In the midst of the jubilant chaos, Liora helped a wobbly Elowen steady herself before pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm sorry… I'm late," Liora whispered, her voice trembling with regretful sobs.
Elowen patted her back reassuringly, chuckling softly despite the emotional weight in the air. "late? No, your timing was absolutely perfect. Thank you, for saving me—for saving all of us."
But Liora couldn't shake her guilt. "but so many soldiers died because I wasn't here sooner…" she murmured, tears streaming down her face. Elowen tilted Liora's chin up gently, meeting her gaze with an unwavering smile.
"no, Liora. It's not your fault. If anything, those who fell would be grateful to you. Because of you, the rest of Sanctora gets to live in peace and hope. So cheer up, okay? Fight more, save more lives, keep this peace going—and make sure their sacrifices weren't in vain."
Her words carried warmth and conviction, enough to coax a small but genuine smile from Liora.
Not long after, Elder Gawain and Lucien came sprinting over, tears streaming down their faces as they joined the group hug, turning it into a teary, laughter-filled bundle of gratitude and relief.
Meanwhile, in the distance, Elder Cedric and Alaric were busy directing citizens—some tending to the wounded in medical tents, others gathering and evacuating the fallen warriors.
Amid the organized bustle, Cedric and Alaric managed to catch Liora's eyes. With heartfelt smiles, they placed their hands on their chests and gave her a small, respectful bow—a silent yet profound expression of thanks.
Eventually, Elowen broke free from the group hug, wiping away her own happy tears. "alright, alright," she said with a playful groan, leaning heavily on her own thigh.
"as much as I love this heartwarming moment, I need to lie down before my knees decide to betray me completely. Saving the world is exhausting work!" her comment earned a round of laughter, lightening the mood even further as everyone slowly began to transition from celebration to recovery.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, a familiar voice called out from a distance. "Lioraaaa… Lioraaaa!" Evelyn's tiny figure raced across the field, tears streaming down her face as she shouted and cried with joy, overwhelmed by how much she had missed Liora after days of separation.
Liora turned, her eyes lighting up as she sprinted toward Evelyn, meeting her halfway in an embrace so full of emotion that it brought smiles to the faces of everyone watching.
"I missed you so much, Liora!" Evelyn sobbed, clinging tightly to her friend. "I missed you too," Liora replied, her voice trembling with happiness. Liora held Evelyn close, feeling the warmth of her friend's embrace seep into her own weary soul.
For a moment, the weight of her burdens seemed lighter, replaced by the simple joy of being reunited. "I promised I'd come back," Liora murmured softly, brushing a strand of hair from Evelyn's tear-streaked face. "And I always keep my promises."
Around them, the fields swayed gently in the evening breeze, the golden light of sunset softening the harshness of the world they were fighting to protect.
Then, Evelyn pulled back slightly, her wide eyes shining with curiousity. "Liora, I saw a giant bird before—it was huge and beautiful! Did you see it too?" Liora chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck. "ye-yeah, I saw it too. You know what, Evelyn? If you're kind to everyone, listen to your mom, and behave well, maybe one day I'll introduce you to her. She might even let you ride on her back and fly high!"
Evelyn gasped, her excitement reaching new heights. "really?! I promise, I'll do all that, Liora!" laughing together, the two friends walked hand in hand back toward the fortress, their bond unbroken despite everything they'd been through.
By nightfall, the citizens had completed their somber yet heartfelt tasks—tending to the wounded, evacuating and cleaning the fallen warriors' bodies, and preparing a solemn mass offering to honor their sacrifice.
Food and drinks were laid out in the square, creating a bittersweet atmosphere where grief mingled with gratitude. Children, still too young to fully grasp the weight of the day, ran around laughing and playing, their innocence a poignant contrast to the deeper emotions swirlling among the adults.
Meanwhile, inside the council office, Grand Priest Agapios hosted a banquet of his own—though 'banquet' might be too polite a term. He devoured mountains of food with astonishing speed, leaving the elders staring in awe and guilt.
They marveled at his ability to sweep through plate after plate while simultaneously feeling ashamed for forgetting about him entirely during the chaos of battle and its aftermath.
Yet, despite their initial discomfort, the room eventually erupted into laughter, relief washing over them as they allowed themselves to celebrate survival and victory.
Outside, racing toward Sanctora from the neighboring kingdom came a horse-drawn carriage driven by a rugged-looking man. His determinataion was evident as he pushed forward without regard for the dangers of travelling at night, clearly intent on reaching the fortress by morning.
The next morning, the citizens of Sanctora gathered solemnly for a procession to honor the fallen soldiers. The battlefield where they had fought so valiantly would now serve as their final resting place.
