Chapter 54

Chapter 54
Authoress’s POV
Silence hung thick in the air, the kind that followed the end of something massive, like the world had held its breath for too long and was just now exhaling.

From behind broken walls, shattered fences, and crumbled towers, the people began to emerge. Children clutched to the hands of their mothers. Elderly folk were supported by younger arms. Some were bleeding. Some had broken bones or bruised faces. Others were miraculously unharmed. All carried the same look in their eyes—terror fading into disbelief, and disbelief turning into awe.
The soldiers, though worn and battered, stood tall as they helped their comrades off the ground, lifting them with the weight of victory. Their armor bore the scars of battle, their weapons slick with the remnants of war, but they smiled through their exhaustion. Some fell to their knees, whispering prayers of gratitude. Others wept openly, relieved that the nightmare had finally passed.

Twila held Zackfronth tightly. His body trembled against hers. The scorched sigils flickered faintly across his skin, slowly dimming like dying embers.
“It’s over,” she whispered again, almost like she didn’t believe it.
Zackfronth leaned against her, struggling to catch his breath. The sky above had turned golden, as if the sun itself was blessing the remnants of this land.
Behind them, Orion and Azrael ran forward, slowing only when they saw Zackfronth’s condition. Azrael knelt on the other side of him, his fierce expression softening.
“You stubborn duo,” Azrael muttered, gripping Zackfronth’s shoulder. “Don’t ever do that again.”
Zackfronth gave a pained smirk. “We’ll try… not to.” They both replied.
Orion chuckled as he looked around. “We did it. We actually did it.”
Twila stood, helping Zackfronth to his feet. As she did, the crowd began to gather around them. Hundreds of faces—some familiar, others unknown—turned toward them, eyes filled with reverence.
Zackfronth raised a weak hand. He tried to speak, but his voice cracked. Twila gently placed her hand over his chest, channeling a faint pulse of light through him. He stood taller.
“People of the Eastern Kingdom,” he called out, voice steadying with each word. “Today… we won not because of our strength, but because of our unity. Our bond. Our belief in each other.”
A murmur of agreement swept through the crowd.
“We have seen darkness—faced it, fought it, bled in it. But look around you.” He turned slowly, making sure everyone could see the survivors beside them. “We are still standing. The darkness came for us… and we burned it away with our light.”
The people erupted into cheers, a unified cry of triumph that echoed across the ruins.
“But this victory did not come without cost.” Zackfronth’s tone softened. “We lost brothers. Sisters. Mothers, fathers… friends. Let us not forget their sacrifice. Let their courage echo in our hearts, guiding us as we rebuild. They fought for peace… let us honor them by ensuring it.”
Tears flowed freely in the crowd, but they were tears of mixed sorrow and gratitude. Twila looked out among them, seeing faces she didn’t even know she had helped save. A little girl clung to her dog, a man helped his blind wife walk over the rubble. This was hope. Fragile, beautiful and real.

In the days that followed, the kingdom entered a period of mourning and rebuilding.
The dead were honored in a ceremony that lasted three full days. Bonfires were lit in the central square, and their names were inscribed into the memory wall—etched in silver and sealed with prayer. Songs were sung, stories shared, and silence held in remembrance.
Twila stood by a large oak tree where several graves had been marked. She stared at the soil, her thoughts heavy.
“Are you okay?” Orion asked one evening, approaching her quietly.
She nodded slowly. “Just… thinking about everything. Who I am. What I’ve seen. I feel like I’m living someone else’s story.”
“No,” Orion said gently. “You’re living your own. You just finally know where it started.”

The rebuilding effort was fierce. Soldiers and civilians worked side by side, restoring homes and patching broken roofs. Healers moved from tent to tent, treating wounds and offering comfort. Children began to laugh again. The air, though still heavy with loss, was filled with a new energy—resilience.
And through it all, Zackfronth remained a pillar. Though still recovering, he offered his strength wherever he could. He trained new recruits. Sat with grieving families. Gave speeches at dusk.
Twila, too, became a symbol of hope. The girl who freed the cursed warriors. The lightbearer. The protector.
Though she didn’t yet understand everything about her past, she had embraced one truth:
Her destiny was no longer a mystery.
It was a calling.
And she would answer it.

Orion's POV
It was time to leave. We'd done enough. Left our own Kingdoms for too long.
The Eastern Kingdom was doing better now, and so it was time to leave.
“Thank you so much for everything.” Zackfronth said on our last night there. “Words are not enough to appreciate the efforts you showed towards us, we're eternally grateful.” He said and people nodded in agreement.
“The Eastern Kingdom is always open to you all. Always.” He raised his goblet for a toast.

That night, I approached Twila by the large oak tree where she sat. She had been doing a lot of thinking there lately.
“Hey.” She cooed when she noticed me.
“Hey.” I replied and we both went quiet.
“So, you leave tomorrow...” It wasn't a question, but it sounded like one.
“Yes.” I replied and we went quiet again.
I watched her carefully. I had no idea what she had seen in the visions from the Shadow slayers, but it seemed to be bothering her a lot.
“I know you have a lot on your mind” I started and she turned to face me. “I just hope you don't try to carry it alone. I'm always here for you.”
“Thank you, Orion.” She smiled. I kissed her forehead before walking away.

Twila's POV
I felt torn between the choices I had to make. Staying here with Zackfronth or Going back with Orion.
I know this sounds selfish, but I liked it when we were all together. If only we could all stay together in one place. Unfortunately, they were Alphas and each of them had a responsibility to their Kingdom.
“Maybe you should just leave with me.” Azrael came up from behind me.
“Geez!!” I flinched, “You scared me.” I frowned at him but he just smirked instead.
“Since when did you become a mind reader?” I asked.
“I didn't read your mind Twila, you just make it so obvious, even a blind person can see what you're thinking about.”
“Ha ha..” I rolled my eyes and we both laughed.
“All jokes aside, are you really going to remain here with Zackfronth?” He asked. “What about Orion?”
I sighed. I know what he was thinking. The last time we spoke at his castle, I was turning him down to go confess my feelings to Orion. It was very simple then, I never knew I'd meet Zackfronth and most importantly, I never thought I'd like him this much.
“Should I just come with you, that way I won't have to choose between them.” I said and he laughed.
“Just do what you think is best for you.” He advised. “But also remember, you can't run forever. They are Alphas and they have a duty to their Kingdoms to provide a Luna.”

I watched him leave. The thought of any of them taking another Luna made my heart sting.
Orion was to leave the next morning. I need to make a decision before he leaves.