CHAPTER 21 — The Siege of the Floating Tower
The capital awoke to sirens.
Above the city, the Floating Tower—once invisible—revealed itself, chained to the sky by crown magic.
And at its gates stood her.
Cloak torn by wind. Eyes glowing with portal-light.
"Who dares approach the royal sanctum?" guards shouted.
Alice raised her hand.
"I'm here to take back what you stole."
Magic exploded.
The ground cracked open, chains shattered, and for the first time in history, the tower fell—slowly, violently—toward the earth.
Inside, he's felt the impact in his bones.
"She's here," he breathed.
CHAPTER 22 — The Reunion in the Ruins
They found each other in the collapsing tower.
Smoke. Broken stone. Screams echoing far away.
For a moment, the war stopped.
"You came," he said, voice breaking.
Alice stepped forward, hands shaking—not from fear, but from everything she'd held in.
"I told you," she whispered. "I don't turn back."
Louis pulled her into his arms—tight, desperate, real.
Panels would linger here:
Her face buried in his chest.
His hands gripping her cloak like she might vanish.
"I remembered dying," louis said softly.
"And I remembered loving you more."
Alice smiled through tears.
"I remember losing you."
They kissed—not rushed, not perfect—just two souls proving they were alive.
CHAPTER 23 — The Crown's True Price
Princess Elythra watched from above, crown relic blazing.
"So that's what love looks like," she murmured. "How inefficient."
The crown reacted violently to their reunion.
Runes flared. The portal began to reopen—unstable, furious.
Ancient voices echoed:
To end the war between worlds, one anchor must remain.
The truth struck them at the same time.
Only one could stay behind.
"No," she said immediately.
Louis turned to her, eyes steady—too calm.
"I was born for this," he said. "Twice now."
Alice grabbed his collar. "Don't you dare decide alone again."
The portal widened, devouring the sky.
CHAPTER 24 — I Choose You (Even If It Hurts)
Battle erupted everywhere.
Royal knights. Crown Seekers. Magic tearing the capital apart.
He fought like a memory reborn—every spell precise, controlled, final.
Alice fought beside him—raw, defiant, unyielding.
Back to back.
Just like the first war.
"You promised," she shouted over the chaos. "No more sacrifices!"
Louis looked at her then—really looked.
"And you promised to live," he said gently.
Before Alice could react, he cast the spell.
Not to push her away—
But to seal her out.
The portal began to collapse—with him inside.
"No—!" Alice screamed, clawing at the light.
Louis smiled, tears falling freely.
"If love crosses worlds," he said,
"then find me again."
CHAPTER 25 — The World Without You
The portal sealed.
The crown shattered.
Princess Elythra fell to her knees—defeated, empty.
The war ended.
Again.
Alice stood alone in the ruins, hands bleeding, heart screaming in silence.
Weeks passed.
The world healed.
Alice didn't.
At night, she spoke to the stars.
"Don't you dare disappear," Alice whispered.
"I'll chase you across every world there is."
Somewhere—beyond space, beyond time—
Louis opened his eyes in darkness.
And felt her voice.