Leading the somber ceremony was Grand Prient Agapios, who seemed to have regained his strength after last night's feast. With a voice both commanding and compassionate, he delivered a heartfell eulogy:
"O brave and honorable fallen warriors of Sanctora, though you are gone, all of you will forever remain in our hearts. Walk with us toward a brighter future, and may your deeds be told from generation to generation in our history. May you rest in peace and in the warm embrace of the Lord of Light. Amen."
The crowd stood silently, their heads bowed in reverence. Soldiers and citizens worked together to install a towering stone monument engraved with the names of every hero who had given their life.
As the ceremony concluded, some attendees returned home, while others lingered, reminiscing about their loved ones and sharing memories under the pale morning sky.
Back at the council office, inside one of its many chambers, Elowen lay recuperating on her bed. Beside her sat Liora, visiting her dear friend and mentor in hopes of speeding her recovery. Curiosity sparked in Elowen's eyes as she turned to Liora.
"so, what happened with your trial? Where's the bird going?" Liora chuckled softly, her expression tinged with uncertainty. "well, there are still many things I don't fully understand yet. But one thing I'm certain of is that the Phoenix—the source of Saint Felix's power—is now mine. She said I still have a long way to go before I can master it completely or control it fully."
Her mood darkened slightly at the thought of how much more she needed to learn. Sensing her doubt, Elowen squeezed her hand gently and smiled warmly.
"don't worry, Liora. You'll complete it soon—I know you can." Grateful for the reassurance, Liora replied softly, "thank you." Elowen waved off the gratitude with a grin. "don't mention it. I'll always support you, remember?"
Liora hesitated for a moment before asking, "so… what do I have to do now?" Elowen shifted slightly, attempting to sit up straighter. "well, since you asked, I suppose I should tell you now. Last night, the Six Great Mages contacted me using telepathy magic powder. They gave me instructions for what comes next—we're ordered to travel to the Windoria Kingdom and meet the High Chief as soon as I'm able to walk again."
Liora's eyes widened in panic. "W-wait… w-what?! We? You mean you and me, too? And so soon?" her voice trembled with anxiety. "I've never gone far outside the fortress walls—the Solara Temple is as far as I've ever been!" she fidgeted awkwardly, clearly overwhelmed by the sudden responsibility.
Elowen placed calming hand on hers once more. "there's always a first time for everything, Liora. And besides, you'll be traveling with me, so don't worry too much." Before Liora could respond, the chamber door burst open with a loud crash.
A booming voice filled the room, cutting through the quiet tension. "Lioraaa… Lioraaa! Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere? Those filthy orcs dare to attack when I was away?!" the rugged-looking man who's just arrived from the neighboring kingdom strode in without a second thought for propriety, his gaze fixed solely on Liora.
His abrupt arrival startled both women, though Elowen couldn't help but smirk faintly at the absurdity of the situation. Liora, still startled but regaining her composure, answered with a shy smile, "I'm okay, Unc. I'm fine."
At this, Elowen's eyes widened in shock. "Unc? You mean he's your uncle?" the rugged man swung his gaze to Elowen, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "you? What are you doing here? Did you do something to my lovely, beautiful niece?" he bellowed accusingly.
Elowen shot back without missing a beat, "does she look like someone who's been hurt? You ugly sucksmith!" the man gasped dramatically, pointing a finger at her.
"what did you say?! You spinstress ruthless witch!" he roared, stepping closer. But before he could finish his tirade, Elowen reared back and delivered an unexpected punch straight to his eye.
With a thud, the burly man collapsed onto the floor, knocked out cold. Liora stared at the scene unfolding before her—her uncle sprawled unconscious on the ground and Elowen standing over him with a look of defiant satisfaction.
Shaking her head in disbelief, Liora muttered under her breath, "wh-what in the light just happened?" her expression was a mix of shock, confusion, and reluctant amusement as the absurdity of it all began to sink in.
After the chaotic episode at the council office, Liora headed home with her uncle, who was now being carried on a stretcher by obliging soldiers.
Elowen had apologized profusely, though her tone hinted at lingering frustration. "I'm so sorry, Liora, but he really got on my nerves," she admitted.
Liora, still processing the absurdity of it all, stuttered out a reply: "i-it's o-okay, I guess…" she couldn't help but giggle shyly as she added, "he was the one being rude first, so I suppose he kind of deserved it."
With that, she continued toward the door then walk to her house, trying to shake off the whirlwind of emotions. Once inside, her uncle—now conscious—immediately launched into an exaggerated display of concern. "you can't be near her, my niece! She's bad news, and you could catch her curse!" he bellowed, pointing accusingly at the memory of Elowen.
