The “Three-Front Siege” (as it would later be known) officially ended when Sara’s meteor struck farmland a quarter mile away from the battlefield, creating a massive crater and explosion of wind and fire.
“Weapons in the cut!” Sara pointed at the massive gash that she had slashed into the fertile Lemoran soil, inadvertently creating a historical nickname for what would later be known as Lemora’s “Glass River.” The enemy troops complied, helping each other unbuckle their armor after they threw swords, shields, spears, and axes into “The Cut.”
Twenty minutes later, Edico pushed through the soldiers and took his place beside her. For a moment, he just stood there, perhaps waiting for her to speak, but after three minutes of silence, he chuckled. “Quite the entrance,” he said.
Sara turned to him, studying his face to determine whether he was concerned or grateful. Yet it felt like neither—it was that strange, unreadable countenance that only Edico seemed to have—in this life and the next. She always imagined that Marcus Aurelius shared Edico’s stoicism. She turned away and discarded her first reply, which was to shrug it off as if it were only natural, and instead said, “I was pissed.”
Edico grinned as he looked at the colossal trench in front of him. He prepared for a wisecrack but shrugged instead.
“Say it,” Sara grumbled.
Edico shook his head. “I was just thinking—“
Taylor’s voice suddenly cut through Lemora’s skies. “Can we get some help?”
Sara’s heart nearly stopped as she activated her amplification circle. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“There’s a fire to the south,” Taylor said. “We can’t put it out.”
“What’s on fire?” she asked.
“The prison. Raul’s there.”
“Why didn’t you say so!”
“He’s okay. We thought we could handle it.“
Sara ignored him, heart pounding as she whistled. Her silver glider (which had perched majestically on Lemora’s walls) flew down to her. “Can you handle this?” she quickly asked Edico as she mounted it.
“Of course,” Edico said.
Sara nodded and took to the skies. From above, she could see that all the fires in Lemora had been partially extinguished, creating a sweltering, tropical film on her skin as she flew. Yet there was one fire in the distance that made her blood run cold. “It is the prison…” she muttered. Negative feelings flooded over her as she watched the building burn in the distance. She turned to Taylor (who was flying beside her), “I’ll handle it!” Without waiting for his response, she flew full speed toward the billowing smoke that painted hazy shadows to the south.
2
Sara’s skin crawled when she saw hundreds of troops using water magic to put out the massive fire at the prison. The entire building was on fire, which looked impossible considering that the outer walls were made of stone. Sara flew to the ground and saw Emily and other healing mages surrounding Raul. She immediately jumped off her silver glider and rushed to him. “Raul!” she screamed.
“He’s fine, Lady Reece!” Emily said as she rushed up. “His mana channels are burning, though. Lord Grolis is bringing silverena just in case.”
Sara’s stress multiplied, and she called God’s Eyes, reading his mana channels. She sighed a breath of relief when she saw that his core and mana channels were stressed but not suffering from corruption. After a deep breath, she nodded. “Good work.”
Emily nodded. “Thanks….”
Sara shook her head and then turned to the fire. “I gotta go.” She left Emily and walked to the building—in no real hurry.
She approached two mages fighting the fire. “How long has this been burning?” she asked.
“My Lady!” All the mages in the area took a knee, cascading like falling dominoes.
Sara ignored them and looked at the building, engulfed in flames. “How long has this been burning?” she asked.
“An hour… probably,” a mage said, “since before you arrived. All the wooden structures within have burned and collapsed.”
Sara watched the flames licking the roof of the building. “Is there any hope that the people inside…?”
The mage shook his head. “Probably not. If they didn’t burn, they suffocated.”
Sara imagined smoke entering the array-locked doors, reinforced to prevent anyone but authorized mages from entering them. It was a disturbing thought—
—yet it filled her with a deep sense of relief that Mary and Trinov were dead.
Do you think you’re better than me? You’re worse! You’re seriously fucking worse! Mary yelled in Sara’s head when she felt relieved that they died.
