NEXT DAY -NIGHTAfter a long day of fierce battles against Marcelos' armies, the enemy forces had finally retreated. Night had fallen over the Kingdom.After finishing their evening meal, the Great King sat together with the kings, princes, princesses, Zussorender, Lord Emmanuel, the Head Wizards, the generals, and the Head Guard, discussing the events of the day.When their conversation came to an end, the Great King handed over his sword and ordered the Head Guard to return it to his chamber."As you command, Your Majesty," the Head Guard said respectfully.Taking the legendary sword, he bowed and departed.No sooner had he left than Noah, Prince Mike, Prince Redrick, and Prince Kinsley rose from their seats, pretending that they were retiring to their chambers to sleep. Instead, they secretly followed the Head Guard.The Head Guard walked through the quiet passageway leading to the Great King's chamber, carrying the Great King's sword with utmost care. Suddenly, four figures emerge

The princes, the princesses, and Hawk were hurled back into the tent by the force of the Marcelos. They crashed onto the ground in a tangle of bodies and chains, dust rising around them.Hawk landed the hardest. He hit the ground with a painful thud, his weakened body unable to absorb the impact. A sharp groan escaped his lips as he struggled to move.Immediately, the princes and princesses rushed toward him. Despite the chains restraining their hands, they helped him sit upright against one of the wooden support poles of the tent.The moment Hawk was settled, Princess Tracy moved beside him.Without hesitation, she wrapped her body around him in a desperate embrace. Her chained hands prevented her from holding him properly, but she pressed herself against him as though afraid he might disappear again.The others exchanged warm smiles before sitting together nearby.For a few moments, nobody spoke. They were simply relieved that Hawk was alive.Hawk looked down at Tracy and smiled weak

After leaving the princes, the princesses, and Hawk... Lilia wandered away from the camp in silence, seeking a place where no one would disturb her.She eventually found a quiet spot beneath the shadow of a great tree. Lowering herself onto the cool grass, she hugged her knees and stared into the darkness.Her thoughts refused to settle. Everything Hawk and Princess Tracy had told her echoed endlessly inside her mind: Was it really true? Could my family truly be responsible for all of this?She wanted to reject every word they had spoken. She wanted to believe they were lying. But there was one thing she could never ignore: Her heart.Ever since she had begun traveling with Zussorader and Philip, something deep inside her had constantly whispered that the path they walked was wrong. She had ignored that feeling countless times, convincing herself she was simply overthinking. Now... That same voice urged her to believe Hawk.After a long silence, Lilia slowly closed her eyes. She whisp

Very early in the morning, long before the first light of dawn could touch the horizon, every defender of Axrax had already taken his position.The battlements were once again lined with soldiers, archers, wizards, and the Light Army. Shields were raised, bows were strung, and magical energy quietly gathered around staffs as everyone prepared themselves for another day of bloodshed.By the Great King's command, however, the princes and princesses remained within the palace grounds. Though they desperately wished to return to the walls, none dared disobey his order. Instead, they stood together beneath the pavilion, watching the distant battlements with anxious hearts, waiting for news of the battle that was certain to begin.Outside the kingdom walls, Marcelos' armies had reorganized.At the West Gate, Marcelos himself waited upon the back of Bane. Three Marcs hovered nearby upon their Dark Phoenixes while countless Orges mounted upon Orgmus, Dark Druids riding Garrlys, Gargoyles, and

By the break of dawn, the treatment halls had grown quiet.Through the combined efforts of Zussorender and the remaining wizards, the three wounded kings, the two head generals, the head wizards, the other generals, and the injured soldiers had all been magically healed. Their wounds had closed, broken bones had been restored, and they were once again fit to fight.Not everyone, however, could return to the battlefield. Those who had lost arms, legs, or other parts of their bodies were honorably discharged from the army and sent back to their families. Their war was over.Across Axrax, the defenders once again took their positions. Every gate. Every battlement. Every tower.The soldiers stood in disciplined formations, gripping their weapons tightly as they stared beyond the walls.Outside the gates, Marcelos calmly raised his hand. The corpses of the soldiers who had fallen the previous day—whose bodies still lay piled before the gates—slowly began to stir.One after another, they r