"cu-curse?" Liora replied in confusion demand further explanation. "well, you know, the curse of being alone forever, without a man warming her bed." Liora's uncle whispered the conspiracy theory.
Liora chuckled, finding his antics both funny and endearing. "calm down, Unc. Let me explain everything from the start," she said soothingly. It took two full rounds of explanation (the first lap clearly not enough for him to fully grasp the situation), but eventually, her uncle began to understand—or at least accept—the circumstances.
Though he still grumbled about Elowen, his pride in Liora's newfound strength seemed to outweigh his skepticism. Then, puffing up with confidence, he declared loudly, "well then, it'll be easier now for you to snag a rich, honorable, handsome prince! That's what we're aiming for next, right?"
Liora awkwardly chuckled, scratching her head. "hmm… actually, I have to go to the Windoria Kingdom as soon as Elowen can walk again."
Her uncle nearly choked on his ale, spitting it everywhere in disbelief. "what?! Are you kidding me?!" he shouted, reigniting another round of commotion in their tiny house.
The argument raged until exhaustion—or perhaps drunkennes—finally overtook him, leaving him snoring loudly on the couch.
Next morning, The council chamber was alive with tension. Sunlight filtered through stained-glass windows, painting fractured hues across the polished oak table where the council members—Lucien, Gawain, Cedric, and Alaric—sat alongside Sanctora's four pillars of strength.
Master Osric, his hands still bearing traces of soil from the fields, represented the backbone of agriculture. Lady Yvonne, cunning and calculating, controlled the kingdom's trade and wealth.
Master Marcus, gruff and weathered by years at sea, understood the vital role of rivers and the bay in sustaining life. And Master Elias, one of the oldest scholars of magic and head of the academy, brought wisdom steeped in centuries of arcane study.
Liora sat quietly at the edge of the group, unsure why she'd been summoned. She glanced around nervously, clutching her staff as though it might offer some explanation. *Why am I here?* she wondered silently, watching the heated debates unfold.
The meeting began with Master Osric leaning forward, his voice heavy with concern. "We can't afford to divert more labor from the fields," he said firmly. "If we pull workers to train soldiers, the harvests will fail, and famine will follow."
Lady Yvonne scoffed, snapping her fan shut with a sharp crack. "And what of trade? If the merchants lose their workforce, our economy collapses. Who funds your precious army?" Her tone dripped with sarcasm, and Master Marcus grunted in agreement.
"The rivers and bay are our lifelines," Marcus growled, slamming a calloused hand on the table. "Fortify those, and we control supply lines. Starve the enemy, not ourselves." His words carried weight, but they sparked further disagreement.
Lucien frowned deeply. "Building fortresses along the coast is costly—and time-consuming. By the time they're finished, the orcs could already be at our gates."
Elias, who had remained silent until now, raised a frail hand. "The magic division is our greatest asset—and our greatest weakness. Our mages are skilled in healing and defense, but we lack offensive spells capable of turning the tide in battle."
He turned to Liora, his gaze piercing. "With your newfound power, perhaps you could share insights into developing such techniques?" Liora blinked, startled.
"M-me? But I'm just starting out myself!" she stammered, shrinking under the weight of attention. Lady Yvonne smirked smugly. "So much for relying on prodigies," she muttered under her breath.
Elias ignored her jab, pressing on. "Even hints would help. Knowledge grows when shared." Gawain nodded thoughtfully. "True. We could compile a manual—something future mages can build upon."
This suggestion reignited the debate. Master Osric shook his head vehemently. "Books won't feed us or defend us. We need action, not theories!" Cedric chimed in, his voice rising. "But knowledge is power! Without understanding how to innovate, we'll always be playing catch-up."
Alaric tried to mediate. "Both sides have merit. Perhaps we can strike a balance—allocate resources to both immediate needs and long-term strategies."
The discussion grew increasingly heated as each faction dug in their heels. Lady Yvonne leaned back in her chair, tapping her fan against her palm. "Fine. Let's say we invest in this 'magic manual.' Where does the funding come from? Who sacrifices what?"
Master Marcus slammed his fist again. "Enough about money! Survival isn't negotiable!" Lucien interjected sharply. "Survival means nothing if we bankrupt ourselves trying to achieve it. Every decision has consequences."
Master Osric sighed heavily. "Then let's compromise. Half the workforce trains while the other half tends the fields. Rotate weekly." Yvonne rolled her eyes. "And disrupt trade schedules? Merchants thrive on consistency, not chaos."
