Evander and his team remained in the cavern, driven by a singular purpose: to free the Queen of Dragons from her crystalline prison. The work was grueling, their efforts painstakingly slow. Each day brought new theories, new approaches, and more trial and error. The magic binding Vera was ancient and intricately woven, its complexity a testament to Alaric's immense power.
For thirty-seven days, they toiled, analyzing the spell from every angle. They charted the points where the magic was weakest, tested the resonance of the crystals, and calculated how to match the flow of power without triggering catastrophic backlash. It wasn't just about breaking the spell—it was about doing so safely, ensuring Vera survived the process.
Finally, on the thirty-seventh night, they had their answer. Evander gathered the fifteen dragons he trusted most, each one a master of their craft, each one willing to give their all for the rebellion. Together, they stood in a circle around the crystalline structure, their claws and hands raised, their magic coiling like threads of light in the air.
The cavern thrummed with energy, a symphony of power as they began. The air grew heavy, charged with the weight of their combined strength. Each dragon focused intently, following the precise flow they had devised—pouring just enough energy, at just the right moment, to unravel the spell without triggering its deadly traps.
Hour after hour, they worked, sweat dripping from their brows, their breaths coming in labored gasps. The crystals resisted, their glow pulsing like a heartbeat, as if clinging to the power that kept them intact. But the dragons pressed on, their determination unwavering.
After twenty-four grueling hours, it happened.
The first crack appeared—a jagged line that split across the surface of the crystal. Then another. And another. The spell unraveled like a web of threads being cut, the light within the crystals dimming, flickering, and finally extinguishing.
With a shattering sound that echoed through the cavern, the crystals crumbled, and Vera fell.
Evander surged forward, catching her before she hit the ground. Her body was cold, her breaths shallow, but she was alive.
"Queen Vera," he whispered, his voice trembling with a mixture of relief and awe.
Her eyes fluttered open, revealing golden irises that burned with a faint, otherworldly light. For a moment, she seemed disoriented, her gaze darting around the cavern before settling on Evander.
"Who…" she began, her voice hoarse from centuries of silence.
"Evander," he replied gently. "I'm a leader of the resistance against Alaric. We've freed you. You're safe now."
Vera's expression shifted, a mixture of relief, sorrow, and something else—something darker. She tried to rise, but her strength failed her, and Evander tightened his grip to support her.
"Alaric…" she whispered, her voice laced with both bitterness and grief.
"Still alive," Evander confirmed. "And ruling as a tyrant. He's destroyed the Divine Realm, Vera. We need your help to stop him."
At his words, a flicker of fire reignited in her eyes. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she nodded weakly. "Then I will help you," she said, her voice gaining strength. "Not just for the realm, but for Caleb…and for myself."