The palace was quieter at night.
Not peaceful.
Just… restrained.
Like it was holding its breath after everything that had happened.
Liora stood at the edge of the eastern corridor, staring out through the open archway.
Beyond it—
Darkness stretched across the kingdom.
Endless.
Unfamiliar.
Free.
"…So this is it."
Her voice was soft.
Not afraid.
Just… aware.
Because once she stepped out—
There was no going back.
Not the same way.
Not as who she was before.
Footsteps echoed behind her.
Slow.
Steady.
She didn't turn.
"…You took your time."
Cairis stopped beside her.
Close.
But not too close.
"I had things to settle."
"Like giving up your entire life?"
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No regret.
Just truth.
Liora let out a quiet breath.
"…You're insane."
"I've been told that."
A faint, tired smile touched her lips.
Then faded.
"…You really didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did."
Silence.
Because arguing with him—
Was pointless.
They both knew it.
The wind moved softly through the corridor.
Cool.
Unfamiliar.
Carrying the scent of something distant.
Something unknown.
Liora stared out at it.
"…Do you even know where we're going?"
"No."
"…That's reassuring."
A pause.
Then—
"…But we'll figure it out."
She glanced at him briefly.
"…We?"
"Yes."
There it was again.
That word.
Still there.
Still persistent.
Still… dangerous.
Liora looked away.
"…You're really not giving me a choice."
"No."
Another pause.
"…I'm not."
And somehow—
That didn't frustrate her as much as it should have.
A distant bell rang somewhere in the palace.
Low.
Resonant.
A signal.
Not loud enough to cause panic.
But enough to spread.
To notify.
To prepare.
Liora's expression sharpened slightly.
"…They're already moving."
"Yes."
"They're not going to let this be easy."
"No."
Silence.
Then—
"…Good."
Cairis glanced at her.
"…Good?"
Her eyes didn't leave the horizon.
"If it was easy, it wouldn't mean anything."
A small pause.
"…And I need this to mean something."
Because otherwise—
Everything they had just given up—
Would be pointless.
The wind shifted again.
Stronger this time.
Pulling at her hair.
At her clothes.
Like it was urging her forward.
Liora stepped closer to the edge.
Looking down.
Far below—
The palace grounds stretched wide.
Guards patrolled.
More than usual.
More alert.
More prepared.
"…We're not walking out of the front gate."
"No."
"Good."
Because that would've been ridiculous.
Cairis stepped forward.
His wings unfurled slowly.
Dark.
Massive.
Commanding.
They caught the moonlight in sharp edges.
Power radiating off them effortlessly.
Liora watched them for a second.
"…You're showing off."
"No."
"…A little."
Silence.
Then—
"…Maybe."
A faint smile flickered again.
Then disappeared.
Cairis turned slightly toward her.
"…Can you handle it?"
Liora raised an eyebrow.
"Handle what?"
"This."
Before she could respond—
He stepped closer.
One arm wrapping around her waist.
Firm.
Secure.
Liora froze for a second.
Her breath caught slightly.
"…You could've warned me."
"I just did."
"That's not a warning."
Too late.
He moved.
The ground disappeared beneath them.
The air rushed past.
Cold.
Sharp.
Fast.
Liora's grip tightened instinctively.
"…Okay—this is—"
Her words cut off as they rose higher.
The palace shrinking beneath them.
Lights fading.
Guards scattering.
Shouts echoing faintly from below.
"They noticed."
"Yes."
"…You think?"
Despite everything—
There was a flicker of something in her voice.
Not fear.
Not panic.
Something lighter.
Alive.
The wind roared around them.
But Cairis's hold didn't waver.
Didn't loosen.
Didn't hesitate.
Liora glanced down briefly.
Then immediately looked away.
"…I'm not used to this."
"You will be."
"…That's not comforting."
Silence.
Then—
"…You'll get used to me too."
That—
That made her pause.
Her gaze shifted toward him.
"…Don't push your luck."
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"…Too late."
They flew further.
Faster.
The palace now a distant shadow behind them.
The kingdom stretching out ahead.
Unknown.
Unpredictable.
Dangerous.
And for the first time—
Truly theirs.
But not unnoticed.
From the highest tower—
A figure stood watching.
Vael.
His expression calm.
Unbothered.
Almost… pleased.
"…So it begins."
The wind moved around him.
But he didn't react.
Because everything was unfolding exactly as it should.
Separation.
Isolation.
Pressure.
The perfect conditions.
For something to grow.
Or break.
Far beyond the kingdom—
The Crimson Gate pulsed again.
Another crack splitting across its surface.
Wider this time.
Deeper.
And from within—
Something stirred.
In the sky—
Liora's grip loosened slightly.
Not from fear.
But from something else.
A strange feeling in her chest.
Not panic.
Not pain.
Just… awareness.
Like something had shifted.
"…Did you feel that?"
Cairis's expression darkened slightly.
"Yes."
That wasn't good.
"…Tell me that's not what I think it is."
Silence.
Then—
"…It's getting worse."
Her chest tightened.
"…Of course it is."
Because nothing about this was going to be easy.
She looked forward.
Into the darkness ahead.
"…Then we don't have time."
"No."
"Good."
Her voice steadied.
Stronger now.
Certain.
"Then we move faster."
Cairis didn't argue.
Didn't hesitate.
"…We will."
And together—
They disappeared into the night.