The world seemed quieter than it should have been. In the middle of whirling chaos with cracks in reality and widening voids, Vivienne sat alone in the abandoned chapel, her fingers tracing worn carvings on the pew in front of her. Sunlight streamed through shattered stained glass, casting fractured rainbows across her face.
She hadn't come here to pray-she wasn't even sure to whom in a world going to pieces. She had come to think, to try to make sense of what Leona had said to her earlier.
"You were always meant to be the heroine," Leona had said, her tone thick with gravity. "This story cannot survive without you stepping into your place."
The weight of those words lay heavy on Vivienne's chest. A heroine. She had once dreamed of being someone strong, someone brave. But those dreams had been buried beneath layers of betrayal and doubt, replaced by a bitter cynicism she hadn't even realized she carried until recently.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the chapel door creaking open. Vivienne tensed, her hand instinctively reaching for the dagger hidden beneath her skirts—a habit she had picked up during her secret training.
"Relax," came a familiar voice.
Vivienne turned to see Leona standing in the doorway, her expression a mixture of relief and determination. "You've gotten better at sensing danger," Leona remarked with a small smile.
"Out of necessity," Vivienne returned more sharply than she meant to.
Leona stepped inside, her boots resounding against the stone floor. "We don't have much time," she said without beating around the bush. "The voids spread quicker. If you do nothing now, there will be nothing left worth saving."
Vivienne scowled, leaning back against the pew. "You keep saying that, but what exactly are you expecting of me? Smile sweetly, swoon in Cedric's arms, and let him save the day? That's no longer who I am, Leona."
Leona shook her head, her eyes aflame. "No, that is not what I am asking. I don't want you to be some damsel waiting for rescue. I want you to be the Vivienne you are supposed to be-a leader, a fighter, a heroine who inspires others. You're more than capable of saving this world, but only if you believe it."
For a long moment, Vivienne said nothing. Then, she turned away, her voice barely above a whisper: "It's not that simple. I trusted people once before, and it nearly destroyed me. How am I supposed to lead anyone when I can't even trust myself?
Leona moved closer, kneeling beside her. "Because you've already proven that you can. You've been training in secret, preparing yourself for something, even if you didn't know what it was. And you've shown more courage than anyone else I've met in this world. You're not defined by your past, Vivienne—you're defined by the choices you make now."
Vivienne's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but there was a spark there-a tiny ember that hadn't quite gone out.
Before either of them could say more, the chapel shuddered. A crack appeared in the wall, spreading like a spiderweb. The sound was deafening, like stone being torn apart by unseen forces.
Leona grabbed Vivienne's arm, pulling her to her feet. "We don't have time for doubts. You need to confront Magnus."
Vivienne's head jerked toward her. "Magnus? Are you crazy? He's the most dangerous man in the kingdom!"
"Exactly," Leona said, clamping down on her grip. "And he's also the one pulling the strings from behind all this chaos. Unless we stop him right now, the voids will consume everything."
Vivienne hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. The thought of facing Magnus was terrifying. He was ruthless, cunning, and utterly unpredictable. But then she remembered something Leona had said: You're not defined by your past. You're defined by the choices you make now.
Taking a deep breath, Vivienne nodded. "Fine. Let's do this."
The ride to Magnus' fortress was somber and silent. Leona led the way, her face set in grim determination. Vivienne followed close behind, her hand never straying far from the hilt of her dagger.
When they reached the gates, they were met by two guards who more resembled common mercenaries. Their armor was mismatched, their weapons well-worn.
"Halt!" one of them barked, raising his spear. "State your business."
Leona stepped forward. Her voice didn't waver. "We are here to see Duke Magnus. Tell him it's about the cracks."
The guards exchanged wary glances before one of them disappeared inside. After a few tense moments, the gates creaked open.
Magnus was waiting for them in his study, a grand room lined with shelves of books and maps. He stood by the window, his back to them, staring out at the darkened sky.
"So," he said without turning around, his voice low and menacing. "The heroine finally decides to grace me with her presence."
Vivienne stiffened, but she forced herself to step forward. "I'm not here to play games, Magnus."
He turned then, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "No, I suppose you're not. But tell me, Vivienne, what makes you think you can stop me?"
Leona watched from the sidelines, her heart in her throat. This was Vivienne's moment—a turning point in the story. If she faltered now, everything would be lost.
Vivienne squared her shoulders, meeting Magnus' gaze without flinching. "Because you're not the monster you pretend to be. You're angry, yes. But that anger comes from pain, not malice. And if you keep letting it consume you, you'll destroy everything-including yourself."
Magnus' eyes narrowed, but there was a flicker of something else there-something vulnerable.
"You think you know me?" he said, his voice harsh.
"I know enough," Vivienne replied, her tone firm. "I know you once cared about this kingdom, about its people. You can care again, Magnus. But only if you choose to."
For a long moment, Magnus said nothing. The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words.
Then, with a slow movement, he sank into a chair, his shoulders sagging as if under the weight of the world. "You're more like her than I thought," he whispered.
"Her?" Vivienne repeated, taking a step closer.
Magnus looked up at her, his face unreadable. "The woman I once loved. She had the same fire, the same determination. And she died because of it."
The raw pain in his voice ached in Vivienne's heart. "I'm sorry for your loss," she said softly. "But that doesn't mean you have to keep punishing yourself-and everyone else-for it."
Leona felt a surge of hope as she watched the exchange. This was it. Vivienne was stepping into her role as the heroine, not just in action but in spirit. She was doing what no one else could—reaching Magnus on a level that went beyond power or politics.
Magnus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish. Either way, you've made your point."
"Does that mean you'll help us?" Vivienne asked.
Magnus hesitated, then nodded. "I'll consider it. But if you betray me—"
"I won't," Vivienne interrupted, her voice unshakeable.
Magnus regarded her a moment longer before rising. "Very well. Let's see if you're as capable as you say you are."
Once they exited the keep, Leona turned to her, the faintest glimmer of a smile playing on her lips. "You did it."
Vivienne shook her head, a determined glint in her eyes. "No. This is just the beginning."
And for the first time in a long while, Leona believed her.