Ever since that fateful day in the grand hall, the relationship between Vera and Alaric had unraveled further. Their love, once as fierce as dragonfire, was now reduced to little more than ash. They barely spoke, their once-shared moments of quiet intimacy replaced by cold silences and unspoken words.
The only thread connecting them was their son, Caleb. He was the last spark of joy in Vera's life, a reminder of the love she and Alaric once shared. Caleb, with his bright eyes full of curiosity and his innocent laughter, was everything to her. But even his presence wasn't enough to bridge the growing chasm between his parents.
Years turned into decades, and decades into centuries—200 years, to be precise. Dragons lived differently from humans, but time was not a mercy to Vera. The weight of her unhappiness grew unbearable. Watching Alaric grow colder with each passing year, seeing his indifference toward her become an unshakable reality, she knew she couldn't endure it any longer.
Caleb, though still young by human standards, was old enough by dragon measures. Though he appeared to be no more than a five-year-old child, he had inherited both the strength and resilience of his lineage. Vera convinced herself that he would understand, that he would adapt. She made her decision: it was time to leave.
Alaric, as always, was in the cave. It was a place he had retreated to often in recent years—a sanctuary, perhaps, though Vera could never quite understand what solace he found there. The cave was unlike anything in the kingdom. Its walls shimmered with glowing crystals, casting an ethereal light that bathed the cavern in shades of azure and silver. Blue grass, impossibly soft and faintly luminescent, grew across the ground, creating an otherworldly beauty that felt almost sacred.
She found him standing in the center, his back turned to her. The sight of him—so commanding, so unreachable—filled her with equal parts sadness and anger. Caleb clung to her hand, his tiny fingers a grounding presence as she gathered her courage.
"Alaric," she began, her voice trembling but resolute.
He turned slightly, acknowledging her with a glance, though his expression remained unreadable. The cool glow of the crystals reflected in his eyes, making them seem even colder.
"I'm leaving," she said, the words heavy with finality. "I cannot stand this anymore. And Caleb is coming with me."
Alaric's head tilted slightly, as if he hadn't heard her correctly. Then, he laughed softly—a sound devoid of warmth. "Leaving? You?" His tone was incredulous, mocking. "Leaving me?" He made it sound as though the very idea was absurd, impossible.
"Yes." Vera straightened her back, forcing steel into her voice. "I'm leaving."
He turned fully now, his icy gaze locking onto hers. "You're not allowed to."
The words, spoken so casually, sent a chill down Vera's spine. She had expected resistance, but the sheer arrogance of his response ignited her anger.
"I don't need your permission, Alaric!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the cavern. "Nothing you say or do will stop me." She tightened her grip on Caleb's hand, as if to anchor herself in the storm of emotions swirling within her.
She turned, her steps firm as she began to walk toward the tunnel. "I've made up my mind," she said, her voice steady. "We're leaving. Now."
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then, the atmosphere shifted.
The air grew colder, heavy with a suffocating pressure that made Vera stop in her tracks. She turned quickly, her instincts screaming danger, but before she could fully face him, a force unlike anything she had ever felt slammed into her.
The impact knocked the breath from her lungs as she was thrown against the crystal-covered wall. The jagged edges bit into her back, pinning her there with an unrelenting grip. She struggled, her arms flailing as she tried to push herself free, but it was futile.
"Wait… wait!" she pleaded, her voice cracking under the weight of her fear.
Alaric stepped forward, his expression as cold and impassive as ever. "It's too late for that," he said, his tone devoid of sympathy.
Vera's heart pounded as she felt the crystals begin to grow, their sharp edges creeping over her arms, her legs, her torso. "Alaric!" she cried, desperation seeping into her voice. "Please, don't do this!"
He didn't answer. He didn't even look at her.
The crystals continued to encase her, climbing higher until they reached her throat. Vera turned her head as much as she could, her tear-filled eyes searching for Caleb. He stood there, his small face filled with confusion and fear.
"Caleb…" she choked out, her voice barely audible. She wanted to say something—anything—but the crystals surged over her face, silencing her forever. Her last expression, frozen in the glimmering prison, was one of sorrow. A single tear slid down her cheek, captured in the crystalline embrace.
Caleb, blissfully unaware of the horror that had just unfolded, ran to his father.
"Daddy! Daddy!" he called, tugging at Alaric's robe. "What happened to Mommy?"
Alaric bent down and scooped the boy into his arms, his expression softening for the first time.
"Your mother?" he said, his voice quiet. "She's… just resting for a while."
Caleb nodded, satisfied with the answer, and rested his head against his father's shoulder.
Without another glance at the crystal tomb behind him, Alaric turned and walked out of the cave, his footsteps echoing in the silence. The cave, once vibrant and alive, now felt like a tomb—cold, still, and filled with an unspoken grief.