And you’re dead, Sara thought back. Over time, Sara had allowed herself to replay that conversation in full and remember Mary’s next sentence: I fantasize about shit that would make your skin crawl, but I’m not nearly as bad as you are! There was no doubt: This Mary was the same as the Mary who tortured countless citizens before Sara seized control in her last life—and she was currently in prison for trying to kill Jason and Raul. She was a criminal. Trinov spiraled into paranoia in his last life—and this Trinov had made his descent in half the time, seizing Sara and trying to execute her for her power. King Lemings would've attacked Lemora—again—to restore balance, out of duty to his blood and his obligations to the Escaran Kingdom. There were just some things that she couldn’t change—things that were woven into the fabric of certain people and places. She couldn’t change Agronus or the demons, the way politics were played, or her love for drink. But the events from the day before proved that there were things that she could change. This time around, she felt that she could defeat Agronus and save Kyritus, Tiber, Emma, Raul, Edico, and the heroes. That hope overflowed in her heart, and for the first time, it drowned out the negativity and self-loathing attached to the darker side of her actions.
“I’m leading the rescue effort for Trinov Escar!” Sara yelled. “It’s our top priority, so I ask all skilled mages to follow me! The rest: focus on the female wing. Save the survivors—leave corpses for the end.” Then she walked into the building, mages following close behind her.
3
Sara felt deep relief as she summoned cold water magic to cool her skin and wash the soot away. Just seeing black water oozing off her arms to the ground, exposing fresh skin underneath, was a visual interpretation of how she felt when she entered the prison, only to realize that everyone had already died of asphyxiation before she even arrived. All of Lemora’s problems disappeared in that fire, from old kings and sadists to murderers, rapers, and thieves. Now, Alecov didn’t have to execute his father, and no heroes would ever find Mary (as Sara personally cremated her corpse after bringing Trinov Escar’s body out).
“Sara!”
Sara turned when she heard Emma’s voice and saw her running over to her. “Emma….” Her legs moved on her own as she ran to her friend, embracing her in a hug.
“Sara!” Emma sobbed, tightening her grip.
“Saying it again won’t do anything,” Sara chuckled, tears streaming from her eyes.
“Sorry,” Emma laughed, wiping her tears. “I-I’m so glad you’re back.”
Sara shook her head. “You guys had it handled.”
“No…. I mean, probably. But…. A lotta people would’ve died.”
Sara pursed her lips and then looked away. “Yeah,” she admitted. Quell and Markon attacked because Lemora was weak, and she and the heroes were gone. Once they arrived, the heroes didn’t know how to use their power to stop the battle—only how to fight. If she hadn’t arrived, they would’ve continued massacring troops or got shot down and been forced to brawl. It would’ve gotten messy. “But it’s over now,” Sara said.
Emma nodded. “Raul wants to see you.”
“He’s awake?”
“Yeah. He’s at the medical tent.”
Sara turned to the mage in charge of the cleanup. “Can you handle this?”
“Yes, mam,” she said with a salute.
Sara nodded and turned to Emma. “Let’s go.”
4
Sara found Raul sitting on a chair outside the medical tent when she arrived. He had no injuries and almost looked perfectly healthy, but she could tell by his rigidity that his mana channels made it painful to move. “How are you doing?” she asked, pulling two fold-out chairs out of her spatial ring for her and Emma.
“I’m never going to get used to that,” Raul chuckled.
“Oh, no,” Sara said, “you will.” She released a privacy spell, drowning out the sound of the wounded screaming and stressed mages inside. Raul looked at the dark blue dome around them with depleted eyes. “You will, she says,” Raul grumbled.
Emma giggled at his defeated expression, and he turned away with a wry smile. Yet that wry smile slowly degraded until it only reflected his inner turmoil.
Sara studied his expressions closely. “If you’re sorry about the fire—don’t be.”
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Raul flashed her a bright smile. “I let a king die. And you’re just gonna tell me, don’t worry about it?”
“You let a death row inmate die, Raul,” Sara corrected. “And you kicked the shit out of the only people who care.” Those people being King Lemings, King Quell, and Queen Markon.
