The air in the war chamber was heavy with unspoken tension as the council gathered.The Queen sat quietly by the window, her hands clasped tightly, her gaze distant. The King stood near the grand map table, his brow furrowed in contemplation. Gabriel leaned silently against the far wall and Meredith sat beside him, her head resting in her hands.Victoria broke the silence first."We can't lead them like this," she said, gesturing at her parents. Her eyes were fierce. "They need strength, hope, something to cling to."The Queen turned her sharp gaze to her eldest daughter. "And what do you think we're doing, Victoria?" she asked, her voice firm. "Despair has no place in this room, not when our people are looking to us."The King, standing beside the map table, nodded."Your mother is right. We are weary, not broken," the King said, his voice measured, carrying the weight of experience. "We've faced long odds before, and each time, we've endured. This will be no different."He paused, his gaze drifting to the map spread across the table, its markings stark with the grim reality of their situation. His shoulders lifted and fell in a heavy sigh."Now, we must focus on our next move—against Elyon or perhaps with him."The subtle emphasis on with him lingered in the room like an unspoken possibility, drawing furrowed brows from Victoria and a sharp glance from Meredith. Beneath it lay the faintest trace of doubt—or perhaps hope—that negotiations could still hold some answer to their plight.However, Byron straightened abruptly, his chair scraping against the stone floor. The intensity in his eyes burned like fire, his voice cutting through the chamber with fierce conviction."Elyon?" he said, his tone sharp, his weathered face alight with determination. "Pyria needs no master who plays with lives like pawns. If we're to face doom, let it be on our terms. Better to fight and die free than bow to a false Lord."The King looked up sharply, his jaw tightening, but Byron pressed on, his voice unwavering."My king, remember your glory—your purpose for Pyria!" His eyes burned with an unrelenting fire as he addressed the weary monarch."Pyria is the promise of a fresh start, a sanctuary for those who dare to believe in a better tomorrow. Here, it is the brave who build, and the bold who lead."Byron's fist clenched at his side as he took another step forward, his gaze unwavering."I am still your loyal servant! Until my final breath, I will stand beside you, not because I must, but because I believe in Pyria, your vision. Let me be with you until the end, and together, we will face whatever comes—heads held high, hearts unbroken!"The room fell into a charged silence, the weight of his words electrifying the air. Even the King seemed momentarily lifted, his weariness easing as Byron's determination shone."Do you not remember the fields of Alden, my king? When the enemy surrounded us, their numbers tenfold, and you stood at the front of the line? You raised your banner high and rallied men who had already counted themselves dead. You turned despair into victory with nothing but your courage and conviction."He pointed sharply to the King, his tone sharpening. "And the siege of Varrock? When the walls crumbled and all seemed lost, it was you who led the charge, cutting through their ranks like a flame through dry grass. You didn't just save Pyria that day—you gave it a legacy to stand on."Byron's voice grew louder, a commanding roar that echoed through the chamber. "These men, these women—they remember! They fight for the Pyria you built, the Pyria you bled for. And I remember too. Every battle, every sacrifice. I remember your victories not because they were yours, but because they gave us a reason to believe."He straightened, his hand pressing against his chest in a fierce salute. "So I ask you, my king—remember who you are. Not the man Elyon sees, but the man we've all followed to the ends of the earth. Let me be with you until the very end!"Byron turned slightly, his fervent gaze sweeping across the room, landing first on Victoria and then Meredith."And it's not just you," Byron continued, his hand gesturing toward Victoria. "Your daughter, your heir—she stands here, unshaken. Victoria has proven herself your equal in courage. Time and again, she has rallied Pyria's strength when the odds seemed insurmountable. Her resolve is a mirror of your own."His gaze shifted to Meredith, and his voice took on a reverent tone. "And Meredith—your youngest, who has borne the weight of a mark that was never her choice. She could have let it break her, let it define her. Instead, she became something more. A leader, a warrior, a symbol of hope. She carries the same fire you once brought to the battlefields."The King's shoulders sagged slightly as he exhaled, his hand brushing over the map on the table, his fingers tracing the boundaries of Pyria."Those battles..." he began, his voice low and heavy, "we faced men. Mortals. Elyon is no mortal foe. If he chooses to strike, Pyria may fall, no matter what fire we carry."Gabriel, watching quietly, inclined his head slightly, as if in silent agreement. Meredith's shoulders straightened, and she lifted her head, a flicker of defiance reigniting in her eyes."If we fall, we'll fall with dignity," Meredith added, her tone firm but not unkind.The King's expression softened, his gaze flicking. "You're all braver than I could have hoped," he admitted. "But bravery isn't always enough.""It has to be," Victoria