Kael collapsed to the ground, his body spent, his vision swimming. He could hear Seraphine and Aeron calling his name, their voices distant, muffled. The world around him began to fade, the edges of his consciousness blurring as the exhaustion took hold.But before the darkness claimed him, Kael allowed himself one final thought.He had done it.For now, the kingdom was safe.Kael awoke to the sound of crackling flames and the smell of burning wood. His entire body ached, every muscle sore from the battle. He opened his eyes slowly, wincing at the pain, and found himself lying in a small tent. The dim light of the fire flickered outside, casting shadows on the canvas walls.Seraphine was sitting beside him, her expression grim. When she saw him stir, she leaned forward, her eyes searching his face."You're awake," she said, her voice laced with relief, though it was tempered by something darker.Kael groaned as he tried to sit up, his body protesting the movement. "How long was I out?""Two days," Seraphine replied, handing him a small cup of water. "You were pretty beat up."Kael drank the water slowly, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat. "What about the others? Did we...?""We did it," Seraphine confirmed, her expression softening slightly. "The creature's gone. The portal's closed. The kingdom is safe—for now."Kael nodded, relief washing over him. But even as he processed the victory, a dark realization settled in the pit of his stomach. He had drawn on the dark magic again, had unleashed the very power that had started this entire mess. And though the creature was gone, the darkness inside him remained."You're not off the hook," Seraphine said, as if reading his thoughts. "You helped us stop the monster, but that doesn't erase everything you've done."Kael looked away, unable to meet her gaze. He had known this moment was coming, had expected it. He wasn't a hero. He had done terrible things, things that couldn't be undone. And now, even after saving the kingdom, he still had to face the consequences of his actions."I know," Kael said quietly. "I'm ready to face whatever comes next."Seraphine stood, her eyes hard. "Good. Because this isn't over. You may have saved the kingdom, but you've also damned yourself. And we're going to make sure you answer for that."Kael closed his eyes, the weight of his sins pressing down on him. He had unleashed the darkness, and now, no matter what he did, it would never fully release him.But even as he accepted his fate, a part of him couldn't help but wonder if, somehow, there was still a way to atone.If there was still a path to redemption—no matter how dark it might be.