Raul chuckled and shook his head, rubbing his eyes. “That’s bleak.”
“You know what’s more bleak?” Sara asked. “Alecov executing his own father for the sake of peace. That’s bleak.”
Raul frowned at Emma’s stiff expression. “Got me there,” he said.
“Now come on,” Sara said, turning to the city. “It’s almost sunset. The celebration’s waiting.”
5
Lemora shone brighter that night under the mana crystals and spells than it could have if the entire area had been on fire. The citizens learned of the victory and cheered in a grand procession as the war heroes walked through the streets in a parade, lavished with praise and cheers. Royal musicians played jentas and Lyonnia flutes in uplifting major melodies, and drummers became the heartbeat of the kingdom. At the head of the procession were the heroes—Sara, Raul, Emma, and Edico at the front—making their presence known to the world. Even Tim, who looked like he’d have a stroke from the attention, couldn’t help but get wrapped up in it. At some point, he lifted his jenta (which he was grumbling about not getting to play), and the crowd exploded in cheering, making Sara chuckle. Emma released healing spells into the crowd to help with their fatigue and hurting feet, making the crowd sparkle with admiration as she passed by. Emily frowned when it happened, and she ended up doing the same to represent the healing corps but turned bright red when the crowd on the opposite side started treating her like a god. Sara wished she was at the back instead of the front so she could see all of her heroes in their embarrassing glory. Yet she couldn’t, so she prayed she’d hear about it later.
Once they finished the victory lap, soldiers brought out casks and kegs and barrels of beer, spirits, and wine, filling up cups and passing them around freely. Bakers brought bread, butchers brought meat, and cooks cooked it with the royal chefs. Soldiers set up tables in the Alacom—town square—and people filed in, preparing for a celebration beyond any that they could’ve imagined.
Sara felt a strange feeling of static when she entered the Alacom, where thousands had gathered for a celebration. It was the same location where riots had broken out while she was in prison—the same place Telskal was executed to appease the population’s lust for blood. Now, it was a vibrant breeding ground of savory smells and positive emotions. It was hard to believe that it had been less than a year since that dark and hellish period following her rise to power passed.
Alecov was waiting for her at the head table, which had been elevated by three feet in the center near the recently replaced fountain. She kneeled to him. “My Liege,” she said.
“Rise,” Alecov said. “You’ve done well.”
“If it is your will,” Sara said. A servant pulled out a bottle of wine, and Sara’s heart began racing. This was a celebration—and celebrations needed wine. Yet she swallowed back her disappointment, indignation, and shame and shook her head. “Just water.”
The servant’s eyes widened in surprise but quickly nodded, pouring her water instead.
Sara sat beside Alecov, and then Raul, Emma, and the rest of the heroes (save for Andy, Darius, and Helen—who would get their own hero’s welcome) joined them, getting poured drinks and served food. Once everything was in place, Sara lifted her goblet high and gave a celebratory speech that was broadcast over the amplification circles for over a mile. Once she finished, she lifted her goblet to the heroes.
“Lemora!” Sara yelled. “While Lemings, Quell, and Markon need no introduction….” A few chuckles spread through the crowd. “Let me introduce you to your heroes—the ones that have protected you! The ones who won this war for you! And the ones… who will free this world of Agronus!”
A sharp melody of cheers and roars rippled through the atmosphere, making Will and the shier heroes cower their heads. Contrary to expectation, most people had not heard of the heroes. Their identities were kept secret before Sara’s takeover, and it mostly continued that way afterward to prevent the enemy forces from learning Lemora’s secrets. The soldiers knew of Raul and Jason, and every hospital and healing ward within the city had learned of Emma and Emily, but most of the citizens hadn’t even heard the name hero—
—but that was about to change.
“Before I do, I’d like to recognize those who aren’t here but will soon join us,” Sara said. “Their names are Lord Andy Trent, Lord Darius Wyattson, and Lady Helen Moore. Those three traveled into Lemings territory, pushing all the way to Teeka to crush Lemings’ army and establish a ceasefire! That’s why Lemings didn’t fight here today!”