said, her voice steady. "Because that's all we have."Byron stepped back, his arms outstretched as if to encompass them all. "This family—this royal blood—stands as one. And as long as you draw breath, as long as they stand beside you, Pyria has a chance. You are not just a king, a father, or a leader. You are the heart of a kingdom that refuses to kneel, even to a god."His eyes blazed with fierce determination as he continued, his voice rising to fill the chamber."But if Pyria is to fall, let it not be a quiet surrender.Let us make Elyon feel our defiance in every strike, every cry of resistance.Let Him remember the name of this kingdom long after its ashes have settled.Let Him know that no matter His power, no matter His wrath, we will give Him pain. Pain He will not forget."The room was charged with a newfound energy, Byron's words galvanizing even the Queen, who nodded solemnly, her earlier weariness tempered by the fire rekindled in her husband's eyes.The King, visibly moved, let out a deep breath, his eyes no longer dulled by uncertainty. It was as if Byron's words had rekindled a fire within him—a flame long thought extinguished.---Later, as Gabriel approached Byron on the training ground overlooking the soldiers, the grizzled commander turned, his expression already tinged with familiarity.He had spotted Gabriel earlier in the war chamber but hadn't addressed him directly, waiting for a quieter moment."Well," Byron said, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth, "I thought I recognized that face. The infamous angel who made my younger years miserable."Gabriel inclined his head slightly, his composure softening. "It seems my lessons served you well."Byron let out a hearty laugh, stepping forward to clasp Gabriel's shoulder firmly. "Served me well? That's one way to put it. You were relentless—more a taskmaster than a teacher. But I'll admit, I owe much of what I am to you."Leaning against the courtyard's edge, Meredith watched Gabriel exchange a few words with Byron before stepping into the sparring ring.Her eyes traced the outline of his shoulders, her mind flashing back to that morning, to the sight of his wings failing completely. It had been an image she couldn't shake, a reminder of just how human he had become.She approached Byron, who stood nearby with his arms crossed."You've known Gabriel longer than me," she said, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. "Tell me—what kind of angel was he?"Byron gave her a long look before exhaling. "The kind who'd sacrifice anything for someone he cared about. The kind who already has." His gaze flicked toward Gabriel.Gabriel stood surrounded by several soldiers, his posture steady, his focus razor-sharp. In the thick of a sparring session, he moved with a grace and precision that left his opponents scrambling to keep up.Meredith's breath caught as she watched him disarm one soldier with a swift, fluid motion, then seamlessly block another's strike without missing a beat. His every movement spoke of practiced skill, honed by centuries of battles fought and won. Even without his celestial power, Gabriel was formidable—a master of the battlefield.Her worry gave way to a quiet awe, the doubts that had crept in earlier dissolving as she observed him. This wasn't just a mortal man. Gabriel was still Gabriel, his strength undiminished by the loss of his wings.For a fleeting moment, Meredith allowed herself a small, relieved smile, her heart swelling with admiration.Byron's lips curved into a smirk as he glanced at Meredith. "Princess, you've always been clear about what you want when it comes to Gabriel. This isn't exactly new territory."Meredith raised a brow, crossing her arms. "Oh? Care to elaborate?"Byron chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I'll never forget the day you stood in the courtyard, barely tall enough to hold a sword, and declared, 'Will you marry me?'"Meredith blinked, then burst into laughter, shrugging as if completely unsurprised. "Sounds like something I'd do."Byron laughed along with her, shaking his head. "Bold as ever, Princess. Gabriel actually laughed, called you too young." He leaned closer, amused. "And you, all serious, just said, 'I'll grow up. You'll see.'"Meredith laughed, shaking her head. "Bold moves win hearts."She sauntered over to Gabriel, her voice carrying. "Still trying to show off, aren't you?"Gabriel, barely breaking a sweat, replied smoothly, "Someone has to set the standard."Meredith moved with bold confidence, pulling Gabriel into a deep, lingering kiss. When she finally released him, she grinned."Guess you're not the only one good at making a scene," she teased.Gabriel arched a brow, his tone amused. "Care to make another one?"The soldiers around the yard coughed awkwardly, glancing away to avoid watching the scene unfold. Byron groaned dramatically, tossing his hands in the air. "The rest of us are still here, you know!"Meredith laughed, unabashed.