The echoes of the battle still lingered in the air.
Violet fragments drifted around Ryan as he knelt on the scorched ground, struggling to breathe.
His body trembled beneath the weight of the Second Shift—the mirror form—every muscle aching as if it were being forced back into its rightful place.
Nearby, Sera stood shoulder to shoulder with Rafa, the fairy she had summoned. Together, they fought to hold back the relentless waves of gray energy Siron released with each furious step forward. His presence was heavy, oppressive—his eyes blazing with intent as he advanced through the ruined clearing with absolute confidence.
Then it happened.
A sudden stillness spread across the battlefield.
At the center of the destruction stood Eileen.
Her blue hair floated gently, untouched by wind or gravity. Her right arm and leg…once torn away…now shone with pure blue light, flawless and whole, shaped from living energy itself. When she lifted her hand, the ground beneath Siron ignited.
A vast magic circle flared to life.
Not a common spell.
Not a borrowed technique.
It was royal.
The sealing circle locked into place beneath Siron's feet, ancient symbols burning with authority. A column of blue light surged upward, swallowing his scream before it could echo.
Ryan froze.
Sera held her breath.
Even Rafa fell silent.
And from the shadows, the Watcher did not move.
The chaos collapsed into stillness.
Far from the enchanted forest…
beyond valleys, beyond borders…
that same blue energy continued to travel.
It crossed mountains and stone like a silent tide until it reached one of the Eight Great Realms.
The Dwarven Kingdom.
Black mountains rose like blades against the sky, their interiors carved with endless tunnels glowing with molten light. Bridges of copper stretched over rivers of magma. Iron chains rattled as heavy carts rolled through the depths, carrying ore and fire.
The kingdom was alive.
Hammers rang without pause.
Children ran between workshops, laughing as they carried tools too large for their hands.
Metallic crops grew beneath controlled heat fields.
Soldiers in polished armor marched with disciplined precision.
It was a land of strength, tradition, and unbroken rhythm.
✦ The Royal Palace ✦
Deep within the mountain, beyond colossal stone gates, stood the palace—its pillars forged from black iron and copper veins.
Queen Mary sat upon her throne of carved stone, her presence filling the hall despite her stature. Her braided metallic hair caught the light of blue torches, and her sharp eyes missed nothing.
Four advisors stood nearby. Among them was Dorgal, scrolls and maps always at hand, his mind as vast as the tunnels beneath the kingdom.
Discussions flowed—structural reinforcements, mining routes, defensive plans.
Then the doors opened.
A dwarven messenger hurried in, bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty, an official delegation has arrived from the Fairy Kingdom."
The hall fell silent.
Queen Mary raised her gaze.
"A visit from the fairies?" she said calmly. "That is… unusual."
"Let them enter."
The massive doors parted, and the delegation stepped inside—light on their feet, wings folded in respect. Their garments shimmered faintly green.
At their head stood a young fairy with silver hair and eyes that carried the depth of ancient forests.
He bowed.
"Your Majesty, we come to request an urgent council regarding disturbances in the flow of energy between the realms."
The advisors exchanged looks.
"Disturbances?" Queen Mary asked. "Be specific."
The fairy straightened.
"I am Lunaire, envoy of the Fairy Kingdom. We believe cooperation with the Dwarven Kingdom is necessary to examine these irregularities."
The queen studied him carefully.
This was not a simple visit.
"Very well," she said at last. "You will speak. But understand this—nothing crosses my kingdom without reason."
Lunaire's expression remained calm, though something flickered briefly in his eyes.
Far away, in the heart of the forest…
Eileen still stood within the fading blue radiance, unaware that her awakening had already reached the ears of kings and queens.
And that the balance between the realms had begun to shift.