As the dust settled above the shattered ruins of the Imperial Castle, the once-chaotic battlefield turned eerily silent. The massive dragon wings that had shielded the Phoenix Empress from view gradually retracted, shrinking and disappearing into Aengus' human form, leaving him standing tall.
Beside him, the Phoenix Empress, now transformed in both demeanor and presence, stood quietly. Her fiery, unrelenting rage was gone, replaced by a serene composure. Her eyes, which once blazed with pride and fury, now glimmered with a calm and peaceful light.
The sight left Vira momentarily stunned, but relief quickly washed over him. Without hesitation, he rushed forward, his gaze fixed on the petite figure of his wife.
"Claudia, are you okay?" Vira's voice trembled as he gently wrapped his arms around her, lifting her with the tenderness of a man who had waited lifetimes to feel her close again.
