The dawn stretched across the sky in hues of pale gold and violet, a soft, deceptive calm settling over the battlefield. The cold wind whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of smoke and sorrow. Jace’s legs felt like lead, his body screaming for rest, but his mind refused to relent. He clenched his fists as he took in the scene around him. The Phantom King was gone, but his victory tasted bitter. The ache of loss pressed heavily against his chest, tightening like an iron vice.Erynn’s quiet sobs pierced the silence, each one a dagger to Jace’s heart. Aila held her, their shared grief radiating between them like an invisible bond. The ground where Lorian had laid on Erynn's arm moments ago was now empty, the air charged with an eerie stillness.Jace closed his eyes, trying to calm the storm inside him, but images of Lorian’s sacrifice and the Phantom King’s mocking grin flashed behind his eyelids. His rage, held at bay by sheer force of will, threatened to erupt again. He took

The fire’s glow dimmed as dawn’s first light crept into the cave, bathing the walls in hues of soft orange and gray. Jace stirred, the exhaustion of their recent battle still clinging to his body. The air was filled with the faint scent of ash and damp earth. He felt Aila’s hand still resting in his, a tether that held him to reality. His eyes flickered open to find her already awake, watching him, a mixture of concern and quiet resolve in her gaze.He squeezed her hand gently, offering a faint smile. For now, that was enough.Riven leaned against the cave wall, his silver eyes distant as if they were peering into memories that lingered just beyond reach. His raven-black hair fell over his brow, casting shadows across his sharp features. He seemed untouched by sleep, a figure carved out of stillness and watchfulness. When he noticed Jace stirring, he straightened.“We need to talk,” Riven said quietly, his voice smooth but edged with tension.Jace pushed himself up, careful not to dis

The fire burned low, it's embers pulsing softly like the heartbeat of the night. The silence of the forest wrapped around them, broken only by the crackle of burning wood and the occasional whisper of the wind through the trees. Jace’s eyes scanned the clearing, ever watchful, though his body was heavy with exhaustion. Aila leaned against him, her warmth a steadying comfort, her eyes reflecting the dying light.On the other side of the fire, Erynn and Riven sat side by side, the space between them narrowing as if the night itself was drawing them closer. Erynn was smiling, a rare and welcome sight, and Riven seemed different around her, less like a blade poised for attack and more like a man who’d just remembered he was alive.Jace let out a slow breath and rubbed his temples. For the first time in what felt like forever, they weren’t fighting or fleeing. It was a fragile peace, but it was peace nonetheless. He turned his gaze to the sky, the stars twinkling like tiny promises of hope

The clash of steel and shadow echoed through the forest, a symphony of chaos and desperation. Jace’s sword was a blur of motion, each swing slicing through the smoky forms of the Phantom King’s scouts. But for every shadow he cut down, two more emerged, their dark forms reforming with an eerie fluidity. His arms burned, his muscles screaming for relief, but he refused to falter.Beside him, Aila’s hands blazed with golden light, arcs of energy crackling through the air. Her magic seared the shadows, their forms shriveling and dissipating under her onslaught. Her jaw was set, her eyes fierce with determination. Sweat glistened on her brow, but she didn’t waver, standing her ground like an unbreakable pillar of light."Erynn! On your left!" Jace shouted.Erynn spun with lightning speed, her twin daggers flashing like fangs. She plunged one blade into a shadowy figure, and it let out a guttural hiss before dissolving into a cloud of black mist. But as she turned, another form lunged at h

Jace took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the world pressing on his shoulders, but he also felt something else, a flicker of hope. The Phantom King was gone for now, but the darkness in the air still felt palpable, like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike again. He looked around at his friends, their faces weary yet resolute, and he knew they couldn't stop here. Not yet.Aila gently squeezed his hand, grounding him in the moment. Her eyes glimmered with exhaustion, but her determination was unwavering. “We need to find a safe place to rest, Jace. You’ve pushed yourself too far.”Jace nodded. “You're right.” His voice was hoarse, the toll of the battle evident in his strained words. He turned to Caelum, who was leaning heavily on his makeshift staff. “Caelum, any ideas?”Caelum wiped a streak of blood from his cheek. “There’s an old ruin not far from here. I’ve read about it in the ancient texts, a fortress built by the first Guardians. If it still stands, it might b