Althea stood, cradling Kael's body, tears burning her eyes. Her rage vibrated through the chamber.The crystal heart pulsed.Her gift expanded.And she screamed not in fear, not in sorrow, but in power.A shockwave of pure emotion exploded from her love, loss, fury knocking every Nightveil soldier to the ground.
The leader staggered back, shocked.
"This isn't possible"
Althea rose into the air, glowing with silver light.
"You hurt the man I love," she said, voice echoing. "Now face the consequences."
She unleashed a burst of power that shattered the leader's mask, exposing a twisted face marked by darkness.
The earth cracked beneath him.
The chamber shook.The crystal heart released a beam of energy that struck him through the chest.
He screamed and dissolved into smoke.When the light faded, the Nightveil army fell back, fleeing into the shadows, defeated.Althea collapsed beside Kael.
"No, no, no Kael, stay with me," she whispered.She pressed her hands to his chest, channeling her final reserves of power.
"Feel me," she begged. "Come back to me."
For a moment,
Nothing.
Then
A heartbeat.
Weak, but real.
Kael opened his eyes, voice barely a whisper."You… saved me."She sobbed, kissing his forehead. "I need you."He reached up, touching her cheek."I'm not going anywhere."And she knew he meant it.