---High above, perched silently on the castle's outer ledge, Adriel watched the exchange with a contemplative expression.His glowing eyes lingered on Gabriel, now unmistakably mortal, the faint trace of wings still visible as scars along his back. There was no disdain in Adriel's gaze, only an unreadable weight, as if he were cataloging this moment, marking it in time.Later, in the quiet of their chambers, Meredith carefully helped Gabriel trim the remnants of his dead wings. Each feather that fell was a stark reminder of his sacrifice, and her hands moved with both reverence and tenderness."These clothes will help hide them," Meredith said, holding up a tailored jacket. Her voice softened as she added, "I'll help you after the war with whatever's left. We'll finish this together."Gabriel met her gaze, gratitude flickering in his eyes. "Thank you," he murmured.Meredith smiled faintly, brushing her fingers over his shoulders. "No more thanks. You're mine now. It's what we do."The courtyard was alive with tension, every corner packed with soldiers, civilians, and those who had come to stand in the shadow of Pyria's final hope.The King stepped forward onto the balcony, the high vantage point casting him in the glow of the midday sun. His gaze sweeping over the gathered crowd. Silence fell as he raised his hand, commanding the attention of all."People of Pyria," he began, his voice a deep, resonant boom that carried across the courtyard."Today, we stand at the edge of history, staring into the storm that threatens all we have built. I will not lie to you—the enemy we face is unlike any before. They are relentless, merciless, and they believe us broken."He paused, letting the weight of his words sink into the hearts of his people. "But look around you. Do you see a people who have yielded? Do you see despair in these faces? No! I see farmers turned warriors, merchants turned strategists, families who stand ready to protect not just a kingdom but a home. This is Pyria! The brave build, the bold lead!"The crowd began to stir, murmurs of agreement rippling through the assembled throng."The enemy believes they march upon a fractured land. Let us show them what Pyria truly is. We are the fire that refuses to be extinguished. We are the stone that breaks their tide. And today, we show them that we will not kneel!"The King unsheathed his sword, the steel gleaming as he raised it high above his head."When they write the histories of this land, let them tell of a people who stood united against the impossible.Let the heavens bear witness to what we do.Let every angel see what mortals are capable of when their backs are against the wall.Let them see not despair, but a people unbroken, unyielding, and unafraid.Let Elyon's angels carry back the tale of Pyria's defiance until it echoes in the celestial halls."The cheers erupted like a thunderclap, the crowd surging with energy, their fear eclipsed by the fervor of his words. The roar of approval was deafening, the sound reverberating through the courtyard as soldiers raised their weapons and civilians lifted their fists in solidarity.The King looked down at his people, his expression fierce yet proud."Remember this: they can take our walls, they can take our stones—but they will never take the spirit of Pyria. That is ours, and it will endure. To the end!"The crowd roared once more, their voices united in a single cry of defiance. The King stepped back from the edge of the balcony, he glanced at his Queen and daughters, standing resolute at the forefront of the crowd.Then he turned back to the gathered people, the weight of leadership settled fully upon his shoulders."For Pyria!" he shouted, his voice ringing like a battle cry.And the people echoed, their voices rising to meet the storm. "For Pyria!"---Back in the castle, Byron received troubling news. A scout rushed into the war chamber, his face pale. "Dragons," he said breathlessly. "We've spotted several—nearby."Byron's jaw tightened. "Prepare the anti-dragon defenses."The room tensed, but before the scout could leave, another soldier burst through the doors, his face flushed not with fear, but urgency. "Commander Byron!" he exclaimed, his voice cracking with emotion. "A force is approaching from the east—it's the Sunhaven banners. They've come to aid us!"A murmur swept through the room, disbelief mingling with sudden, hesitant hope. Byron turned sharply, his brows furrowed in suspicion. "Sunhaven?" he repeated, his tone heavy with caution. "How many?""Hundreds, sir," the soldier confirmed. "Infantry, cavalry—they're marching under Victoria's betrothed, Prince Darien."Byron's grim expression softened only slightly, the weight of Pyria's plight still pressing upon him."So they finally come," he muttered under his breath, then addressed the soldiers. "Send word to the princesses and prepare the gates. We'll need every blade and shield they can muster."The Queen, who had been standing quietly at the table, her hands clasped tightly, exhaled a long breath. "Victoria was right," she murmured, almost to herself. "Sunhaven has not forgotten us."The King, standing tall despite the toll of the long fight, placed a steady hand on Byron's shoulder. "Sunhaven's reinforcements are a boon," he said, his voice resolute. "But the dragons... they are still coming."Byron nodded, his focus sharpening. "Then we face them together, with the allies we have," he said firmly. "Ready the soldiers. Tomorrow, we fight as one."Far above, in the celestial realm, Elyon stood amidst his army of angels. His gaze swept over the endless ranks, his expression cold and calculating.Nearby, Malachel oversaw the final stages of dragon transformations, his smirk betraying a twisted satisfaction. The air was thick with the hum of power as Pyria's dragons were reshaped into weapons of destruction.Elyon raised a hand, his voice ringing with divine authority. "The time is near."The angels readied themselves, their wings spreading wide as the heavens prepared to descend upon the mortal realm.