Back at the camp, Meredith sat by the dwindling fire, the flickering flames casting soft shadows across her face. Her voice was quieter than usual, carrying the weight of distant memories as she spoke to Gabriel and Roderic."I remember a dragon's tomb," Meredith began, her voice quiet but firm, her gaze distant as if recalling something far away. "Not too far from here, on the way to the capital." She paused, her fingers curling slightly against her knees."It was Raphael," she continued after a moment. "Right after Fresia and I caught him mourning over the dragon. He just flew away—and we remembered everything."Gabriel's golden eyes narrowed slightly. "That's strange," he said, his voice low. "Raphael not casting a Forget spell and letting you both remember—it's... unusual.""Maybe he thought we needed to," Meredith murmured, though the uncertainty in her tone lingered. "Then, after several days of searching, we found the tomb."The silence was broken by Roderic shifting slightly in his seat. He hesitated, then unfastened his tunic enough to reveal a faint, glowing mark etched on his chest. The light pulsed softly, rhythmic like a heartbeat.Meredith's gaze lifted sharply, her expression tightening as she stared at the mark."You're marked," she said quietly.Roderic nodded, his tone steady despite the weight of his words."We all have our path," he said. "Some of us now know exactly where it ends."Gabriel's gaze lingered on the mark for a moment before he looked away, his jaw tightening.Meredith didn't say anything further, but the flicker of something unspoken passed across her face as she turned her focus back to the fire.Finally, Meredith straightened, her resolve hardening. "She deserves the honor of the tomb," she said, her voice steady but low.Roderic frowned, his gaze flicking toward her. "Why? Her family —""She wasn't just human anymore," Meredith interrupted, her tone firm but sorrowful. "She became something greater. The tomb isn't just a burial ground—it's a place of honor. That's where she belongs."Gabriel studied her, his expression unreadable. "And her family?"Meredith's gaze dropped briefly, her hands tightening in her lap. "They'll understand. I'll make sure they know her sacrifice wasn't just for them—it was for all of us."She turned to Gabriel, her eyes steady."Help me get to the dragon's tomb," she said firmly, gesturing toward the orb resting by her side.Gabriel gave a short nod. "I'll take you," he said.With Gabriel's help, they made the journey, retracing the path Meredith had once taken. The tomb was as she remembered—a secluded glen veiled by towering pines and twisted vines.The entrance, carved into the mountainside, still shimmered faintly with the remnants of powerful enchantments woven into its stone.But as they stepped inside, both froze. The cavern was far larger than Meredith recalled, opening into a vast expanse that stretched beyond what the faint light could fully reveal.The walls glimmered faintly, catching the glint of countless scales embedded into the stone like frozen starlight. Each scale seemed to hum faintly with a forgotten power, a testament to the many dragons who had found their final rest here.At the center of the cavern stood a raised dais, its surface polished smooth and marked with intricate carvings that pulsed faintly with golden light. Resting upon it was a monument unlike the others—a statue carved from a single block of pristine alabaster.The figure was that of a bard, his hands gently cradling a lyre, his head bowed in eternal song. The intricate details of his cloak seemed to ripple as if caught in an unseen breeze, and the soft glow of golden light pulsing through the carvings gave the impression of music frozen in time.Meredith inhaled sharply, her gaze fixed on the statue."That's his," she whispered, her voice trembling with recognition. "Raphael's dragon."Gabriel's golden eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable."He brought it here himself," he said softly, his tone carrying a strange mix of reverence and sorrow.Meredith took a step forward, her brow furrowing."When Fresia and I first came here, it wasn't like this. There was only one then—Raphael's. There was no statue, and the walls were bare." Her voice wavered slightly as her gaze swept the chamber. "But now..."Gabriel's golden eyes narrowed as he followed her line of sight.As Meredith moved deeper into the cavern, Gabriel's sharp gaze caught a faint movement near the far wall.A figure stood in the shadows, watching them in silence. The golden glow of the tomb's light caught the edge of his silver armor and the faint gleam of his wings. Gabriel stiffened."Adriel," he said under his breath, recognition flickering across his face.Meredith stopped, turning back to follow Gabriel's line of sight. Adriel stepped forward, his expression unreadable as his attention shifted to the orb in Meredith's hands."This place is heavy with echoes," Adriel said, his voice calm, almost distant. "And now you bring more."Before Adriel could speak another word, Gabriel stepped forward, his expression firm. With a deliberate motion, he extended his hand, conjuring a faintly glowing sigil in the air between them.The symbol pulsed with golden light as it floated toward Adriel, who caught it with ease.The sigil dissolved