LYRIAN
Mia's room was alive with laughter, perfume, and petals. The air shimmered faintly with magic as Diamond, Princess of Solaris, adjusted the final layer of Mia's gown.
As a fashion expert, Diamond had insisted the gown needed a little of her light touch.
Her golden energy flitted through the air like sunlight on glass, wrapping the bride in an ethereal glow.
"There," Diamond said proudly, stepping back with a flourish. "Perfection."
Mia turned to the mirror, her reflection stealing even her own breath. The gown flowed like liquid fire and light—a lovely blend of royalty and warmth.
"It looks much better now, Diamond.Thanks!" Mia praised, and Diamond beamed.
Mia tried to reach for the veil next, but her hands were trembling. She ended up knocking it over.
Lyrian, standing nearby with the rest of Resonance, caught it instantly.
Lyrian looked at her knowingly. Mia was trying to act excited about today, but her body betrayed her.
"Still nervous?" Lyrian asked softly, placing a gentle hand on Mia's shoulder.
Before Mia could answer, she tripped slightly over her train.
Her sister Seren, the maid of honor, caught her instantly. "Careful,sis! You don't want to ruin your dress."
Mia sighed and nodded, voice tight. "Sorry. I just—I'm so nervous."
"Everything's been going perfectly, Mia. You just have to breathe and enjoy your wedding," Seren told her.
Mia nodded, forcing a smile. "Right. Breathe."
Lyrian, seeing through it, leaned close and whispered, "If it's about Damon... you know Rhys is safe. Reone and the guards have this place locked down tight. The Legion guys are also here to back them up with us. No one's getting near."
At that, Mia's shoulders loosened. She turned and squeezed Lyrian's hand tightly.
"Thank you, Lyrian. I really needed to hear that."
A knock came at the door.
"Sweetheart?" Eldric's warm voice filled the air. He was Mia's adoptive father and Nova's dad.
Her biological father followed, King Cael. They were both dressed regally, both looking equally stunned at their daughter.
"You look..." Cael began, but Eldric finished the sentence: "...beyond beautiful."
"Rhys is one lucky man," Eldric added.
King Cael nodded in agreement, trying to hold back his tears.
Mia blushed.
Queen Selene, Mia's mom, chuckled, gently nudging her husband. "Don't you dare start crying now."
"You too, Dad," Nova told Eldric.
That made them all laugh—the perfect sound to ease Mia's nerves.
Then, from beyond the door, came the faint notes of the wedding march.
"It's time, everyone," Eldric said, holding out his arm to Mia. Cael mirrored him.
Mia drew in a deep, trembling breath.
"Alright. Let's do this."
Resonance took that as their cue to leave, fluttering into the golden corridor where the Legion waited in formation.
The hall shimmered with light and crystal flowers—every color refracting across the marble floor.
Reone stood among the groomsmen, looking uncharacteristically sophisticated in a dark tailored suit. When Resonance appeared, his violet eyes flicked instantly to Lyrian.
For a heartbeat, the world stilled.
She was radiant—a soft indigo gown that hugged her frame and sparkled faintly under the chandeliers. Her hair was pulled back with a streak of glittering blue—elegant yet effortless.
"Wow," Reone said, not being able to help himself.
When they all looked at him, he quickly masked his reaction and, ever so casually, said, "You all look great."
It didn't fool anyone. They all smiled knowingly except Lyrian, who blushed.
"Of course we look great," Diamond said proudly. "I assisted with everyone's looks!"
"And you guys don't look so bad yourselves," she added, tossing Sire a flirty glance.
Sire bowed dramatically. "Why, thank you, Princess. May I?"
She giggled and slipped her hand into his. "You may."
Around them, the others paired off—Nova with Mickey, Diamond with Sire—until only Lyrian and Dane, Seren's husband, remained.
As best man, Reone would walk with Seren, so Lyrian found herself next to the tall and charming wizard.
She smiled politely but couldn't help the flicker of jealousy in her chest that Reone was pairing with another girl. Ridiculous—and yet, there it was.
The music swelled, signaling the procession.
They walked in pairs down the aisle, magic light glinting across the hall as the crowd rose.
At the far end, Rhys stood waiting, regal in Echian gold and white.
When Mia finally appeared—flanked by both her fathers—every eye turned.
Lyrian caught Rhys's expression as he saw his bride: pure awe.
His mouth hung open.
Mia giggled. Just like that, all her nervousness melted away.
The ceremony unfolded like a dream. The vows, soft and heartfelt, echoed through the hall.
Selene dabbed at her eyes.
Diamond sniffled audibly.
And even Reone, standing behind Rhys, looked almost peaceful.
When the officiant finally said, "You may now kiss the bride," the hall erupted in cheers as their lips met.
Magic rippled outward in a wave of light, blessing the new King and Queen of Echian.
Lyrian clapped with everyone else, smiling through a sting of envy.
She was truly happy for Mia, truly... but a quiet ache settled in her chest.
Would she ever have something like that?
Instinctively, she looked at Reone—who was scanning the crowd suspiciously.
But then he turned, and their eyes met. The look in his eyes was intense.
