With her lengthy blade stabbed inside both her father and Kaelix, Maeve stated, "I'd hoped it wouldn't come to this, but there is no place for men like you two in the future I wish for us."

A disturbed roar exploded from the King's trusted subjects. A group of warriors charged toward Maeve, but an even larger force of Ravenours, not just the rebels but elites who'd supported her, intercepted them. The two forces were both of the Violet Order, allies who'd previously shared each other's woes on the battlefield. They didn't want to kill each other. Though the sweet whisper of the war had already seduced that town.

Metal clashed together as the King's supporters tried to breach the blockade that protected the young princess- the merciful royal who'd personally met them all, shared their concerns, and spent days in and out for years earning their trust and helping with the most mundane of matters. Whether helping repair broken structures, settling personal differences, or gathering fish or vegetables in the forest. Maeve did her best for them.

Her conviction was stone, but anguish reflected in her irises and soul as she drove the sword further into her father, which was long enough to also impale Kaelix. Her eyes squeezed tightly as the man grunted, and a tear fell down her cheek. She sniffled, then jerked away from him. Maeve stared at the blood on her hands, then woefully glanced at Vin, who'd watched in dismay.

Her voice had depleted; she'd become lethargic and vulnerable, like a child on the verge of breakdown. She stared at him and said, "When I told you I'd succeed my father and become Queen, you asked if that was really what I wanted."

A broken smile cracked across her face, and she dismally nodded, "As a child, I hated this place because everyone treated me like a burden for being a half-blood."

"Though- As the years passed, I met people I could trust, made memories here, and eventually came to love this town."

"I won't see this place ruined."

Vin, glowing from the light of flames, saw his own family in his mind, then shouted, "Thats your father!"

"My father is an ignorant, senseless murderer. Tristen, Gideon, and many more were orphaned because of his rule. The ways of the old have to change. Entrusting control to the most powerful and violent man has caused nothing but pain."

"Thanks to your help I will be able to bring about a new Era of Ravenour."

Maeve held her blood-cloaked, shivering palm out to him and continued, "I couldn't have done this without you."

The unsteadiness of her hand was disheartening as she was the most resolute person he'd known. But she was serious when she offered, "Ruel alongside me, Vin."

He didn't skip a beat, promptly telling her, "Never."

Maeve recoiled as if physically hurt by his response and withdrew her hand before looking away dejectedly. She froze for a moment, but no more. That wasn't the time to show weakness in front of her people. She straightened, inhaled, and shouted over the chaos, "Enough!"

She withdrew the saber from the two she skewered and then continued, "I will kill Kalex and all who choose to defend him. Anyone who doesn't want to serve me may leave!"

"I've brought the Eternal Flame into this town. They've given me their support. To deny my rule is akin to refusing the will of our God."

"Even my guards-" She signaled. Upon the cue, Gideon and Tristen walked into the blaze and kneeled in front of Vin. Gasp echoed as the two Ravenours were seen immune to the flames; as such, they were seen as disciples of the Eternal.

A mental group connection was forged. Gideon informed Hughton they wouldn't reveal that he'd also resurrected so he could live normally with his granddaughter, Less. Tristen used that space to apologize to Vin for how things turned out and promised they would guide him to the human settlement afterward.

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Vin tried to control his frustrations. From the minute he arrived in that town, he was used as a means to their end. "Don't apologise, it's my fault for believing a Ravenour."

Tristen's head jerked upward, and his unduly tormented expression was revealed to the young human he'd only just begun to know. "Please, believe me, we ne-"

"Don't bother," interrupted Gideon. "We did what we had to; an outsider wouldn't comprehend how difficult this decision was for Maeve."

The entire time those few conversed, Maeve filled the heads of many Ravenours with enchanting promises of change. The fighting stopped, and soon, so did the objections. She clarified the options: submit to her rule or leave and join another village.

"No." Kane, her father's deep, threatening voice, ended her speech. Though bleeding, he stood straight. Even Kaelix was still alive, persisting thanks to his deity's blessing.

Maeve didn't want to allow the current ruler to speak and create another rally, so she motioned to her many followers, "Lock him away."

The moment Kane was approached, he drew his sword and cut down six warriors within his reach. Even injured, he was an absolute monster. Something separated him from the rest of the Ravenours; something fundamentally differed about him. Even his blade was much different from the others; it was broader and had black fur tied around the hilt, similar to the coat of the beast Kaelix rode in on. Overall, the saber looked ancient, but why would the King of that town use a dated weapon?

"My daughter. My pride. My only... I wish nothing more for you, my blood, to succeed me. However, you are not ready."

"You may disagree with my methods, but I have protected this town from threats for over a decade."

"If only I was enough... I've come to understand that my strength alone is not enough to protect this place from what is coming."

"You all are weak."

It was a pill that was hard for a lot of them to swallow. But it was a truth he wanted them to hear. "My efforts to implement magic and various Elven tactics to improve our military might have been rejected at every corner because many wish to protect culture."

The man removed his crown, snapped it in half, and removed a beautiful jade center jewel. He held it in his palm, and it began to glow and levitate. "I'd done my best to strive for greatness for our people. Alas, I have failed."

Curious eyes befell the unknown gem that grew brighter and brighter.

The royal man cast a long, loving gaze upon his daughter, whispering, "You resemble your mother so much. With her intellect and my strength, I know you'll be able to succeed as a ruler where I failed."

The gem peaked in the air, becoming so incredibly bright that day deleted night. Kane breathed, then BOOMED so the entirety of that town would feel his spirit, "Over a thousand years ago the black Phoenix presented our people with a warrior capable of changing the world! Now, a new Eternal was born and brought to us!"

"A new dawn is coming! Those who survive the Archival Dimension, as I had eighteen years ago, will help the new queen lead Ravenours to a new era!"

Vin's eyes widened, and a chill slicked down his spine as he realized what made that man so indomitable. It was a secret that Kane kept from his own family. But, he'd once been trapped inside the Archival Dimension, a place of impossibility. He was one of the first Ravenours in the three hundred years they existed on Auroraan to return from the second plane.

Maeve drew conclusions based on his statement and the glowing item and violently yanked her father's robe, screaming, "No! You'll kill us all!"

Turmoil erupted as thousands trampled over each other to escape the light. Screams of dread sounded, for no one wished to die.

For make no mistake. For those untested, entering the Archival Dimension was a death sentence.

Kane knew this more than anyone. But, as he stated, they were weak. If only Maeve and 0.1% of that population survived, that handful could rival even the long-lived Elves. His logic was twisted; he was willing to sacrifice so many people for a dream not entirely Maeve's. She just wanted her home to succeed, but no one would be left to govern if things went on.

Tristen and Gideon blasted through the hoard of panic-stricken people to reach Maeve before they were all ripped from the mortal plane and thrown into the second dimension. Hughton also dashed off incredibly quickly to their room, where Less was alone, unaware of the misfortunes that would soon surface.

Vin stood in the same spot. He was still unclothed, watching the artifact he learned was a greater portal infused inside a gem. He could run, but what was the point. Judging by how quickly the light spread, no one would be able to escape. In those final moments, Vin apologized to his family for being unable to return to them soon.

Just as Tristen's hand reached out to grasp Maeve, the ground beneath them shuddered violently. The gem, now pulsing with an overwhelming energy, exploded in a burst of light that consumed everything. Reality twisted, colors bleeding into one another, and in an instant, the land was swallowed by the blinding radiance, and the terrified screams were abruptly silenced.