into his palm, and his eyes briefly closed as the memory it carried flooded his mind—images of Fresia's transformation, her sacrifice on the battlefield, and the desperate flight to protect what remained of her.When Adriel's eyes opened again, they were sharper, carrying a flicker of understanding. He gave Gabriel a single nod, a silent acknowledgment of the weight they both carried into this sacred space.Adriel's gaze then settled on the orb in Meredith's hands. As an angel known for his mastery of magic, his sharp eyes immediately honed in on the faint, unusual aura surrounding it."Incredible... it still holds magic," Adriel remarked, his words tinged with disbelief. "There is faint power here."Adriel's gaze lingered on the orb in Meredith's hands, his expression contemplative. After a long pause, he spoke, his tone steady but edged with something unspoken. "The soul within hasn't rested."Meredith's grip on the orb tightened, her jaw clenching slightly. "What are you suggesting?"Adriel's sharp eyes flicked to the bow slung across her back, its worn surface bearing the marks of countless battles."I can help you with the entombment," he said evenly. "Beforehand, I can also transfer the lingering magic to your weapon."Meredith hesitated, her gaze shifting to Gabriel, who gave a small, measured nod."Let's do it," Meredith said finally, her voice firm despite the faint quaver beneath it.Adriel inclined his head slightly, his wings shifting as he stepped closer.Without further delay, Adriel moved to work. He extended his hands toward the orb, his fingers glowing faintly with a golden light as intricate runes shimmered to life around him. The air grew heavy with magic, a quiet hum resonating through the cavern as the energy within the orb began to flow.As the process continued, the glow from the orb dimmed slightly, the magic flowing into the bow in soft, flickering pulses. The weapon began to hum faintly in Meredith's grip, its surface etched with glowing runes that hadn't been there before."Now the magic resides within," Adriel said quietly as he stepped back, his tone devoid of emotion but his gaze sharp. "But for the rest of her..."Adriel straightened, his hands still glowing with ethereal energy, and turned toward an untouched section of the wall. With a sharp motion, he traced glowing sigils into the stone, his fingers moving with precision.The air around him vibrated as the sigils took shape, forming an intricate pattern that pulsed once before the stone groaned and shifted. Slowly, a small hollow emerged, its edges smooth and lined with faintly glowing runes."This will be her place," Adriel said, stepping back and gesturing toward the opening. His voice was calm, but there was a weight to his words.Meredith hesitated, her grip tightening on the orb. Her gaze moved between Adriel, the hollow in the wall, and the orb in her hands. Taking a slow breath, she stepped forward, each movement deliberate as if the act itself required more strength than she could summon.She knelt before the hollow, her hands trembling slightly as she raised the orb. Its surface glimmered faintly in the dim light, and for a moment, it felt warm in her hands, almost alive.With a steadying breath, she placed the orb inside, its glow melding with the runes that lined the hollow. The chamber seemed to hum softly, the energy settling as the orb became one with the tomb.Meredith's voice was steady, almost too steady, as she declared, "Her sacrifice will not be in vain."Yet, for all her resolve, her eyes betrayed her—flickering with a storm of emotions she refused to name.Gabriel stepped closer, his tone gentle but firm."Fresia acted out of love for you," he said, his gaze searching hers, hoping to ease the weight she carried.Meredith stiffened, her jaw tightening as her hands clenched at her sides."I don't need a reminder of what I've lost," she snapped, her voice sharp and cutting, though it wavered just slightly at the edges.Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, her stride brisk and purposeful as though movement alone could outrun the grief threatening to overtake her.Gabriel remained still, watching her retreat.Adriel led Gabriel deeper into the cavern, where the air grew colder and the faint luminescence of the dragon scales barely reached. The stillness was almost oppressive, broken only by the soft echo of their footsteps. When Adriel finally stopped, he turned with measured grace."We must speak plainly, Gabriel," Adriel began, his tone even but laced with gravitas. "Lord Elyon plays a dangerous game, one that sees no allegiance to angels or mortals. This war is nothing more than a Gladiator's spectacle—a stage for his amusement."Gabriel's wings shifted slightly, the tension in his frame unmistakable. "I've long suspected his motives were not pure," he said, his golden eyes narrowing.Adriel's gaze was piercing, his words deliberate. "Meredith's time is here," Adriel said, his voice steady but carrying an ominous weight. "And when all is said and done, I hope you will join us."Before Gabriel could respond, Adriel raised a hand and conjured a sigil—a delicate, glowing symbol that pulsed faintly with golden light. With a flick of his wrist, he sent it soaring toward Gabriel.A memory sigil. The sigil hovered in the air for a moment