**Chapter 35: The Weight of Peace**
The walk back to the Star Sanctuary was filled with an uneasy silence. The air felt heavier, laden with the lingering echoes of Alexander's unfinished story now laid to rest. Eliza's thoughts were tangled, her mind replaying the final moments over and over. She had completed his story, but in doing so, it felt like she had severed something within herself—something she wasn't sure she could regain.
Ariel stayed close by, casting glances at Eliza every so often, but saying nothing. Elsa and Mulan walked ahead, their figures strong and resolute, though even they seemed quieter than usual. They had faced many challenges together, but this felt different—more personal.
When the walls of the Sanctuary finally came into view, Eliza felt a strange mix of relief and dread. The Forgotten were waiting there, rebuilding their lives piece by piece. They had no idea what had just transpired, and Eliza wasn't sure how to explain it. How could she tell them that even in victory, they were still haunted by the remnants of unfinished stories?
As they entered the Sanctuary, the peaceful sound of water trickling from a nearby fountain greeted them. Lanterns had been lit, casting a warm glow across the courtyard. The Forgotten moved slowly, carefully, as if each step was a test of who they had become now that Malgath's grip on them was gone.
Tiana approached, her hands dusty from the day's work. She smiled warmly at the group. "You're back. How did it go?"
Eliza met her gaze, unsure of how to respond. "We… found what we were looking for."
Elsa stepped forward, her eyes still cold and sharp as they always were when danger loomed. "Alexander's story was left incomplete. Eliza finished it."
Tiana's smile faltered, and she glanced between them, her expression thoughtful. "Then he's… gone?"
Eliza nodded. "He's at peace now. His story has ended, but in doing so, I feel like the balance is still fragile. It's as if, no matter how many victories we achieve, there's always something waiting to remind us that peace can slip through our fingers."
Tiana tilted her head, her eyes filled with a compassion that only a ruler could understand. "Peace is fragile, yes. But that doesn't mean it's unattainable."
Eliza lowered her gaze, her thoughts drifting back to the weight of the First Story, the immense responsibility she now bore as Story Keeper. "I don't know how to keep everything in balance. I'm not sure I ever did."
Tiana reached out, placing a hand on Eliza's arm. "You've done more than anyone could have asked, Eliza. You brought us through a war, helped the Forgotten find themselves again, and now… you've helped Alexander find peace. The balance isn't something we can hold in our hands forever. It's something we fight for, every day."
Eliza blinked, absorbing Tiana's words. She wanted to believe that was true—that the weight of the realms didn't rest entirely on her shoulders, that the fight was something they all shared. But deep down, she felt the tug of the First Story's magic, reminding her that her role was unlike any other.
Ariel, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "The whispers are gone now. I don't hear them anymore."
Eliza glanced at the young mermaid. "Do you think that means there's nothing left?"
Ariel's eyes were filled with uncertainty. "I'm not sure. But whatever was calling out… it's silent now."
Elsa crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "We've dealt with one unfinished story, but we don't know how many more are out there. The realms are vast, and the magic that ties them together is unpredictable."
Mulan, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward. "We should be prepared for whatever comes next. Alexander's story may be over, but that doesn't mean we're free from danger."
Eliza looked at her companions—their faces etched with the weight of their experiences—and realized that they all carried the same burden. It wasn't just hers to bear.
"Whatever comes next," she said, her voice firm, "we'll face it together."
The others nodded, a quiet determination settling over them. They had fought together through darkness, and they would do so again if need be.
As the evening deepened and the stars began to appear overhead, Eliza wandered to the edge of the Sanctuary, where the Story Tree stood, its golden leaves rustling gently in the breeze. She placed her hand on its trunk, feeling the familiar hum of magic pulsing beneath her fingertips. It was comforting, in a way—reminding her that no matter what happened, the realms were still connected. The stories, both told and untold, would continue.
But as she stood there, staring out at the horizon, a soft voice whispered in her mind—a voice she hadn't expected to hear again.
"Eliza…"
Her heart skipped a beat. It was faint, barely there, but unmistakable. Alexander.
She closed her eyes, focusing on the voice, trying to understand what it meant. His story was finished, wasn't it? He was at peace.
But then, another whisper followed, this one different. A voice she didn't recognize.
"Eliza… the stories… they never truly end."
Her eyes snapped open, and she pulled her hand away from the tree, her breath catching in her throat. She scanned the horizon, but nothing stirred in the night. The realms were quiet. Too quiet.
She turned back toward the Sanctuary, her mind racing. Had she been wrong? Had something been left unfinished after all?
Whatever it was, the magic of the First Story was not done with her yet.