Just as the fear reached its peak, something caught Katsuo in mid-air. There was a sudden jolt, and Katsuo opened his eyes in disbelief. He wasn’t falling anymore. Instead, he was soaring through the air, cradled in the massive paws of Zin’s alpha wolf.

Zin, riding his alpha wolf, caught them mid-air, the massive creature’s fur warm against the cold wind.

Zin grinned up at Katsuo, his sharp eyes filled with amusement.

“Looks like I got here just in time,” he said, his voice light despite the situation. Katsuo let out a breath of relief as he secured Xanus in front of him.

Katsuo let out a shaky laugh, his body still tense from the fall. “I wasn’t sure we’d make it, Zin. Not this time.”

Zin’s smirk softened, and he glanced down at the unconscious Xanus in Katsuo’s arms. “Well, it looks like you did. And you brought back something extra.” His tone grew more serious. “He doesn’t look so good.”

They were safe for now. The battle was over, and Izana was defeated. But Xanus’s condition was still critical, and they needed help—fast.

The sounds of battle had quieted, but the city of Milix was far from calm. The storm that had threatened to consume the kingdom had finally dissipated, and the ice castle that had loomed ominously over the city had collapsed into nothing more than scattered ruins.

But the damage was done—the streets of Milix were filled with wreckage, homes were destroyed, and the bodies of those who had fallen lay scattered among the debris. Yet, amidst the destruction, there was a sense of relief. The battle had been won.

Katsuo held Xanus close as they descended from Zin’s wolf, his heart heavy as he looked out over the remnants of the city.

The people of Milix were emerging from their shelters, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and hope as they surveyed the aftermath. Many had lost their homes, and some had lost loved ones, but they had survived.

Izana’s threat was gone, and with his defeat, the ice golems that had terrorized the city had crumbled to dust.

Katsuo held Xanus tightly, his eyes filled with worry as they approached the remnants of the palace courtyard. The battlefield was littered with the aftermath of their brutal conflict—collapsed structures, shattered ice golems, and the remnants of Izana's magic.

Around him, Katsuo could see the citizens of Milix emerging from the destruction, their faces a mixture of exhaustion and relief. Many were helping each other, pulling survivors from the wreckage, and slowly the city began to show signs of recovery. However, there was no time for Katsuo to celebrate just yet. Xanus's condition was critical, and they needed to act fast.

Zin, still astride his massive alpha wolf, guided them through the ruins, his sharp eyes scanning the area for their comrades. The alpha wolf moved with surprising grace, its large paws barely making a sound as it navigated the broken ground.

Katsuo’s heart raced with urgency, his thoughts solely focused on finding help for Xanus. His body was weak, and his breathing had grown even more shallow in the past few moments. Time was running out.

“We need Yumi,” Katsuo muttered, his voice filled with urgency as he glanced over at Zin. “She’s the only one who can heal him.”

Zin nodded, his usual calm demeanor replaced with grim determination. “I saw her near the front lines, helping Grant and Monica,” Zin replied, his eyes scanning the area.

“We’ll get there. Just hang on.” The tension in the air was palpable, the weight of the battle and its aftermath bearing down on them all. Zin urged the alpha wolf forward, the beast picking up speed as they made their way toward the front of the palace.

As they neared their destination, Katsuo could make out the familiar figures of Grant and Monica, both of them bloodied and battered from their own fights.

Grant was using his magic-imbued sword to slice through the last remaining ice creatures that still roamed the streets, while Monica darted around him, her dagger gleaming in the fading light as she swiftly dispatched any golems that tried to get too close.

Despite the exhaustion that weighed on them, they fought with precision and skill, a testament to their experience as seasoned adventurers.

“Grant! Monica!” Katsuo shouted, his voice cutting through the noise of battle. Both of them looked up, their eyes widening as they saw the state Xanus was in.

Without hesitation, Grant rushed over, his expression grim as he took in the sight of the blood-soaked prince. Monica followed closely behind, her brow furrowed with concern. “He’s not going to make it,” Katsuo said, his voice strained. “Where is she?”

“She’s just over there,” Monica said, pointing to a spot a little further down the street. Katsuo’s gaze followed her direction, and sure enough, Yumi was kneeling beside Captain Kurozawa, who was standing guard over a group of wounded civilians.

Yumi’s hands were glowing with healing magic as she worked tirelessly to tend to the injured, her face pale from the strain of using so much power. Despite her exhaustion, she continued to pour her energy into each person she healed, determined to save as many as she could.

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Katsuo wasted no time. He carefully lifted Xanus off the alpha wolf and carried him toward Yumi, his legs trembling with the effort but refusing to give in to the pain.

“Yumi!” he called out, his voice filled with desperation. Yumi looked up, her eyes widening as she saw the state Xanus was in.

Without a word, she rushed to Katsuo’s side, her hands already glowing with healing magic.

“He’s in bad shape,” Katsuo said quickly. “He was hit with an ice spear. He’s lost a lot of blood.”

“Katsuo!,” Grant began, his voice firm. “He’s a mage. He fought for Izana. We can’t just save him!.”

Serena, usually more gentle, nodded in agreement. “He’s one of them. After everything the mages did to Milix… are you sure this is the right choice?”

