The grand hall of the castle was draped in an eerie silence, its towering pillars casting elongated shadows over the polished marble floor. The golden chandeliers flickered dimly as if aware of the tension brewing beneath them. Pearl stood between Miraculas and King Blaze, her gaze unwavering, her heart pounding in anticipation.
King Blaze, once a formidable ruler, now stood weakened, his very essence diminished by the power Miraculas had stripped from him. Yet, his pride remained intact. He would never admit his faults aloud, though the regret in his eyes was undeniable. His fingers curled into fists at his sides, his once-burning aura now reduced to dying embers.
Miraculas exhaled, his voice carrying the weight of divine authority. "You ask me to return his power, Pearl, but do you understand what you are demanding?" His gaze bore into hers, searching for any hesitation, any doubt. But she remained firm.
"I do," Pearl responded, her voice unwavering. "He fought for his son, for his kingdom. His methods were flawed, his rage misguided, but at his core, he is still a protector. If we are to restore balance, we cannot hold onto past vengeance."
Miraculas studied her for a long moment before finally lifting his hand. Ancient words, lost to time, spilled from his lips. The air trembled as a blood-red light emerged, swirling with raw power. The energy coiled around itself, writhing like a living entity before Miraculas directed it towards Blaze. The crimson force slammed into the weakened king, engulfing him. A sharp gasp escaped his lips as his body arched, power surging back into his veins.
As the storm of energy subsided, King Blaze straightened, his eyes burning once more with the fire of his former strength. Yet, his anger had not fully subsided.
Pearl stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "I know you only wanted to protect your kingdom and your son, but I promise—we will set things right together."
King Blaze let out a slow breath, his jaw tightening. "I regret what I did," he admitted, though there was a sharp edge to his words. "I did not know who you were back then." His expression darkened, and his fiery gaze flickered toward Miraculas before settling back on Pearl. "But one thing remains unchanged—my son's life is still bound to you."
Pearl's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? Ambrose is alive. His power is whole again."
King Blaze let out a low, humorless chuckle. "Yes, he is whole—but never complete. He will never regain his entire power." His voice dropped, laced with something Pearl could only describe as sorrow, buried deep beneath his hardened exterior. "Because he only has two lives left."
The world seemed to tilt.
Pearl's breath hitched. Her mind raced, trying to grasp his words, but the answer struck her like a blade to the heart. That night—when she stood on the edge of the bridge in the human world. When she had jumped. She had believed she was alone. But Ambrose had been there.
He had saved her.
And in doing so—he had given up one of his lives for her.
A tremor ran through her as the truth settled in. She had never known. He had never told her. And now, it was too late to change anything.
Her chest tightened, torn between the warmth of knowing she had been saved by him and the unbearable weight of realizing it had cost him so much. Happiness and sorrow intertwined within her, an unbearable paradox she could neither embrace nor escape.
Miraculas, who had remained silent, turned away, his presence suddenly heavy with contemplation. Leaving Pearl and Blaze in the hall, he returned to his chamber, where the shadows awaited him.
A voice, dark and remorseful, emerged from the void. "It was my fault that day. I failed to protect her. Everything happened because of a single mistake."
Miraculas closed his eyes, recognizing the voice immediately. "I left her under your guidance so she could grow into her destiny, so she could bring stability once she was ready. But fate..." He exhaled deeply. "Fate had its own plans."
The shadow shifted. "What must I do now?"
Miraculas opened his eyes, his gaze piercing through the darkness. "Help them restore what has been lost. Guide them through the destruction."
A shimmering light broke through the void, illuminating the figure. Slowly, the darkness receded, revealing a regal presence adorned in flowing silver robes. A woman of unparalleled grace, her aura radiating warmth and serenity.
"You are Velian, the Queen of Positivity."
Velian lifted her head, her eyes filled with quiet remorse. "I failed her, Miraculas. I was given the responsibility of protecting Pearl, ensuring her path remained steady. But I could not handle it. I let her slip away, and the chaos that followed... it was my burden to bear."
Miraculas watched her, his expression unreadable. "The past cannot be undone. But you can help shape the future."
She nodded solemnly. "I will not fail her again."
Velian turned and disappeared into the light, her presence vanishing like a whisper on the wind.
And as the castle stood in silence, Pearl, Ambrose, and the world itself stood at the edge of a new beginning.
One where balance, love, and destiny would be rewritten—together.