before dissolving into Gabriel's chest, its energy spreading through him like a ripple across still water.Gabriel's golden eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as the sigil dissolved into his chest, its energy unfurling like a cascade of light through his mind. In an instant, the fragmented thoughts and cryptic warnings resolved into something clear, complete, and undeniable."You'll understand when it's time," Adriel replied simply, his wings shifting as he stepped back into the shadows of the cavern.The air was crisp and quiet as Gabriel carried Meredith in flight, their path weaving through the dim skies above the forests. His arms held her securely, the steady rhythm of his wings creating a comforting hum. The weight of the tomb's visit hung heavily between them, unspoken yet palpable. Gabriel's wings glowed faintly, their light trailing like embers scattered across the darkness.Meredith rested her head against his chest, her cheek brushing against the cool fabric of his tunic. She closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the warmth radiating from him, the subtle scent of him—something clean, like rain on stone. Her fingers curled slightly against his shoulder, her thoughts a tangle of emotions she couldn't quite untangle.She couldn't help but marvel at him, even now. The way he carried himself—not just physically, but in every action—seemed effortless yet deliberate. His strength, his composure, the quiet determination in his eyes, even when everything else was chaos.He was so far removed from anything she thought she could reach, and yet, here he was, holding her as though it was the most natural thing in the world.How do you carry so much? she wondered silently, the admiration mixing with something deeper, something far more terrifying.Her admiration only deepened her guilt. Fresia's face flashed in her mind, the memory of her last moments raw and unforgiving.She loved me, Meredith thought bitterly, the weight of those words cutting through her like a blade. She gave everything for me, and what did I give her in return?The grief clawed at her chest, rising like a wave she couldn't suppress, but she swallowed it down, forcing her focus back to Gabriel, to the steady rhythm of his wings. She needed that steadiness—needed him—to stop herself from falling apart.She wanted to say something. Something important. Something honest.Her heart thudded against her ribs as the words hovered, just within reach: I feel safe with you. No. That wasn't enough. It was more than that. You make me feel like nothing else matters. Like I could fall forever, and you'd catch me. But that sounded ridiculous. Too vulnerable. Too much.Her fingers tightened briefly, a tiny, silent plea for steadiness. What's wrong with me? she thought.The air whipped around them, filling the silence she was too afraid to break. She leaned into him a little more, her breath catching in her throat.Suddenly, Meredith gasped, clutching at her chest as her mark began to throb violently, a searing heat spreading beneath her skin. Her breath hitched, her fingers digging into Gabriel's arm for balance."Gabriel—" she choked out, her voice strained.Gabriel's face shifted immediately, his golden eyes sharp with alarm."Your mark," he muttered, his gaze flicking to the faint light now pulsing through her armor. The intricate sigil burned brighter with each beat, as if responding to an unseen force.He adjusted his grip on her, his wings faltering momentarily before steadying again."It's reacting," he said, his tone grave, though his words were more for himself than her. "It's happening sooner than I thought."Meredith winced, trying to suppress a cry as the mark flared again. Gabriel's expression hardened, his mind racing."Hold on," he urged, his voice firm, though his concern was evident. "We need to get you somewhere safe—now."---Far above the mortal plane, in the celestial halls of heaven, a heavy silence cloaked the grand chamber as Malachel knelt before the imposing figure of Lord Elyon.The light around Elyon shimmered unnaturally, his form veiled in an iridescent glow that made it impossible to discern his true features.Around them, angels stood in a reverent semi-circle, their golden wings folded neatly, their expressions unreadable. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension, each angel's gaze fixed on the scene before them."The time has come," Elyon said, his tone measured, absolute. "The royal dragon is prepared, her mark awakening as it was always meant to."Malachel raised his head slightly, his golden eyes gleaming with an eagerness that bordered on fervor. "What are your orders, my lord?"Elyon's gaze turned toward the necklace, the glow intensifying as the light reflected in his eyes."Ensure she is ready," he said simply, though his tone carried an edge that brooked no hesitation. "Bring her to me."The other angels exchanged subtle glances, their expressions betraying neither approval nor dissent.Malachel, his confidence unshaken, bowed deeply once more before rising to his feet, his wings flaring slightly as he prepared to leave.As he turned, Elyon's voice cut through the chamber once more, soft yet resonant. "Do not fail me, Malachel."A faint smile tugged at Malachel's lips as he inclined his head. "Never, my lord."