The victory over Malakai was short-lived. As the Guardians began their journey back to the capital city, Kaelara suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground. The others rushed to her side, concern etched on their faces.
"Lirien, help me!" Raven cried out, his voice laced with panic.
Lirien rushed to Kaelara's side, her eyes scanning the princess's pale face. "What's happening?" she asked, her voice firm and controlled.
"I... I don't know," Kaelara whispered, her voice weak. "I just felt... a sudden exhaustion. It's as if my energy is draining away."
Raven knelt beside her, his eyes filled with worry. "We need to get you back to the palace," he said, his voice firm.
The Shadow Queen nodded in agreement. "I can sense dark magic at work here. We must take Kaelara back to the palace and get her treated immediately."
With great care, the Guardians carried Kaelara back to the capital city. As they arrived, the kingdom's healers rushed to attend to her, using every ounce of their knowledge to restore her health.
Raven was by her side, refusing to leave her bedside until she recovered. But as the days passed, Kaelara's condition only worsened. The healers were baffled by her illness, and Raven's anxiety grew with each passing moment.
The Shadow Queen tried to reassure him that they would find a way to save Kaelara, but even her powers seemed unable to penetrate the darkness that had taken hold of the princess.
In the midst of this crisis, news arrived from Raven's kingdom that his parents had called upon him to return home for an urgent matter. They needed him to fulfill an ancient promise, one that could not be delayed any longer.
Raven was torn between his duty to his kingdom and his love for Kaelara. He knew that he could not abandon his kingdom in times of need, but his heart yearned to stay by Kaelara's side.
Lirien approached him with a gentle smile. "You must go," she said softly. "Your kingdom needs you now more than ever. I will stay with Kaelara and do everything in my power to help her recover."
Raven's eyes filled with tears as he gazed at Lirien and then at Kaelara's pale face. He knew that he had no choice but to leave, but his heart felt heavy with sorrow.
With a heavy heart, Raven bid farewell to Lirien and set off for his kingdom, leaving behind the uncertainty of Kaelara's fate.