A few days had passed since the fall of Nazar and the fading of the shadows in the Castle of Black Ashes. With each dawning day, the sun engulfed a land that had known nothing but dark clouds and ash for years.
Around the ruined castle, soldiers and valley dwellers worked together, clearing the ash that had covered the ground and stones, while the wind helped blow the dust farther toward the horizon.
Cleaning the Remains of Shadows:
Lylin walked slowly through the rubble, holding a small golden torch, using it to burn the remnants of shadows lingering in the corners, as she whispered,
"Your time is over... and you will never return."
Eren, meanwhile, led groups of soldiers, using the wind to clear the corridors and courtyards, a calm smile on his face for the first time in a long time.
Burying Memories:
In the central square, soldiers and residents gathered to perform a farewell ritual for the souls taken by the shadows, placing white flowers on the remaining ashes. Lilin raised her hand to release a small golden flame that rose into the sky as a sign of the souls' liberation.
A tear fell from Lilin's eyes, but she smiled as she whispered, "Go in peace... We have restored the light."
Liberation Celebration:
As the sun set, the squares were illuminated by clear fires and a cool, fragrant wind, as residents began singing and dancing to celebrate the end of darkness.
Children ran fearlessly among the dancing flames, the wind gently stirring them, making them look like harmless festive fires.
Eren sat next to Lilin on a stone wall overlooking the square, watching people laugh for the first time in years.
"Can you believe we did it?"
Eren asked, looking up at the clearing sky.
Leylin smiled and said,
"I promised you... I would protect this fire... and today it is a fire of hope, not a fire of destruction."
Building the New World:
The next morning, the Wind Leaders and the survivors gathered in the square, while Eren spoke in a steady voice:
"Yesterday the war ended... and today we begin to rebuild this world."
Leylin raised her hand, lighting the fire in her palm as she said,
"Fire will build, not burn... and we will use it to light the nights, to cook, not to frighten others."
The people began planting trees in the valley, cleaning the rivers polluted by ash, while the winds helped carry water and warming heat to the fire on cold nights.
A Quiet Moment:
At night, Leylin stood on a small hill, shooting a small golden flame into the sky. Eren watched from afar, smiling.
He approached her and said, "Are you saying goodbye to the shadows?"
She replied with a calm smile, "No... I welcome the light."
Chapter Ending:
A soft wind carried the scent of flowers between them, while fire danced between Lilin's fingers, harmlessly.
Eren reached out and took her hand, saying,
"Together... we will rebuild this world."
Lilin smiled with faint tears and said, "Together."
Golden flames rose into the sky, mingling with the clear winds, illuminating the night as a herald of a new era free of shadows and ash.