The ruins of Orndale stood still under the morning sun. Smoke from the battle had cleared, and the forest around them breathed again—quiet, alive, as if the earth itself had sighed in relief.
Elara stood alone by the edge of the clearing, her cloak fluttering behind her in the breeze. Her eyes scanned the horizon, golden light spilling across the land. For the first time in years, there was peace in her chest instead of war.
Behind her, footsteps approached—familiar, steady.
"You always find the highest point to think," Kael said softly, joining her.
Elara smiled faintly, still looking ahead. "Old habit. I used to hide like this… when I was little. Climb high, pretend I was strong."
Kael reached for her hand and gently held it. "You don't have to pretend anymore."
She turned to face him, eyes misty. "Do you think we'll ever truly be free of it all? The past… the pain?"
"I don't know," Kael replied honestly. "But I know we'll face it together."
She leaned into him, her head resting against his chest. "Thank you. For staying. For never giving up on me—even when I couldn't see a future."
Kael's arms tightened around her. "You were my future, Elara. You always have been."
In the camp below, Evelyn was helping Lucien into a chair by the fire. He moved slower now, his wounds still healing—but he was alive. Elara had seen Evelyn kiss him with so much tenderness it brought tears to her eyes. They had both come back from the edge.
Thorne stood farther off, near the riverbank, quiet and alone. His armor was gone. He wore only a dark cloak now, his shoulders hunched. He hadn't said much since the battle.
Elara pulled away gently from Kael and glanced toward him. "Do you think he'll be okay?"
Kael followed her gaze. "I don't know. He did something right at the end… but that doesn't erase what he did before."
"No," Elara agreed. "But maybe it's a start. Even a broken soul deserves a second chance."
Kael touched her cheek. "You believe in people, even when they don't believe in themselves. That's your strength."
"And you're mine," she whispered, lifting his hand to her lips.
Just then, Evelyn approached them, her eyes bright. "Lucien's awake—and being grumpy already."
Elara laughed softly. "That sounds like him."
"He asked for you two. Said he doesn't want to die with only your faces stuck in his memory."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "He's not dying."
"He likes to be dramatic," Evelyn replied, rolling her eyes fondly. "You coming?"
"In a minute," Elara said. Evelyn nodded and returned to the camp.
Elara took a breath. "We should go back to the village. They'll need to know the danger's gone. That it's safe again."
"I've already sent word," Kael said. "But… what about you? What will you do now?"
She looked out once more at the sunrise. "I think I want to rebuild. Not just the village… but everything. A place for people like us. People who've lost too much but still want to live."
Kael nodded slowly. "A sanctuary."
Elara smiled. "Exactly."
They walked down the hill together. When they reached Lucien, he was leaning against Evelyn with an exaggerated groan.
"Took you long enough," he muttered, though his eyes glowed with amusement.
Elara knelt beside him. "You look like hell."
"I feel worse," Lucien replied. Then he looked at her seriously. "But… thanks for not letting me go."
"I think Evelyn did most of the saving."
"I just screamed the loudest," Evelyn said with a wink.
Lucien chuckled. "Whatever works."
A hush fell for a moment, broken only by birdsong.
Then Elara said, "It's time we start again. No more running. No more fear."
Lucien nodded. "I'm in."
Evelyn smiled. "Me too."
Thorne approached slowly, hesitating. Elara stood, and Kael moved closer.
"I'll leave after today," Thorne said quietly. "I know I don't deserve—"
"You don't have to leave," Elara interrupted. "But you do have to decide what kind of man you want to become."
Thorne looked down. "I don't know yet."
"Then stay until you do," Kael said. "Help us build something better."
Thorne looked between them, and for the first time… he nodded.
The group stood together in silence, the morning wrapping them in light.
Later that day, Elara returned to the ruins alone. She traced her fingers over the old stone, the carved sigils that once meant safety, now faded with time. Her eyes closed.
Memories came—of screams, fire, blood. But also of laughter, of Kael's smile, Evelyn's fierce loyalty, Lucien's sarcasm, Thorne's conflicted heart.
And through it all… love.
She opened her eyes.
This was not the end of her story.
It was only the beginning.