The Gray Realm fell silent. The fragmented blood moon hung in the sky, like a dying eye still shedding dark red tears of light.
Elea nestled in Lucian's arms, her body weakened by the cost of the Soul-Scorching Ring. Their breathing had not yet steadied, yet in this moment, they felt a rare tranquility.
But the silence lasted only a few breaths.
From the shattered void came a low, hoarse murmur.
"Do you think… it's over…"
Ashen tentacles crawled slowly from cracks in the earth, into the Shattered Moon King's residual soul. It had lost its massive form, yet transformed into countless shadowy images, swarming toward them like soul-devouring insects.
Elea's eyes flew open, her face pale, yet she still summoned the soul-scorching fire: "He… isn't dead."
Lucian pressed his hand over hers, his voice low and resolute: "Then we'll burn again."
Their pressed bodies merged once more, flames rising rapidly with desire. Elea trembled in a moan, soul fire spreading from her back like unfurling wings. Lucian's lips met hers, deep and blazing—each thrust causing the ring of flames to surge.
The residual souls shrieked, hundreds of shadows pouncing forward, only to vanish into ash the moment they touched the soul-scorching pact around them.
Elea's fingertips dug into Lucian's skin, her voice by the mix of pleasure and pain: "Faster… don't stop… I can feel it… He's retreating!"
Lucian bit her earlobe, growling: "I'll make him disappear completely."
Their souls' union reached its limit. The Soul-Scorching Ring transformed into a fire wheel, exploding from the altar's heart to devour the entire Gray Realm.
The Shattered Moon King's residual soul writhed in the flames, howling: "Desire… will devour you yourselves!"
Tears glistened in Elea's eyes, yet her smile was firm: "Then let desire… be the blade that devours you!"
With their final union, the Soul-Scorching Ring closed completely, crushing the Shattered Moon King's residual soul into ash.
The Gray Realm fell into a collapse-like silence.
Remaining flames drifted, the world seeming hollowed out by fire.
Elea trembled all over, weak to the point of fainting, yet still nestled in Lucian's arms, murmuring: "It's over… is it really over?"
Lucian held her tightly, his lips brushing hers, his voice steady: "As long as you're here, I fear no more burning."
Amid the embers of their embrace, the Gray Realm finally settled into darkness and silence.