Katsuo’s heart pounded in his chest. He knew where they were coming from, knew that Xanus had been their enemy.

But he couldn’t let another life slip away, not when he could save him.

“I’ll take responsibility,” Katsuo said, his voice filled with urgency. “Whatever happens, I’ll answer for it. But I won’t let him die. I can’t let more people die.”

Grant and Serena exchanged a glance, their hesitation clear. But after a long, tense moment, they stepped aside.

“Fine,” Grant said, his voice hard. “But this is on you, Katsuo.”

Yumi nodded, her face set with determination as she placed her hands over Xanus’s wound. Her magic surged forth, golden light enveloping Xanus’s body as she worked to heal the damage.

Katsuo watched anxiously, his heart pounding in his chest as he prayed that she could save him in time. The glow of Yumi’s magic intensified, and slowly, the bleeding began to slow.

The gaping wound in Xanus’s side started to close, and his breathing, though still labored, grew steadier. But Yumi’s face was pale, and Katsuo could see that the strain was taking its toll on her.

“I’m doing everything I can,” Yumi whispered, her voice tight with concentration.

“His heart and lungs weren’t hit, but the wound was deep. He’s lost so much blood.” Katsuo’s stomach twisted as he knelt beside them, his hand gripping Xanus’s shoulder in silent support.

Xanus had been through so much, manipulated by Izana, used as a pawn in a game he didn’t want to play. Katsuo couldn’t let him die here, not after everything they had fought for.

Minutes passed, each one feeling like an eternity as Yumi continued her work. Her hands shook with exhaustion, but she refused to stop, her magic flowing steadily into Xanus’s body.

Slowly, color returned to Xanus’s face, and his breathing deepened, becoming more stable with each passing second. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Yumi’s magic faded, and she slumped forward, her strength nearly spent. Katsuo caught her before she could collapse completely, steadying her as she panted for breath.

“He’ll be okay,” Yumi said weakly, her voice barely a whisper.

“I... I stopped the bleeding, but he’ll need time to recover.” Relief flooded Katsuo’s chest, and he let out a long, shaky breath. Xanus was alive.

They had made it. He looked down at the prince, who was still unconscious but breathing steadily now. A small smile tugged at the corner of Katsuo’s lips. They had won the battle, and Xanus had survived.

As the group gathered around, the sense of relief was palpable. The Kingdom of Milix had been saved from destruction, and Izana’s reign of terror was finally over.

The citizens began to emerge from the wreckage, their eyes filled with gratitude as they looked to the adventurers who had risked their lives to protect them. But there was still work to be done. The kingdom needed to rebuild, and the scars left by the battle would take time to heal.

Captain Kurozawa, his armor dented and bloodied from his own fights, approached Katsuo and the others.

“You did it,” he said, his voice gruff but filled with respect.

“Milix stands because of you all.” Katsuo nodded, his exhaustion beginning to catch up to him. The battle had pushed him to his limits, both physically and emotionally, but hearing those words from the captain made it all worth it. They had fought hard, and they had won.

As reinforcements from the Aegis Guild arrived to help secure the city and tend to the wounded, the group began to prepare for their departure.

Katsuo stood beside Xanus, watching over him as the others worked to organize the survivors. His mind raced with thoughts of everything that had happened—the battles, the sacrifices, and the bonds that had been forged along the way.

Xanus, though once an enemy, had become an ally, someone Katsuo had fought alongside to save the kingdom.

Before they could leave Milix, however, Katsuo knew there was one more thing he needed to address.

He glanced over at Yumi, who was still resting after exhausting her healing powers. His heart ached at the thought of leaving her behind, but he knew it was necessary. Captain Kurozawa approached, his expression serious.

“You’re thinking about taking Yumi with you, aren’t you?” he asked, his voice calm but firm.

“But she’s needed here, Katsuo. The people of Milix still need her healing. You’ve done your part. Now it’s time for us to help the city rebuild.”

Katsuo nodded slowly, his gaze lingering on Yumi for a moment longer. He understood. Her healing abilities were too valuable to leave behind, especially considering that she would be next in line for the crown. As much as he wanted her to come with them, Milix needed her more.

“I get it,” Katsuo said softly, his voice filled with resignation.

“She’s staying here.” Captain Kurozawa gave him a nod of approval before turning back to oversee the rebuilding efforts.

Before the group could leave, a young boy—Sora—ran up to Katsuo, his eyes wide with excitement.

“Please, Katsuo!” Sora begged, his small hands clutching at the hem of Katsuo’s cloak.

“Take me with you! I want to come with you to Rokatheryl!” Katsuo glanced down at the boy, his heart warming at the sight of his eager face. He could see the determination in Sora’s eyes, the same spark that had driven Katsuo on his own journey.

Katsuo exchanged a look with Captain Kurozawa and Yumi, both of whom gave their approval with a nod.

“All right, Sora,” Katsuo said with a soft smile.

“You can come with us.” The boy’s face lit up with joy, and he hugged Katsuo tightly before running off to gather his things. With that, the group prepared to leave Milix behind, ready to return to the Aegis Guild and begin the next chapter of their journey.