exploded around her.

Dark tendrils lashed out, forcing the princes to dodge. Rowan's flames flickered wildly as he countered the darkness, while Duke summoned a fierce wind to keep the creeping shadows at bay.

Sol struck the ground, sending stone spikes toward her twin, but she danced through them effortlessly—almost as if the earth itself bent for her.

Seth blurred forward, aiming for a quick strike, but before his dagger could even reach her, she smirked and snapped her fingers.

A pulse of dark energy sent him flying back.

Evie's heart clenched.

Her sister was strong. Too strong.

But she wasn't going to hurt her.

She couldn't.

Summoning her magic, Evie blocked the next wave of shadows with a wall of golden light. "You don't have to do this," she pleaded. "We can fix this. You don't have to be like him."

Her sister's lips curled. "You still don't get it, do you?" She stepped closer, her voice laced with venom. "I don't want to be saved."

The words felt like a dagger to Evie's chest.

"I've spent my whole life in the dark," her sister continued. "And you—you got everything. The light. The love. The power. And now, I'm taking it for myself."

She lunged forward, her speed almost inhuman.

Evie barely dodged in time, but her sister was relentless. Every attack came sharper, fueled by years of resentment.

And yet, Evie couldn't bring herself to fight back.

Until Alaric spoke.

"You know," he said lazily, watching them from his throne of dark stone, "there's a way to end this."

Evie stilled.

Alaric smiled, sharp and knowing. "You want to save her?" His gaze darkened. "Then take the darkness yourself."

A chill ran through the air.

The fighting around them slowed as the princes snapped their heads toward Evie.

"No," Rowan said immediately. "Absolutely not."

"That's not even an option," Seth snapped, wiping blood from his mouth.

"Evie," Sol warned, his voice laced with panic. "Don't even think about it."

But she was thinking about it.

Because the darkness inside her sister was killing her.

And Evie could take it. She was strong enough.

She had to be.

Before the princes could reach her, she made the choice.

Closing her eyes, she opened herself up to the dark magic, letting it pour into her like a tidal wave.

Her twin collapsed as the corruption left her body, her features softening, the black in her hair fading.

And Evie—Evie burned.

The pain was unlike anything she had ever known.

But it was working.

She could hear her sister gasping for breath, free.

The barrier she had created around the princes flickered. They pounded against it, screaming for her.

But it was too late.

Evie's body trembled as she sank to her knees. She had taken too much.

Her sister caught her before she hit the ground.

"You idiot," her sister whispered, voice hoarse. "Why did you do that?"

Evie's lips trembled. She was so tired.

"I couldn't let you go," she murmured.

The barrier fell, and the princes were there in an instant.

Evie's body felt weightless, her vision hazy as she lay in Rowan's arms.

The pain was fading, not in the way that meant healing—but in the way that meant the end was near.

She could hear them—her princes—their voices overlapping in desperate cries, their hands shaking as they held her, refusing to let go.

She wanted to reach for them, to hold them close, but even lifting her fingers felt like moving through water.

Still, she tried.

Because this was her last chance.

Her fingers brushed against Rowan's cheek, and he let out a choked sound, pressing his face into her palm. His fire-bright eyes were wide, wild with desperation.

"No," he whispered. "No, you don't get to do this."

The others were there, too. Duke on his knees beside her, his hand gripping hers like it was the only thing tethering him to reality. Seth trembling, his flames flickering unsteadily as he clenched his fists. Sol was silent, his jaw locked, but his entire body was shaking.

They were breaking.

And it was because of her.

"I'm sorry," she breathed, her voice barely audible. "I didn't... want it to end like this."

Rowan let out a strangled sound, shaking his head. "NOO dont let go!!"

She smiled softly, her eyes half-lidded. "It's too late."

Duke let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. "No, no, we can fix this. Sol, do something. Use your magic—heal her."

Sol's hands hovered over her, but the moment his magic touched her, he recoiled.

"I—I can't," he rasped. "She's already—" His voice broke.

Seth slammed his fist into the ground, his fire flaring. "No. That's not good enough! You don't get to leave us, Evie!"

She blinked slowly, her body trembling. "I love you," she whispered, letting her gaze linger on each of them. "I love all of you. So much."

"Look at me sparks , keep your pretty eyes open for me darling." Rowan's voice was hoarse, his grip on her tightening.

Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.

"I wish I could."

Duke shook his head violently. "You don't have to wish. Just—just hold on. We'll fix this, we always fix things."

She gave him a sad smile, her fingers twitching in his grasp. "Not this time."

Seth let out a sharp, broken sound, turning away, his shoulders shaking. "No, you don't get to decide that."

Sol finally spoke, his voice raw. "Evie, don't you dare to say goodbye."

She turned her gaze to him, drinking in every detail of his face. She wanted to remember them all, just like this.

"I have to," she murmured. "But you'll be okay. I'll be watching over you."

Rowan let out a harsh breath. "You can't do that if you're not here."

She blinked tiredly, smiling faintly. "I'll be in the sky. I'll be the breeze that touches your cheek, the stars you see at night." Her lips curved softly. "Whenever you need me, just look up."

Seth sucked in a sharp breath. "Don't do this."

Duke clutched her hand to his chest, his tears spilling freely now. "I can't—I can't do this without you."

"You can," she whispered. "All of you can. You're strong, and you'll have each other."

Sol clenched his jaw, shaking his head. "We don't want each other. We want you."

Her heart clenched painfully. So much love.

How lucky had she been to have this? To have them?

"I'm so grateful," she murmured. "For everything."

Rowan's breath was shaking. "NO NO NOOO, Evie. Please."

She exhaled softly, her body growing heavier.

"I'll see you again," she promised.

And then—

Her eyes fluttered shut.

The world blurred into silence.

And the last thing she felt was the warmth of their hands as everything faded to black. _____________________________ For a moment, there was only stillness.

And then—

Seth screamed.

His entire body erupted in flames, a storm of fury and agony unleashed.

Duke's sobs wracked his entire frame as he clutched Evie's lifeless hand, his tears staining her skin.

Sol's breath came in uneven gasps, his hands curling into fists as his magic crackled around him, his control shattered.

Rowan was motionless.

His body was frozen, his eyes wide, locked on Evie's still form as if his brain refused to process what had just happened.

And then, in the next breath—

The world burned.

Seth turned on Alaric, his flames surging high into the sky as he launched himself at the man who had caused this. His power ripped through the battlefield, merciless.

Alaric had time to let out a single laugh before Seth's fire engulfed him whole.

Duke curled over Evie's body, his shoulders shaking violently.

Sol stood, his energy erupting. With deadly precision, he cut down the remaining enemies, his rage silent but lethal.

Rowan still hadn't moved. His body was stiff, his hands trembling as he stared at her, unblinking.

Then—

"You're all fools!" Evie's twin's voice cut through the chaos.

They turned toward her, eyes burning with fury, but she pointed at Evie, her expression wild.

"You're letting her die!" she shouted. "Take her to the academy , NOW!"

The words snapped something in them.

Rowan's hands moved.

In a flash, he scooped Evie into his arms, his legs already moving before his mind even caught up.

"MOVE!" Sol barked, shaking himself out of his stupor as they all surged forward.

But Evie's breathing—

It was too shallow. And as the academy gates came into view—

It stopped.