Bella's eyes locked onto Ariana's, and she saw a fierce determination burning within them.
"Ariana, what's going on?" Bella asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ariana's gaze didn't waver from Malakai. "He killed my family," she spat. "He destroyed everything I ever loved."
Bella's heart went out to Ariana. She couldn't imagine the pain and anger Ariana must be feeling.
But before she could respond, Prince Kieran stepped forward, his sword at the ready.
"We can't let our personal vendettas get in the way of our mission," he said, his eyes locked onto Malakai. "We need to work together if we're going to defeat him."
Ariana's gaze flickered to Kieran, and for a moment, Bella saw a glimmer of uncertainty.
But then Ariana's expression hardened, and she nodded. "You're right," she said. "Let's do this."
Together, the group charged forward, determined to defeat Malakai and shatter his hold on the kingdom.
The battle was intense, with spells and swords clashing in a deadly dance.
But with Ariana's knowledge of Malakai's powers and Kieran's military expertise, they slowly began to gain the upper hand.
Malakai's minions fell one by one, until finally, it was just Malakai himself standing against them.
"You fools," Malakai spat. "You think you can defeat me? I have the power of the ancient ones at my command."
But Ariana just smiled. "We'll see about that," she said.
And with a swift strike of her sword, Ariana shattered Malakai's staff, rendering his powers useless.
The kingdom was finally free from Malakai's grasp.
But as they stood victorious, Bella couldn't shake the feeling that there were still secrets to be revealed.
And then, just as they were about to celebrate their victory, a figure emerged from the shadows.
It was an old man, dressed in long, flowing robes.
"Who are you?" Bella asked, her hand on the hilt of her sword.
The old man smiled. "I am the one who has been guiding you on your journey," he said. "And I have one final secret to reveal."
Bella's eyes narrowed. What could this old man possibly reveal?
And then, just as she was about to ask, the old man spoke.
"Bella, you are not who you think you are," he said. "You are not a member of the royal family."
Bella's world went dark.
What did the old man mean?
Was she truly a princess, or was it all just a lie?
But before she could ask any questions, the old man continued.
"You are, in fact, the last living heir of the ancient magic bloodline," he said.
Bella's mind reeled. What did it mean to be an heir of the ancient magic bloodline?
And what did it have to do with her true identity?
But before she could ask any more questions, Prince Kieran stepped forward.
"What does this mean for the kingdom?" he asked.
The old man smiled. "It means that Bella has the power to restore the ancient magic to the kingdom," he said.
Bella's eyes widened. She had the power to restore the ancient magic?
What did it mean for her future?
And what did it mean for the kingdom?