"I may not be Crystal," she whispered to her reflection, voice steady despite the storm within her, "but I am Grace. And if I was given another chance in Crystal's body… then there must be a reason. It means I'm the one meant to finish this."
As her words faded, the shifting images within the mirror dissolved into nothingness. In their place, a single path appeared—clear, radiant, and undeniable.
Elsewhere, Azrion fell hard against the cold stone floor of a dark hall. The air was suffocating, sharp with frost, and every breath burned his lungs. The hall was riddled with deadly traps—blades slicing through the air, spikes emerging without warning, shadows that seemed alive.
Each step he took was a gamble with death.
Yet somehow, through sheer will and determination, he endured. Bruised, exhausted, but alive—he finally escaped.
After what felt like hours wandering the mountain, fate brought them together once more.
"Azrion… is that you?" Crystal called out weakly, her voice trembling with exhaustion.
"Crystal… of course it's me," he replied, rushing toward her. "Are you alright? You don't look so good."
"I'm fine," she said, forcing a faint smile. "What about you?"
"I've been better," he admitted with a soft chuckle.
They sat together on a nearby rock, the weight of their journey pressing heavily on them.
"This place…" Crystal murmured, glancing around uneasily. "It's terrifying. Do you think we'll ever find answers?"
"We will," Azrion said firmly. "Nothing worth having comes easy. And besides…" he paused, tilting his head. "did you hear that..i think I hear something."
Crystal blinked. "That's just my stomach growling."
Azrion smirked. "Wow. For a princess, that's surprisingly loud."
"Oh, please." She nudged him lightly.
Suddenly, the ground began to tremble.
A deep rumble echoed through the mountain.
Azrion raised an eyebrow. "wow...Your stomach is getting louder."
Crystal's expression turned serious. "That's not my stomach."
The rock beneath them cracked and crumbled. The ground split apart as two massive pillars rose from the earth before them. Between them, a swirling portal formed, glowing with an otherworldly light.
They stared in stunned silence.
Crystal stepped forward instinctively—but Azrion quickly grabbed her hand, pulling her back.
"Wait. What if it's a trap? Or some kind of illusion?"
Crystal tightened her grip on his hand, her eyes filled with determination.
"Then we face it together," she said softly. "You said we'd find answers… so let's take the chance."
Azrion hesitated for a moment… then smiled.
"Alright, my dear princess."
Hand in hand, they stepped into the portal.
They emerged into a breathtaking throne room.
The space was vast, glowing with a pure white radiance. The air itself felt alive—calm, powerful, divine. Towering above them were five grand seats, each occupied by a Dragon General, their presence overwhelming.
At the forefront stood a sixth throne—the highest of all. It radiated authority and power far beyond the others.
Azrion and Crystal stood at the center, still holding hands.
"Who dares to journey past Mount Solemn… and enter our domain?" one of the generals spoke, their voice echoing like thunder.
Azrion stepped forward, his heart pounding but his posture firm.
"I am Azrion, prince and heir of Zerathion. And this is Princess Crystal of Aetherion. We've come… to break the curse."
A murmur spread among them.
"You think you can simply walk in here," one general scoffed, "and demand the undoing of something decided generations ago?"
"That 'curse'," another added coldly, "was a judgment made for the good of both clans."
Azrion's fists clenched. "My father died because of that . Tell me—how is that good?"
"Azrion," Crystal whispered, gently touching his arm. "Calm down."
"How dare you!" another general snapped.
"Enough."
The room fell silent instantly.
The Supreme Ruler had spoken.
"They have come a great distance," she said, her voice calm yet commanding. "With determination—and perhaps pure intent. Let them speak."
Silence lingered.
Then she turned her gaze toward them.
"Azrion. Crystal. Why do you wish to undo the curse? It was a decision made long ago. Why challenge it now?"
Crystal stepped forward, her voice steady despite her racing heart.
"Our ancestors may have made mistakes… but that doesn't mean we should be bound by them forever. Please… give us a chance to prove that both dragon bloodlines can coexist—in harmony… in peace… even in love."
A faint hum of contemplation filled the room.
"Hmmm…" the Supreme Ruler mused. "What if I told you… the curse cannot be lifted?"
Crystal's breath caught.
"But," the ruler continued, "you may choose who survives the Blood Eclipse. You… or your beloved Azrion."
The words struck like lightning.
"No…" Crystal whispered. "That can't be true… there has to be another way."
"I'm afraid not," the ruler replied gently. "Unless… the solution lies within the two of you. Otherwise, the choice remains."
Silence fell heavily between them.
Crystal's thoughts spiraled.
After everything… is this how it ends? Did I ruin her life… just like I ruined mine?
Then—
"Crystal can live."
Her head snapped up.
"What?!" she stared at Azrion. "Are you insane?"
"I can't bear to see you die," he said quietly.
"Oh, so now you're my knight in shining armor?" she shot back.
He gave a faint smile. "I wish I could be more than that."
Her expression softened.
"You already are," she said firmly. "And I'm not letting you die either. You made a promise to your mother."
"Hmmm… how interesting," the Supreme Ruler murmured.
Suddenly, both of them staggered.
A wave of weakness washed over their bodies.
"What's happening?" Crystal gasped.
Azrion frowned. "I felt this before… on our way here."
The Supreme Ruler's expression darkened slightly.
"It seems," she said slowly, "that both your kingdoms are in danger."
Azrion's eyes widened. "What? Who would dare—"
"The one who wields the Forbidden Emerald," she interrupted.
A tense silence followed.
Then, one of the generals spoke with clear disgust.
"Rhaegor."