Location: Tavara – The Royal Medical Sanctuary, Capital City
Sunlight filtered gently through the tall windows of the Royal Medical Sanctuary, painting the pristine walls with golden hues. Birds chirped from the trees beyond, as if the entire city had exhaled at last. Peace had arrived—but its silence was unsettling.
Damien sat beside the Vessel's bed, his fingers loosely curled around hers. She was asleep, her breathing steady, her brow finally relaxed after years of carrying the weight of ancient memories and curses.
Her real name, once lost to time, now echoed in his heart—Seren.
Seren, his once-and-forever.
Nora stepped quietly into the room, her heels barely clicking against the marble floor. She didn't speak immediately, just observed the peacefulness that wrapped around the pair like a fragile cocoon.
"She's stable," Nora said softly. "But it'll take time."
Damien nodded. "She's waited lifetimes. A few more days won't matter."
Victor entered next, a thick file in hand. Unlike Nora, his presence was direct—military sharp, calculating.
"We've intercepted encrypted messages from the southern borders," he said. "Someone was guiding her… someone beyond the Circle's reach."
Damien looked up, eyes narrowing. "The Whispering Hand?"
Victor nodded grimly. "We traced faint echoes—code names, old allies, off-grid tech. There's someone still pulling strings. The war may be over... but the game isn't."
Nora crossed her arms. "So peace is just another pause."
"No," Damien said firmly, standing. "Peace is a choice. And we'll fight to keep it."
He looked down at Seren again, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "They tried to turn her into a weapon. But they forgot—light can blind as fiercely as it can guide."
---
Location: Tavara – The Southern Border, Nightfall
A cloaked figure stood in the shadow of a broken monument. He held a crystal disc—black, cold, pulsing with corrupted energy.
"The Flame has awakened," a distorted voice crackled through the disc. "But so has the Echo. You've failed."
The figure chuckled darkly. "I haven't even begun."
From behind him, five silhouettes emerged—each cloaked in darkness, each wearing a ring engraved with ancient runes.
"The Circle may have been healed," he whispered, "but the Spine of Tavara is cracked. All it takes is pressure."
Lightning cracked across the sky. The war was over, yes—but something deeper, something older, had stirred.
---
Location: Medical Sanctuary, Midnight
Seren stirred.
Damien leaned closer. "Seren?"
Her eyes fluttered open, glowing faintly with residual energy. She blinked slowly, adjusting to the softness of the room.
"I saw them," she whispered. "I saw what's coming."
Damien's grip tightened. "Then we face it. Together."
She turned her head toward him fully, emotion thick in her voice. "You'd still choose me? Even after everything I've done?"
Damien cupped her cheek gently. "I'm not choosing who you were. I'm choosing who we can become."
Seren let the tears fall freely, her soul finally unburdened.
"Then we fight as one."