Elias rubbed his temples, clearly frustrated. "Must everything devolve into squabbling? The threat is real, and it's growing closer every day."
Gawain stepped in once more, her calm demeanor cutting through the noise. "Let's take a step back. What do we all agree on? That the army needs strengthening, the magic division requires upgrading, and infrastructure must be developed to deter future threats. Correct?"
Reluctantly, nods circled the table. "Good. Now, let's prioritize. Infrastructure first—it protects resources. Then the army, because numbers alone won't save us. Finally, magic, which offers versatility."
After hours of deliberation, a fragile consensus emerged. The eastern warehouses would be repurposed into training grounds for both soldiers and mages.
Watchtowers fortified with enchanted stone would rise along the bay, serving as dual-purpose defenses and signal posts. Farmers and merchants alike agreed to rotate shifts, ensuring neither food nor trade suffered irreparably.
As the meeting drew to a close, Elias approached Liora, his expression earnest. "Young mage, we ask one final favor of you before your departure. Share any insights you may have—no matter how small—on offensive magic. It could inspire breakthroughs for generations to come."
Liora hesitated, then nodded slowly. "I'll write down what I know," she said softly. "It's not much, but… maybe it'll help." With that promise secured, the council adjourned, leaving Liora to reflect on the weight of expectations placed upon her shoulders.
Tomorrow, she would leave for Windoria, carrying not only her staff but also the hopes of an entire kingdom.
A day later, as the first light of dawn broke over Sanctora's west gate, the scene was a mix of heartfelt farewells and comedic chaos. Outside the fortress walls stood the coachman, patiently waiting as Liora bid her final goodbyes.
Her uncle, tears streaming down his face, clung to her dramatically, wailing, "noooo… don't leave me, my niece! Let me go with you too!" Liora giggled shyly, patting his shoulder in an attempt to calm him.
"don't worry, uncle, I'll be in good hands on this journey." But instead of easing his theatrics, her words only made him louder—he turned to Grand Priest Agapios, sobbing uncontrollably into the poor man's shoulder for comfort. Agapios stood frozen, awkwardly enduring the embrace like a statue unsure how to react.
Meanwhile, the general limped forward, his gratitude evident despite his injuries. "thank you, Liora," he said earnestly. "you saved my life; without your help, I'd be resting with my comrades north of the wall."
Liora's guilt flickered across her face. "you don't need to thank me, general. I should've come sooner—you wouldn't have ended up like this."
The general laughed warmly, waving off her concern. "silly girl, I'm not that greedy. To be saved on the verge of death is more than I could ask for—and my family feels the same way." Behind him, his wife and childrens emerged, smiling and bowing deeply in gratitude.
Liora returned their warmth with a soft smile. Turning to Elowen, the general added, "and you, mage—without you, we wouldn't have survived even the first hit. As myself, and as the general of the army, I express our deepest thanks."
Elowen humbly shook her head. "it was a joint effort, general. Your soldiers played just as big a role—if not bigger." She paused, then added with a playful smirk, "instead of thanks, though, I want to ask a favor: next time, call me Elowen—and maybe skip the formalities."
The general chuckled, nodding warmly. Elder Gawain stepped forward next, handing both Liora and Elowen a parcel wrapped carefully. "here you go—we prepared these for your journey, in case you miss Sanctora's delicacies along the way. please have a safe travel, and we'll wait for your glorious return."
Liora accepted the gift with a grateful smile, bowing slightly. "thank you, Elders. I'll do my best not to bring shame to Sanctora." Just as they were about to climb into the carriage, Evelyn's voice rang out from afar.
"Liooooraaa… Liooooraaa!" the young girl sprinted toward them, and Liora turned back, running to meet her halfway.
They embraced tightly, so tight as if a full day of playing the day before wasn't enough, tears mingling with smile. "I'll miss you so much, Liora." Evelyn whispered, her voice trembling.
"me too, Evelyn. I'll miss all our playing time together." Everyone watching couldn't help but shed tears at the pure, inspiring bond between the two girls—it was beautiful and heartwarming.
Finally, Liora placed Evelyn gently into her mother's arms, giving one last wave before stepping toward the carriage. As it began to move, both Liora and Elowen faced backward, waving until Evelyn broke free once more, shouting, "Liooooraaa! I'll become a mage too! I'll study hard and get strong—I will join you on your journey someday!"
Liora called back with pride, "I can't wait for that day to come, Evelyn!" Slowly, the carriage picked up speed, disappearing beyond the horizon—but only temporarily. Their destinies awaited, filled with challenges, growth, and fulfillment.