Within the depths of her mind, silence reigned—until it didn't.
A presence stood before Crystal once more.
The Spirit of the Celestial Dragon.
Crystal met its gaze, calmer this time, steadier.
"It's you again."
The spirit said nothing at first, only watching her with stern, ancient eyes.
Crystal inhaled slowly. "We didn't start well… I know that. I tried to suppress you. That was my mistake." Her voice softened. "But I understand now. You're not here to control me… you're here to protect me."
The spirit tilted its head slightly.
Crystal stepped forward.
"I want us to trust each other. I'll trust you… so please—trust me too. Help me. Let's end this… together."
For a moment, the void stood still.
Then, the spirit smiled.
A knowing, satisfied smile.
Their hands met—
—and in an instant, they became one.
Thunder roared across Zerathion.
Lightning split the sky as Crystal ascended, her body engulfed in radiant energy. Her eyes glowed pure white, arcs of electricity dancing violently around her.
Below, Rhaegor dropped Azrion and Herold to the ground, his attention now fixed on her.
He laughed.
"Do you really think a little weather change can intimidate me?"
Crystal didn't respond.
Instead, lightning gathered in her palm—shaping itself into a blazing whip.
CRACK!
The strike landed with devastating force, sending Rhaegor crashing across the kingdom.
She hovered above, her lips curling into a faint grin.
"Intimidated yet?"
Her voice echoed—hers and the spirit's in perfect unison.
Rhaegor staggered to his feet, breathing heavily.
"Impressive…" he muttered. "But your performance ends here."
He raised the forbidden stone.
Dark energy surged violently, pulling back every trace of corruption it had spread. The zombified citizens froze instantly, their movements ceasing.
Then—
The stone drove itself into his chest.
Rhaegor screamed.
His body twisted, expanding into something monstrous—his eyes glowing with savage hunger.
He unleashed a wave of dark fire.
Crystal countered with a sphere of lightning—but the impact still sent her crashing into the ground.
The earth trembled beneath them.
For a brief moment, Crystal's true consciousness surfaced.
She looked around.
The destruction.
The fear.
The lives at risk.
We can't keep fighting like this…
Her breathing was uneven.
Too many people will get hurt.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" the spirit's voice echoed within her.
A faint smile appeared on Crystal's lips.
"You bet."
She rose slowly.
"Let's take this fight… away from them."
In a flash, she shot forward.
"Crystal…?"
Azrion's weak voice stopped her.
She turned.
He looked broken—but still standing.
"She can't do this alone… please… let her go."
Crystal descended gently before him.
She smiled.
"Don't worry… we've got this."
Their voices overlapped again—human and divine.
She pulled him close—
and kissed him.
He returned it, holding her as if afraid she'd disappear.
"This isn't goodbye… is it?" he whispered.
Crystal shook her head, smiling softly.
"It's good luck."
Then she turned—
—and launched herself at Rhaegor.
A thunder-charged punch sent him soaring skyward.
Water spiraled into form, shaping itself into a colossal dragon crackling with lightning.
With a powerful strike, she hurled him beyond the Earth's atmosphere—
—and followed.
Above the world, beneath the blood-red eclipse, their battle continued.
To those below, it was nothing but flashes of light and thunder tearing across the heavens.
But up there—
It was war.
Below…
As the sky roared with thunder and flashes of light, the battlefield grew still.
The zombified citizens of Zerathion no longer moved.
Ronan and Arnold rushed toward Ronan's father, relief washing over them as they saw him standing.
"Father… are you alright?" Ronan asked urgently.
"I'm fine," King Darius replied, though his gaze remained fixed on the sky.
Moments later, Azrion and Herold approached, both visibly worn from battle.
Ronan turned sharply.
"Azrion…?"
Arnold frowned. "You look terrible."
Ronan's expression hardened. "Wait… if you're here—where's my sister?"
Herold stepped forward, his voice calm but heavy.
"She's saving us."