Shock spread through the crowd, but it soon turned to delight and cheering.
“Two of us also fell during the fighting,” Sara said. The mood depleted in a second, and the heroes looked around nervously for those who were missing; those who were friends with them already knew. “We were ambushed while crossing over Hellom Pass, and Lord Wiles Bladely and Lady Jennifer Rothmore sacrificed their lives to protect Lord Timothy Richten, who rebuilt the ward to give Lord Martinez time to arrive, and Lord William Thomas, who reinforced our walls to keep you safe. They protected Lady Cole, the Saint of Lemora, who healed countless lives and countless others who contributed to our victory. Give Lord Wiles Bladely and Lady Jennifer Rothmore a hero’s send-off!”
A deafening response blocked out all other noise around them, and even Jacob and Marie, timid classmates who didn’t join the military and preferred to read and do accounting work, cried and screamed to the heavens to release pent-up emotions at their loss.
“We will hold a celebration for these heroes in three days’ time,” Sara said. “But for now, let me introduce the heroes that protected your lives and won this war!” Sara introduced Raul as the hero of the rebellion; Emma and Emily as the healers of Lemora; Will and the engineering team as those who created the earth maze and reinforced the walls; Elizabeth as the person who fought against the famed Keetas siblings; Tim as the hero who rebuilt the ward to buy Raul time; Tara as a budding leader; David, Sam, Kayley, Denise, Taylor, Beth and Killian as the mages of the strike force; and even Jacob and Marie, non-combatants that provided aid in other ways. Lastly, she ended with Andy, Darius, and Helen before closing out.
“These are your heroes!” Sara yelled. “The ones who will protect this kingdom and stand against Agronus in three years’ time!”
The heroes swelled with pride after the never-ending applause, laughing and crying, eating and celebrating, overwhelmed with positive emotions that cut through the terror of their actions.
That night was a celebration of the highest order and marked a golden year for the Escaran Kingdom—one of celebrations. Andy, Helen, and Darius returned three days later to a triumph, learning quite dramatically that they were famous. There was a massive feast in their honor, and Andy took that opportunity to propose in front of the whole kingdom—she said yes. Two months later there was another celebration as the two heroes got married in Golden Grove (where Edico and Sara passed through to get the silver moon bloom). They weren’t the only ones. Tim got married to Bessna Jeka, a jenta player, and the others found partners. As for Sara, she was lonely, thinking about her family in Telsenlore. It was even harder when Rokus returned without them and reunited with his family. Sara wondered if she had done enough to keep them safe—yet Daniel slept on—so she gave it another year. Yet she couldn’t deny the profound relief she had experienced after hearing that they were safe, Tiber was healthy, and that Kyritus had started a new tavern in Telsenlore, protected by bodyguards bought with Sara’s gold. Rokus also confirmed that he set up the endpoint for a spatial ring in a safe zone, providing her with a direct link to them. Likewise, they got the ability to send letters back through a second ring she gave them. That was exciting—until Sara went to write. Then, any dreams of romance died away. Her first letter read:
“Kyritus and Tiber,
I’m sorry for kidnapping you and sending you halfway across the continent to a hellish heat trap in the middle of the desert. I’m sure you hate your life, so here’s a ward that releases cooling magic. It’s the least I can do.
I’ve secured Hestiafern Tavern. You’ll be able to return soon with a budget to fix it, should you wish to return.
S
P.S. Please don’t use my name or others for your protection.”
Sara almost died when she placed the letter and the tiki torch-style ward into the safe that she built in the woods for the spatial ring’s endpoint. Yet two days later, she unlocked the safe and found two letters. They were very simple, but it made everything she did worth it.
“Dear Delina,
Tiber went shopping today. I’m not sure if you understand just how emotional that makes me, but it does. She has a life again, and if I had to burn Hestiafern to the ground to make that happen—I would. Even then, I wouldn’t complain. Mr. R treated us well and got us set up with a beautiful tavern here. It’s been a bit slow, as all start-ups are, but after you sent the cooling ward, people started paying for water just to sit down and cool down. Yet again, you’ve made our lives better.
