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Leo told Eva what two wishes she has to make.
"Mother, now all is up to you."
Eva's chest ached. Her lips trembled as she whispered, "Do you think this is going to work?"
"Yes, it's going to work. Just trust me."
"Okay…" she breathed, though doubt lingered in her eyes.
"Mother, and also—" Leo's hand moved, pulling a scroll from the air. The parchment shimmered faintly. "Remember this spell."
Her brows furrowed. "What spell?"
"The moment this dream ends, you have to chant this spell."
Confusion colored her voice. "What is this spell going to do?"
"The moment you chant it, everyone—except you and Zeradros—will freeze. Then you'll make the wish."
Eva flinched. "But why do I have to freeze everyone?"
"Because Master is there too."
Her face paled. "Master?.. Leo, who are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about Uncle Luca. He is there too. And you must say this spell to freeze him."
"To freeze… brother? But why?"
"Because there is no way Uncle Luca will let you make a wish and sacrifice yourself," Leo cried, his voice breaking. "Uncle Luca made a promise to Father—to take care of you."
Her lips parted. "He did…"
"Yes. So we must freeze him, or he'll stop you before you can save Father."
Eva closed her eyes, forcing back her tears, then slowly nodded. "Okay."
"Now remember this spell."
She forced herself to focus, reading it over and over, her lips moving in silence.
Finally, she lifted her gaze. "I have it remembered."
"Good." Leo's lips curved in a bittersweet smile. "Now… I'm sending you back, Mother."
"Wait… first, let me hug you one more time."
He nodded, smiling through his own tears.
Eva pulled him into her arms, clutching him as though she could anchor him to her heart forever. Her voice broke as she whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too, Mother."
They parted, his hands slipping away from hers.
"Now… are you ready, Mother?"
"Yes." Her tears shone in the dim dream-light.
"Bye."
And with that, the dream shattered like glass.
Eva's eyes flew open. She was in someone's arms—warm, trembling, desperate.
"...Sister-in-law, you woke up!" Luca's relieved voice filled her ears.
Eva looked at Luca, then pushed herself to her feet.
"Sister, don't stand up—you'll faint again," Luca warned, his voice thick with worry.
Her gaze lingered on him, soft and heavy with sorrow. "I'm sorry, brother."
"Sorry? Sorry for what—" he began, confused.
But before he could finish, Eva's lips parted and she began to chant in a voice both trembling and resolute:
"Eryndor shaelth, Varnis eltharim, Morathen eldoras, Thalor venaris!"
The air trembled as her words cut through the world like silver blades. Shadows twisted unnaturally, and the winds stilled. In an instant, everything froze—knights mid-step, guards mid-breath, even Luca, caught mid-motion. Only Eva and the colossal form of the Dragon King remained untouched, standing as if the universe had carved them from time itself.
Her chest heaved. "It worked."
Without wasting another breath, she ran toward the towering, black-scaled form before her. Zeradros's eyes, molten blue and fathomless, locked onto hers.
"Dragon King Zeradros," she called, her voice trembling yet firm.
The beast inclined his massive head, his roar rumbling like distant storms. "Speak."
"I want to make two wishes. Can you grant them?"
A flicker of surprise lit his eyes. "Two wishe—" He paused, realization dawning. "Very well. I will grant your two wishes. Tell me, what are they?"
Eva steadied her trembling hands. "My first wish… I want to go back in time, with my memory intact."
Zeradros's gaze sharpened. "And your second wish?"
Her lips quivered, hesitation gripping her throat. Finally, she whispered, "My second wish is… when I go back in time, and when I become pregnant… I want you to release yourself from the marble, and be born as my child."
She lifted her tear-streaked face. "Is that possible?"
Zeradros was silent, the weight of eons heavy in his stillness. At last, his voice rumbled like molten stone. "Yes. It is possible. But there is a condition."
Her brows knitted. "Condition? What condition?"
"I will be born as your child, but if I am born as a human, my power will be limited. If you are making this wish for power, you will be disappointed."
Her tears fell freely as she shook her head. "No… I won't be disappointed. It's not the power I'm after."
A low, approving growl shook the ground. "Very well then."
Her lips quivered with relief. "Then that is my second wish. Please… grant me these two wishes. And in return—" Her hand slid down to her belly, sobs tearing from her chest. "I sacrifice myself."
The Dragon King's eyes flared with celestial fire. "Your wishes will be granted."
A roar split the heavens, shaking the ground beneath her feet. Zeradros's eyes burned with blinding blue light, engulfing everything.
Eva's body crumpled to the earth, lifeless, her final tears still wet upon her face.
The sacrifice was made. The wishes were granted. And time itself began to shatter and turn back.
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