She looked away instantly, cheeks warm, embarrassed to be caught staring.
---
Minutes later, laughter and music filled the grand ballroom. The celebration was alive—fairy lights floating like stars, a string quartet giving way to upbeat tunes, and tables overflowing with food.
Everyone seemed content, relaxed... except Reone.
He stood with the Legion near the back, but he watched the royal couple dancing like a hawk.
His instincts prickled—something didn't feel right to him.
But looking around, the wedding continued without issue. He wondered if it was just his imagination.
His gaze turned to Lyrian next, again. It happened automatically which was annoying, given what he promised himself last night.
"Try smiling, Reone," Mickey teased, grabbing his attention. "It's a wedding, not a battlefield."
"I am smiling," Reone said with a stoic look.
Sire chuckled. "Smiling or not, I'm just glad to see you again, Reone—and in a suit instead of your uniform for once."
"Yeah," Mickey added, eyes twinkling. "Though there's a ninety-seven percent chance he's concealing at least two weapons."
The guys looked at Reone for confirmation.
"Just a minor precaution, people. In case trouble stirs up," he said dryly.
Sire shook his head. "You can take the guy out of the uniform, but you can't take the uniform out of the guy."
They laughed—even Reone grinned that time.
Just then, Seren appeared, slightly flustered.
"Hey guys, have any of you seen Lyrian? She's supposed to perform in fifteen minutes."
Reone immediately pointed. "She's over there, with the rest of the girls."
His answer was a little too quick—which earned him a knowing smirk from Sire.
"Keeping tabs on her, huh?" Sire murmured.
Reone rolled his eyes.
"Can you get her for me?" Seren asked. "I have to handle something."
Sire elbowed Reone. "Go on, man. Go get your lady."
"You're exhausting," Reone muttered, but he was already moving towards Lyrian.
She turned just before he reached her, as if sensing him.
"Reone?"
"Hey," he greeted awkwardly. "So... you're up on stage soon. Seren asked me to get you."
Lyrian's heart dipped—so he didn't come to ask her to dance or anything. Despite everything,she couldn't help feeling disappointed, but she masked it with a small smile.
"Right."
She handed her glass to a waiter and fell into step beside him.
The air between them hummed witha tense energy.
Before they got far, someone called their names.
They turned to see Headmistress Meridith of Arcannum Academy.
Lyrian's face lit up as they embraced. Meridith warmly greeted Reone too, exclaiming how much she'd missed them and everyone else. She hadn't seen them since graduation—since the day they defeated the dark Sylphs, a memory both sweet and painful.
After a few minutes of catching up, Meridith excused herself with a smile, saying how proud she was of them—and how happy she was to see them still together.
Lyrian flushed, about to protest at Meriths assumption on her and Reone's relationship, but Meridith was already gone.
Lyrian smiled awkwardly at Reone who only shrugged.
Determined to keep things light, the two continued toward the backstage hall.
Lyrian got more nervous about her upcoming performance as they did, playing with her fingers.
Reone noticed this.
"Nervous?"
"A little," she admitted. "I've never performed for an entire kingdom before. And there are so manyimportantpeople."
"You'll be fine," he assured her quickly, his voice soft. "You're so talented, Lyrian. Just get up there and they'll love you."
Her lips curved into a shy smile. "Thanks."
At the dressing room door, Reone hesitated before speaking.
"Uh, break a leg," he said as Lyrian walked in, a bit awkward.
She laughed after he leaves.
"He was so cute," she murmured.
She then caught her reflection and sobered immediately.
"No, Lyrian. Get it together," she glared at herself in the mirror.
"Don't you dare fall for him again."
At that moment, someone came to call Lyrian to the stage.
"Be right there, thanks," she answered, not taking her eyes off her reflection.
Closing her eyes, Lyrian banished all thoughts from her mind until there was only her and the music.
No more Reone, she told herself once more.
It was showtime.
Taking one last deep breath, Lyrian made her way out the door.
---
When the lights of the ballroom dimmed, a hush fell.
Then Lyrian's voice rose—clear, melodic, magnetic—wrapping around every soul in the hall.
When she started dancing, everyone cheered and started to join her.
Lyrian dazzled them—radiant under the lights, her voice filling the space and her moves captivating.
Even Reone, posted near the back, forgot all about Damon and focused only on her.
It was evident to Lyrian that everyone was enjoying her performance and she smiled happy that everything was going well.
But toward the end of the song, Lyrian saw something suspicious on the floor.
Ever the professional, she kept singing, but her movements stopped, watching a cloaked figure slipping through the crowd, dagger glinting and... moving toward Rhys now.
Her eyes widened in horror.
"Rhys, look out!" she shouted mid-song, pointing.
Time froze.
Rhys turned just as a shadow lunged—but not quick enough.
And it might have been all over for him if Varek hadn't stepped in front of the blow.
The blade pierced the commander's chest and he went down.
"No!" Reone shouted, rushing forward.
A moment later he was dropping beside Varek.
The old warrior was struggling, and blood was coming out of his mouth.
Across the room, Damon lowered his hood, fury burning in his dark eyes as his plan was foiled once more.