I’m not sure what to say beyond thank you. But I’ll tell you this: the next time I see you… and I hope I see you… I’ll make you the best meal I can.
Kyritus”
The second read:
“Dear Delina,
You should’ve seen my brother. He spent six hours writing that letter and didn’t even say what he really felt! It’s really hot here, and he doesn’t like that. But he looooooooooooves you. Smooch smooch smooch. He says he doesn’t, but when he got your letter, he read it a lot. Like A LOT.
By the way, do you like my drawing of you? I’m not good at drawing, but Mr. R bought us pencils. Isn’t it cool? It’s the best I can do.
Miss you!
Tiber”
Sara didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when she saw a picture of a stick-figure woman with a massive sword that was three times larger than the woman’s body, pointing the blade to the sky as if she wanted to split it in two right next to the words: “Our Delina.” So she compromised by laughing right before bursting into tears, smiling, and wiping her eyes as she did it.
They don’t hate me, Sara thought. They don’t…. It made sense, given the situation and their personalities. Tiber loved her since the morning after they met in her last life (which was at age eight, the same age she was now), and Kyritus would do anything to heal Tiber—and she was now healed. Still… Sara didn’t think anyone could leave that encounter with a positive impression, but she was wrong. I’ll write them again later, she thought.
And that’s what she did.
One letter turned into two, two into four, and soon they were writing every night of the week. It would be a while until they would reunite—but at the very least, they would know each other when they saw each other next.
Alecov was crowned king at the end of summer after King Lemings, King Quell, and Queen Markov had surrendered and agreed to pay a 10% tribute to Lemora (both in wealth and soldiers) in the upcoming fight against Agronus. Thus, Alecov didn’t need to make any major decisions as king to start off—and there was no need to execute his father.
His brother Halter was a different story. Halter betrayed the kingdom and needed to be executed, but it didn’t prove to be an issue. Halter used to physically and emotionally abuse Alecov, so the teenager had no problem executing him.
It was Alecov’s first act as king.
After that, Alecov sat on the throne while Sara stood beside him (instead of sitting), slowly yet surely cocktailing her way out of a position of power. That wasn’t to say that she didn’t hold absolute authority. When she spoke or gave “advice,” Alecov and the rest of the advisors accepted her word as law. That said, they got into the habit of going to Alecov for his “advice” and only bringing in Sara for matters regarding the military and other preparations. That was—after all—her last remaining obligation to Reemada before she made her vanishing act—so she treated it with deference.
It was a hard winter for Lemorans, who had suffered severe economic hardship from the war, but nothing but hope and pride welled within them as they worked together, pushing aside any political grievances that they had before the siege.
As for the heroes, they continued their training every day, bonding with new light. Andy replaced Raul as leader, and Emily replaced Emma as the head mage, preparing Raul and Emma to join the “Vena”—the Agronus strike team. The name (Tim, a classical history lover, explained) was derived from the Latin words “Venator” and “Venatrix,” the male and female forms of “hunter” in Latin and also a type of gladiator. More importantly, it got rid of the pejorative term “Hero’s Party” forever.
Helen took over the engineering team, Darius switched to the mage corps, and Emily took over the healing team, preparing for the war effort that was approaching fast. They weren’t the same kids who were summoned three years ago. One war had transformed them from naive children into warriors carved out of wood.
With Mary dead and King Lemings taking formal responsibility for executing the dissidents, there was nothing that could break them apart. So, their bonds only increased as winter gave birth to spring, and the relationships and positions they all shared came to fruition. It would soon be summer when Sara and the Vena would set off to gain the artifacts necessary to fight Agronus—
—and Daniel would finally open his eyes.
-
[A/N: 4k word chapter! The official ending to this novel will have another chapter that feels less told. The challenge with web novels is that when you’re reading a normal book, you’ll love a longer ending with better pacing. But if I were to release these two chapters and a third, it would literally take until the end of the week to conclude this. That’s why you have a brisk ending here, so we can jump back into the story.]