Cold wind threaded its way through the hidden fortress, slipping between stone pillars and blue-lit lanterns like a living thing. Nia stood unmoving at the center of the hall, her golden eyes reflecting the dim flames, her posture calm enough to feel dangerous. Around her gathered those who had survived Nyx's rise — Carl, Raym, Morvain, Rieta, Ziess, Saya, Joey, and the Huns — each carrying wounds that no spell could erase. When she finally spoke, her voice was level, unshaking, and final."We find Ryko first," she said. "Then we use him to end Nyx."
The silence that followed felt heavier than shouting. Ziess broke it, stepping forward, his doubt cutting through the stillness. "Ryko Boyle doesn't get found. He vanishes."Nia turned her gaze toward him slowly, as if weighing the cost of patience. "Then we won't hunt him," she replied. "We will invite him." She let the words sink in before continuing. "We pretend to be his allies. We give him what he wants — hatred, validation, and the promise of revenge against Nyx." A ripple of unease moved through the group. Carl frowned. "And while we lie to the most dangerous traitor in history?""While we prepare the weapon," Nia said simply.
Her attention shifted toward Morvain and Saya, and the air seemed to tighten. "You will retrieve the Ancestor Dagger of the Mare bloodline. It is the only relic capable of turning Nyx to ash." Carl stiffened at that. "Even I didn't know such a thing existed.""I did," Nia replied, her lips curving faintly. "I read about it in the Book of Damned."
The torches hissed. Rieta swallowed. "That book isn't supposed to exist.""It does," Nia said. "And Nyx is planning something that will make coronations look insignificant."
The Huns nodded grimly, armor marked by wars older than kingdoms. Raym's voice emerged quietly from the edge of the hall. "Nyx never moves without purpose. Every loss feeds a larger design.""Which is why we let Ryko strike," Nia said. "If we face Nyx ourselves, we die before he bleeds. But Ryko's pride will summon him alone."Hope stirred — sharp, dangerous, fragile."Then it begins," Morvain said, rising. Destiny tightened its grip.
Night closed around Morvain, Saya, and the Blue Hun as they reached the ruins of the Mare estate. The air smelled of dust and old grief, tombstones whispering beneath the wind. Beneath Pony Mare's grave, sealed by spells older than recorded history, the Blue Hun murmured incantations that made the stone tremble. Sigils ignited, revealing a staircase descending into black."This place remembers blood," Saya whispered.At the crypt's heart stood a silver coffin, glowing faintly blue. A voice thundered through the chamber — Pony Mare's spirit rising in mist and memory."Who dares touch the relic of the bloodline?"Morvain bowed. "Your descendants seek justice."The silence stretched — then light exploded outward. The coffin split, revealing a dagger forged of moonfire and bone, pulsing as though alive. The Mare Dagger had awakened.
Far away, Shallow Island breathed rot and fog. Serpents whispered beneath moss-covered ground as Nia's group moved through the mist."He's here," the Wind Hun murmured.They split without hesitation. Carl, Raym, Joey, and the Steam Hun vanished east. Nia led the others west along the shattered coast, the sea crashing like a warning."Ryko hides where death feels alive," she whispered. They could feel him — coiled, waiting — and they did not know they were already being watched.
High above York Empire, Nyx walked beside Stacy through a garden newly shaped by magic. Lilies, peonies, and moonblossoms glowed beneath silver rain."Do you like it?" he asked softly."It's beautiful," she whispered.They danced beneath conjured flowers, laughter fragile and fleeting. Nyx knelt, offering a single bloom. "Will you marry me?""Yes."For one stolen eternity, they rose above the empire, wings cutting through moonlight."What if none of this had happened?" Stacy asked quietly."The curse would've killed one of us," Nyx replied.The truth shattered the moment. She watched him disappear into silver fog.
Alone on the balcony, Stacy whispered to the moon, "I love him… even if it's destroying me."
The empire slept.The hunt had begun.