Within the inner courtyard of the Sanctuary—where golden sun rays spilled over flowering trees and a quiet stream whispered through smooth stones—father and son stood alone.
Seraphine watched from the balcony above, her heart beating slowly in her chest.
Caelum's brows were furrowed, his fists clenched at his sides. "I don't want to hurt anyone again, Father. Last time I couldn't stop it. The tree exploded. The ground cracked."
"You didn't hurt anyone," Alaric said gently, his voice steady like iron wrapped in velvet. "Your power is vast, yes. But it's not a curse, Caelum. It's your birthright."
He stepped closer and knelt, so their eyes met—one man to another.
"My father was a tyrant who wielded power like a weapon," Alaric continued. "But you? You have the chance to use it differently. You don't have to be feared. You can be respected."
Caelum's eyes glimmered. "But what if I lose control again?"
Alaric smiled faintly, placing a hand on his son's chest. "Then I'll be there to hold you steady. You're not alone anymore."
The moment shimmered with quiet magic. Seraphine's hand clutched the balcony rail, her lips parting slightly as her eyes moistened. Seeing Alaric like this—not the feared king of blood and darkness, but a father who loved—filled her with something warm, deep, and ancient. Something she thought she'd lost in all their chaos.
"Let's begin," Alaric said, standing tall now.
He extended his hand, and Caelum took it without hesitation.
"Feel the stream around you," Alaric instructed. "The energy of the world—it breathes. Just like you."
Caelum closed his eyes. The wind rustled the grass beneath his feet. His white hair shimmered faintly in the light. Slowly, the spark within him stirred—but this time it didn't surge out wildly.
Alaric whispered something in the old elven tongue, and a soft ring of green light enveloped them both.
Seraphine gasped quietly.
The Father's Flame met the Son's Spark.
Caelum opened his eyes—and they gleamed faintly silver. His hair drifted slightly as if underwater.
"I feel it," he said, breathless. "It's not burning me this time. It's... singing."
"That's the song of your elven blood," Alaric replied, smiling proudly. "You are more than just my son, Caelum. You're the bridge between all our worlds."
Suddenly, flowers bloomed around them, trees shimmering with vibrant energy—responding to Caelum's awakened control.
Seraphine stepped down quietly, unable to stay away any longer. She moved toward them, barefoot on the grass.
Alaric turned first, as if sensing her before he saw her.
"Come," he said gently.
Seraphine knelt beside them. Caelum threw his arms around her neck.
"I did it, Mama. I didn't break anything this time!"
She laughed through her tears, hugging him tightly. "You did more than that. You created beauty."
Alaric placed a hand on her back, his eyes locking with hers. "He's ready. Whatever darkness comes—we'll face it together."
High above them, the Sanctuary wards glimmered with layered sigils and enchantments. But somewhere far beyond those defenses, Malrik's gaze returned to his mirror, his patience growing thinner.
"The seed has bloomed," he hissed. "Now let's see if the roots can withstand the coming storm…"
For once, the air in the Sanctuary was gentle.
Alaric sat under the silver-barked tree in the courtyard, a rare softness on his face as he watched Caelum run barefoot through the wildflowers.
"Slower, Caelum," Seraphine called, laughter in her voice. "You'll fall again."
"I won't!" the boy shouted, leaping through the tall grass with the grace of something not quite human—but entirely innocent. "Daddy said I'm getting faster!"
Alaric chuckled, leaning back on one arm. "He's not wrong."
Seraphine moved toward them, her pale dress fluttering around her ankles. She knelt beside Alaric, resting her hand gently on his shoulder.
"He's happy," she said quietly, watching their son with pride glowing in her eyes.
Alaric reached for her hand, bringing it to his lips. "Because he has you. He knows what it feels like to be loved."
"And you," she replied, voice soft. "Don't you dare leave yourself out of this."
Their eyes met, and in that moment, the centuries of sorrow, betrayal, and longing that once defined them... all melted into a single truth: they were a family now.
Caelum finally collapsed into the grass beside them, giggling and breathless. "Can we stay like this forever?"
Alaric leaned down and gathered the boy into his arms, cradling him effortlessly.
"I wish we could," he said.
"Why can't we?" Caelum asked, his tone sleepy as he nestled into his father's chest.
"Because peace," Seraphine answered softly, brushing Caelum's hair from his forehead, "is something we have to protect."
Caelum blinked slowly, absorbing the meaning. "From bad people?"
"Yes," Alaric murmured. "But don't worry. We'll protect each other. That's what families do."
The warmth of the moment wrapped around them like a cocoon. Seraphine curled against Alaric's side as Caelum drifted into sleep in his father's arms. Time seemed to pause.
No crown.
No wars.
No prophecy.
Just them.
From a nearby veranda, Carlos watched quietly, sipping tea. A small smile played on his lips, though his eyes held the wisdom of a man who had known too much pain. Beside him, Lady Maika stood in silence, arms crossed, but even her cold demeanor softened at the sight.
"A king, a queen... and a child born of all worlds," Maika said, her voice low. "I only hope fate shows them mercy."
Carlos said nothing. He simply looked up at the sky, watching as a soft flock of birds soared past the sun. For now, there was peace. And for now, that was enough.
But deep beneath the roots of the Sanctuary, where the earth had never seen light, something stirred.
A shadow whispered across ancient stone.
A mirror cracked.
And Malrik smiled.