The storm continued to rage around the castle.
Cold winds howled through the shattered windows of the ruined lobby.
Long curtains danced wildly in the darkness.
The bride remained tied to a chair in the center of the hall.
Her hair flowed with the violent wind.
The strange mark beneath her neck glowed faintly.
Zarkoon stared at it with excitement.
"Interesting..."
Slowly, he stepped forward.
His fingers reached toward the mark.
The moment his hand touched it—
CRIMSON LIGHT EXPLODED THROUGH THE ROOM.
"AHHHHHHH!"
The bride screamed.
Pain surged through her body.
The mark turned bright red.
The entire lobby trembled.
Zarkoon immediately jumped backward.
"Whoa!"
"That scared me!"
The bride struggled against the ropes.
Tears formed in her eyes.
"Leave me alone!"
Vesper rubbed his forehead.
"Can you stop making everything worse?"
"You touch random things and then act surprised."
Zarkoon pointed dramatically.
"It attacked me first."
"You saw it."
"No respect at all."
Vesper sighed.
Sometimes he genuinely wondered why he still worked with this idiot.
---
Meanwhile...
On the upper floor of the castle...
Pixie and Hina finally arrived.
They cautiously peeked down toward the lobby.
The moment Pixie saw Zarkoon and Vesper, his expression changed.
His face became serious.
Dangerously serious.
Without warning, he grabbed Hina's hand.
"Come."
Hina blinked.
"What are you doing?"
"We need to leave."
"Now."
Hina frowned.
"I can fight too."
Pixie shook his head.
"No."
His voice was firm.
"They're not opponents you can handle."
The powerful wind rushed through the hallway.
Hina looked toward the broken windows.
"This pressure..."
"It doesn't feel normal."
Pixie's eyes widened.
"Yuki..."
Before Hina could react—
THUD!
Pixie grabbed a nearby vase and struck her head.
Hina's eyes widened in disbelief.
Then darkness swallowed her vision.
She collapsed into his arms.
"Sorry."
Pixie whispered.
He carried her into a nearby room.
Locked the door.
Then turned around.
And walked toward the stairs alone.
Step.
Step.
Step.
The lobby slowly came into view.
Zarkoon noticed him first.
A huge grin appeared on his face.
"Oh?"
"Look who finally decided to join us."
Vesper turned.
His eyes narrowed.
"Pixie."
The atmosphere instantly became heavy.
---
Outside the castle...
Yuki stood atop a hill overlooking the battlefield.
The war still raged below.
Flames burned across the land.
Smoke rose into the stormy sky.
Yuki tightened her grip on her sword.
Her eyes were cold.
Filled with purpose.
Filled with anger.
"I'll kill you, Pixie."
Then she ran.
---
She descended the hill like a storm itself.
Moments later she reached the battlefield.
Chaos surrounded her.
Soldiers fought rebels.
Men screamed.
Weapons clashed.
The ground shook from explosions.
Yet Yuki never stopped moving.
Several fighters rushed toward her.
She dodged.
Countered.
Her sword flashed.
A powerful burst of wind exploded outward.
Several attackers fell instantly.
The battlefield froze.
Everyone stared at her.
Yuki stepped forward.
Her voice echoed across the battlefield.
"What are you doing?"
Silence.
"Why are you killing each other?"
No one answered.
Finally, a man shouted back.
"We want change!"
"We want our rights!"
Yuki looked at him.
Then looked at the wounded.
The dead.
The burning homes.
The frightened civilians.
She slowly raised her hand.
"Let's say you succeed."
"Let's say the king changes."
Her eyes swept across the battlefield.
"But if everyone dies..."
"What king remains to rule?"
Silence spread.
The fighters lowered their weapons.
Yuki continued.
"If you die here..."
"What happens to your family?"
"Your wife?"
"Your children?"
"Your parents?"
No one answered.
The storm howled around them.
"You deserve rights."
"You deserve justice."
"But killing each other won't create either."
"It will only destroy your nation."
The battlefield became silent.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
One rebel slowly lowered his sword.
"She's right."
Another nodded.
"If we keep fighting..."
"There won't be anyone left."
One by one...
Weapons lowered.
The anger disappeared.
People began helping the wounded.
Some carried injured soldiers.
Others helped civilians.
The war didn't end completely.
But for the first time that day...
Peace returned.
Even if only for a moment.
Yuki watched them leave.
Then she turned.
And ran toward the castle.
---
Far above the battlefield...
Elysia rode upon her Water Dragon.
She looked down at the kingdom.
The sounds of destruction were fading.
The battlefield had calmed.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Then—
She noticed someone.
On a distant hill.
Sitting beneath a tree.
Alone.
Silent.
"Elysia..."
She immediately changed direction.
The Water Dragon descended.
Moments later she landed atop the hill.
The figure slowly opened her eyes.
Silver hair danced in the wind.
"Zoe."
Elysia's eyes widened.
"Zoe!"
She rushed forward.
Without hesitation she hugged her.
Zoe smiled softly.
"It's good to see you too."
Elysia pulled back.
"What are you doing here?"
Zoe looked toward the horizon.
The battlefield.
The smoke.
The castle.
Then smiled.
"Enjoying a little peace."
"After a very long time."
Elysia frowned.
"People are attacking the castle."
"The wedding is ruined."
"The kingdom is falling apart."
"I know."
Elysia froze.
"You know?"
Zoe nodded.
"I know everything."
The smile slowly vanished from her face.
"I fought Weston."
Elysia's eyes widened.
"And?"
Zoe lowered her gaze.
In her hands rested a familiar sword.
A sword Elysia recognized instantly.
"Hiyori's sword..."
Zoe nodded.
"Weston told me everything."
"The truth."
"And before he disappeared..."
"He gave this to me."
The storm continued to rage above them.
And for the first time...
Elysia felt that the truth behind this entire tragedy was finally beginning to surface.