Peace doesn't come easily.
Dark forces—remnants of the forbidden pacts made by Lord Adrien—begin to rise in the outer provinces. Twisted elemental beasts, corrupted by human greed, attack the North.
Elira rides out with Kael and her people, wielding all six elements in a breathtaking display. The elemental kings appear one by one, lending her their full essence for a final test: to cleanse the land, not conquer it.
During the battle, Elira is wounded—her body burning from drawing too much elemental power at once.
Kael holds her in his arms, blood on his hands, whispering, "Don't leave me. Not now. Not when I've just found you."
She smiles weakly. "You didn't find me, Kael. We were always walking toward each other."
The kings offer her a choice—live and sever her bond with them, or die as the Elemental Vessel, sacrificing herself for balance.
Kael whispers, "Live. Please live. I will protect the balance. Just live."
And for him—she chooses life.
Her powers recede, balanced and gentle now. The kings vanish, their task complete.