"What have you done, Damon?" Rhys demanded.
"What you forced me to do," Damon hissed. "When you sit on my rightful throne!"
With a snarl, he raised his hand, dark magic exploding outward.
Spectral beasts—all teeth and shadows—burst through the ballroom.
Screams erupted from guests as chaos consumed the hall.
Resonance reacted instantly.
"Resonance! Transform!" Mia shouted.
Blinding light and energy erupted as the girls morphed into their sylph forms.
Wings of fire, water, sound, and light sliced through the air as they dove toward the monsters.
Nova was the first to attack.
"Logic Lock!" she barked, waves moving from her head and toward the beasts.
They faltered, disoriented by her attack.
Taking advantage of the opening, the others struck with full force.
"Sonic Burst!" Lyrian said.
She stretched out her hands, her sound shattering the air, sending monsters flying.
"Tidal Surge!" Seren's crashing waves slammed down, sweeping foes off their feet.
"Blazing Ember!" Mia's flames ripped through the air, scorching the beasts.
Diamond then took out the shadow beasts with her light energy.
"Luminous Lance!"
The Legion helped the palace soldiers take care of the beasts that the girls couldn't get to.
Amidst the chaos, Dane raised a shimmering shield around the guests, protecting them from any wild attacks that could cause them harm.
Reone remained at Varek's side, grief-stricken as the older man's eyes began to glaze over.
Tears slipped from Reone's own eyes as the truth hit him—that his mentor was dead.
With trembling hands, he gently closed Varek's eyes, then leaned forward, pressing his forehead against Varek's and whispering his love for the last time.
With immense effort, he forced himself to stand, rage and anguish coiling tight in his chest.
Varek's body lay behind him—a cold, silent weight.
His gaze snapped to Damon—who was still in a fight with Rhys.
He kept trying to hit him with dark energy spheres, but Rhys kept dodging.
As he was doing that, Rhys saw a soldier getting overwhelmed by one of Damon's creatures and ripped it away—but in doing that, he left himself open.
Using the opportunity, Damon unleashed a crackling bind of dark energy that trapped Rhys where he stood.
Rhys struggled, teeth gritted, but the spell held him fast.
Looking at him, Reone didn't think.
He charged, a shadow of fury tearing across the battlefield.
Just as Damon raised an energy sphere to finish Rhys, Reone pulled his sleeve away to activate the pulse watch on his wrist.
A metallic device shot forward, snapping onto Damon's arm and releasing a destabilizing surge of energy.
The spell around Rhys faltered—shuddered—then shattered.
Rhys dropped to the ground, rolling back into a defensive stance as the shock rippled through Damon.
Together, he and Reone faced Damon now.
Frustration flashed across Damon's face as he ripped the device free from himself, a snarl twisting his mouth.
"How thoughtful of your friend to finally join us, Rhys.I wanted to kill him too," Damon sneered, before raising his hands and unleashing a furious storm of power at them both.
But now, landing a hit proved far more difficult for him.
Having trained together, Reone and Rhys moved as one—countering, dodging, and striking with precision—driving Damon backward with each coordinated attack.
Meanwhile, Damon's beasts crumbled beneath the combined might of Resonance, the Legion, and others, their powers converging into an unstoppable force.
"No!" Damon exclaimed, seeing this.
"It's over, Damon!" Rhys roared. "Surrender!"
Damon clutched his side where Rhys had stabbed him.
But he was still standing, refusing to go down.
"Not yet," he said to Rhys.
His cunning eyes flicked to Mia behind the two guys, still busy cutting down his monsters.
Damon was being overwhelmed, and he knew it—but he didn't see why he had to go down alone.
Rhys saw Damon looking at his wife, and his eyes widened when he realized what he was planning.
Damon thrust his hand forward—a jagged bolt aimed straight at Mia's heart.
Mia, distracted, didn't see it.
"Mia!"
Rhys leapt instinctively, taking the hit.
"Rhys!" Reone yelled.
The hall went silent.
Mia turned and saw her husband on the floor.
She immediately went to him, dropping to her knees beside him.
"Rhys? Rhys. Open your eyes, Rhys!"
He didn't move.
"Rhys!" she cried again.
With everyone focused on the fallen prince, Damon took this unexpected opportunity to conjure a dark portal.
He wasn't sure if Rhys was mortally wounded, but he knew he couldn't stay to make sure—there was too much heat. He'd definitely get caught.
He would just have to pray and be hopeful.
Lyrian's eyes snapped to his movements.
"Damon's escaping!" Lyrian shouted.
Not wanting him to get away again, Lyrian shot into the air and followed him inside the portal before she could think better of it.
Reone watched her with wide eyes.
"Lyrian, wait—!" Reone called, but it was too late.
She had vanished into the darkness.
For a heartbeat, he froze—torn between staying with everyone and chasing Lyrian and Damon.
He looked at Rhys.
Mia and the others were with him and would take care of him, he told himself.
But Lyrian was alone, and he couldn't let her face Damon by herself. He also couldn't let Damon get away—not after what he had done.
With grim resolve, Reone sprinted forward and dove into the portal just before it closed.