Chapter 78
Ella's POV
Alpha Walter stood at the center of the battlefield, hands clasped behind his back, surveying the devastated land around him.
Silver Moon warriors were clearing the field, lifting the wounded onto stretchers and gathering scattered weapons and armor. Rain washed over the muddy ground, carrying away blood and scorch marks, the air thick with the scent of wet earth mixed with faint traces of herbs.
Not far away, Luna Jenna knelt beside Kane. Her skirts were caked with mud, her hands pressed against Kane's chest as silvery-white healing light poured from her palms, slowly seeping into his charred skin.
Kane's breathing was so faint it was barely perceptible, and he remained unconscious.
Fine beads of sweat dotted Jenna's forehead—clearly this level of healing was draining her considerably—but she didn't stop, only occasionally glancing up at Walter with questioning concern in her eyes.
I stood beside Julian, my legs feeling like they were filled with lead. Ignis was silent in the depths of my consciousness. She was exhausted too, that once blazing fighting spirit now flickering weak as dying embers.
I looked down at my hands, my fingertips still trembling slightly, though I couldn't tell if it was from exhaustion or the aftershock of releasing magic moments ago.
Brian and the other two approached from the far side of the battlefield. They were covered in wounds—Brian's left arm hung limp, clearly dislocated, Gregory had a deep gash on his thigh that reached bone, and Zachary limped with every step, gritting his teeth through the pain.
But they still made their way to Walter and bowed respectfully. Walter nodded, gesturing for them to rise and seek treatment.
My gaze fell on the ground in the distance, scorched by dark flames.
It looked like a festering wound, black burn marks spreading across the earth where nothing could grow. But the rain was pouring down on this scarred land, and I could see the soil slowly darkening, softening. Perhaps before long, grass would grow here again, wildflowers would bloom, and small creatures would make their nests.
Nature was miraculous that way—she tolerated life's small rebellions in her embrace, then healed herself, as if nothing had ever happened.
"Ella." Julian called softly, his hand resting on my shoulder.
I lifted my head, following his gaze, and my heart clenched.
Stella lay on the ground not far away, her body curled into a ball. Her breathing grew weaker and weaker, her chest rising and falling like a dying butterfly struggling for one last flutter of its wings.
Victoria hadn't been able to take her, and now she lay here alone, her life counting down to its end.
I hesitated for a moment, then finally walked over. Julian didn't stop me, only followed behind, maintaining a step's distance.
Stella heard the footsteps and slowly opened her eyes. The resentment and unwillingness that had filled them before was gone, replaced by a kind of peace, a clarity that came from seeing through everything.
A bitter smile even curved her lips.
"You came," her voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible. "I thought... you would hate me."
I crouched down to meet her eyes. "I did hate you," I said calmly. "But now, I'm just tired."
Stella let out a soft laugh that pulled at her wounds, making her wince, though she quickly recovered that peaceful expression.
"Tired... yes, I'm tired too."
Walter walked over slowly, standing before Stella and looking down at this once fearless warrior. There was no anger in his eyes, no hatred—only deep sorrow.
"Stella," he said, his voice low and heavy.
Stella turned her head to look at the Alpha who had once led her.
She was silent for a long while before finally asking, "Before the great battle all those years ago, why didn't you pass the ice element to me?" Her voice was soft but each word clear. "When the fire element was burning me day and night, why did you abandon me?"
Walter closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
When he opened them again, they were filled with complex emotions. "It wasn't that I was unwilling to heal you or pass the ice element to you," he said slowly. "It's that your temperament was too fiery—you were fundamentally incompatible with the ice element. For all living things, elemental power is an extension of one's nature. If you force an element that doesn't suit you, it will devour you, unless..." He paused. "Unless you use the Orta Crown as a medium."
Stella's eyes trembled slightly.
Walter continued, "When I was suppressing the fire element within you, I discovered that Seraphina was rejecting the ice element. If I had continued using ice magic on Seraphina, it might have killed you instead." His voice grew heavier. "So when I heard you'd refined the fire element, I was genuinely happy for you. I thought you'd finally found your own path. But I never imagined..." He shook his head. "That you would turn to dark magic."
Pain filled Walter's voice, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.
Stella froze for a moment, then a smile of release spread across her face.
That smile held bitterness, regret, and a certain liberation. She lifted her hand, trembling as she touched the three claw marks on her face—scars left on the battlefield years ago.
"My Alpha," she said softly. "These three scars on my face—are they hideously ugly?"
Walter crouched down to meet her gaze. His eyes reddened, though he held back his tears.
"Those are the glory of the Silver Fang War Maiden," he said, each word deliberate. "Silver Moon Pack has never forgotten."
Tears slid from the corners of Stella's eyes, mixing with the mud.
Choking on blood, she said with difficulty, "Blood River Pack has lost the fire element—they won't let this go." Her voice grew weaker. "They'll strike back with everything they have."
Then she turned her head toward Julian in the distance.
"Victoria... followed me down the wrong path," her voice was now barely a whisper. "If you meet her on the battlefield... please save her."
Julian's expression shifted from sharp to complicated. He was silent for a long time before finally nodding.
Seeing his nod, Stella's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
Her breathing grew shallower and slower until finally her chest stopped rising, her eyes slowly closed, and they never opened again.
A legend had fallen.
Walter stood, gazing at Stella's body for a long time without speaking. Jenna also stopped healing Kane, rising to stand beside Walter and gently taking his hand.
I turned away, no longer looking at the lifeless body. Julian's hand rested on my shoulder again as we stood side by side in the rain, watching the warriors going about their tasks, watching this land that had been ravaged by war yet stubbornly endured.
The rain continued to fall, washing everything clean.