ALONE’S POV – THE NEXT DAY
The sun was warm through the bedroom window, but my body still ached from what I had endured. Zack never left my side, sleeping lightly beside me, one arm protectively wrapped around me even in his sleep.
For the first time in so long, I didn’t wake up in fear.
I woke up feeling safe. Loved.
But deep inside me, a storm was brewing.
Something was changing.
ZACK’S POV
As Alone slept peacefully beside me, I studied her face carefully. There was a new glow about her—an aura I couldn’t ignore.
The power of the Moonborn Prophecy was beginning to awaken inside her.
Her heart had fully bonded with mine.
The first stage of the final prophecy had been completed.
But it came at a price.
Dante’s dark forces weren’t fully defeated.
Rumors of a greater evil—the Dark Empress—stirring from the far kingdoms had reached my ears.
And if the final curse wasn’t broken soon…
we would both be in grave danger.
AT THE ROYAL COUNCIL HALL – WRITER’S POV
Zack called a secret meeting with Lucas and the Elders of the Hidden Kingdom.
“The girl Alone,” said Elder Mirk, “is no longer just a human girl. She is now a vessel of the ancient power. If Dante or the Empress captures her, the balance of the world will collapse.”
Zack stood firm. “Then we must move fast. Before the Blood Moon rises again.”
A plan was set in motion:
— Alone must be prepared for the Trial of the Heart.
— Their marriage ceremony must happen before the third full moon to fully seal the bond.
— And Dante must be hunted down before he regains enough strength to attack again.
ALONE’S POV – SAME DAY
As Zack explained everything to me, my heart raced.
I wasn’t just fighting for my own freedom anymore.
I was fighting for him.
For us.
For the world.
And though fear gnawed at my chest…
I knew I wouldn’t run.
“I’ll stand by you,” I said firmly, gripping Zack’s hand. “Until the end.”
He smiled—a smile so full of love and hope that it took my breath away.
“Then let’s prepare,” he said, lifting me to my feet. “Together.”
Because war was coming.
And together, we would either rise…
or fall.
—
ENDING SCENE: DANTE’S POV
Deep in the ruins of the Obsidian Fortress, Dante stirred, battered but not broken.
Beside him, a cloaked woman—the Dark Empress herself—emerged from the shadows.
“You failed,” she hissed.
Dante knelt, his face twisted in rage and shame. “Give me another chance.”
The Empress smiled cruelly. “Very well. But this time, we do it my way.”
Her eyes gleamed with dark magic as she whispered:
“Bring me the girl.”
And somewhere, far away, I shivered.
The real battle hadn’t even begun.
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