Arnold blinked. "What do you mean?"
Herold gestured toward the sky, where thunder and lightning clashed endlessly.
"Look closely."
Ronan's eyes widened. "You're saying… that's Crystal?"
A tense silence followed.
Arnold clenched his fists, anger and fear mixing in his voice.
"You let her go alone?" he snapped. "You were with her, weren't you?!"
Ronan stepped closer. "Say something, Azrion. You promised—you'd protect her!"
Azrion lowered his gaze, his fists tightening.
"I tried…" his voice came out strained. "I did everything I could, but—"
"But what?!" Ronan cut in.
"Enough."
King Darius's voice was firm.
"This is not the time for blame. Azrion did what he could."
Ronan exhaled sharply, still shaken.
"Then we go after her."
Herold shook his head.
"That's not possible. Crystal can fight at that level because of the Celestial Dragon Mark… none of us can reach her."
Arnold's voice dropped.
"So… she's really out there… alone?"
Herold nodded.
"All we can do now… is trust her."
Silence fell again.
Then Azrion looked up at the sky, his eyes burning with determination.
"She will come back."
His voice was sharp. Certain.
"I know she will."
Above the World…
Rhaegor adapted quickly.
Using the stone's power, he began reflecting her attacks back at her.
Crystal's strength began to wane.
"You are worthy," he growled. "But that power… will be mine."
Crystal steadied herself.
Then—
She remembered.
The pale stone.
Given to her by the Supreme One.
Only five minutes…
She gripped it tightly.
"Then come take it."
Rhaegor charged.
At the perfect moment—
She struck.
The pale stone collided with the forbidden one embedded in his chest.
Rhaegor froze.
His power faltered instantly.
"What… is this?!"
Crystal smiled.
"Gotcha."
Lightning, water, and thunder surged around her, gathering into one overwhelming force.
Her dragon roared.
"This… is your end!"
Her voice thundered across space.
She launched forward—
All her power focused on one point.
The stone.
Rhaegor screamed.
"No… NOT LIKE THIS!"
But it was too late.
The impact shattered the forbidden stone—
—and with it, Rhaegor himself.
A blinding explosion consumed everything.
The victory came at a cost.
Crystal's body, battered and broken, began to fall.
The celestial mark faded.
Her vision dimmed.
I guess… this is goodbye…
A faint smile touched her lips.
But this time… my life meant something.
"CRYSTAL!"
Azrion appeared in a flash of fire, catching her just before she hit the ground.
She looked at him weakly.
"You always catch me…"
"We did it."
Her friends gathered around her.
Her family.
Her world.
"I'm sorry…" she whispered. "I wish we had more time…"
"Don't talk like that!" Arnold snapped.
She smiled at her father.
"Thank you… for being my father."
King Darius's voice trembled.
"I'm proud to be your father."
Azrion held her face.
"You're going to be fine."
She looked at him one last time.
"The eclipse… is over… I'm glad you're safe…"
Her hand slipped.
Her eyes closed.
The world fell silent.
Then—
Light broke through the sky.
A divine voice echoed.
"Your sacrifice shall never be forgotten."
Crystal's body began to rise, glowing with radiant energy.
Then—
She breathed.
Her eyes opened.
Azrion stared in disbelief.
"…how long have you been holding me?" she teased weakly.
Relief flooded his face as he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"So close," she murmured.
"Why? Aren't we supposed to be?" he replied.
She smiled.
"No."
He blinked. "No?"
She pulled him closer—
and kissed him deeply.
"We're meant to be this close."
They laughed softly.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you more."
Around them, joy returned.
Arnold hugged her tightly, apologizing over and over.
Maria soon arrived with crystal mother, tears in their eyes, joining the embrace.
Ronan and King Darius followed, holding her as if they'd never let go again.
"Never scare us like that again," Ronan said.
Crystal laughed softly. "I won't."
And from that day forward—
The curse was broken.
The eclipse ended.
And two kingdoms became one.
The End.