When Arielle appeared fully—
not as a ghost,
not as a whisper,
but as a presence that breathed—
the fire didn't flicker.
It bowed.
Even Lucius… stepped back.
Not in fear.
But in something deeper.
Respect.
Guilt.
Hope.
---
The girls surrounded the flame's edge, unsure whether to reach out—
or defend him.
Arielle opened her eyes.
Silver.
Sharp.
Soft.
And then she did the impossible.
She smiled at them.
---
Not with jealousy.
Not with bitterness.
With… something like warmth.
Like recognition.
Like she already knew them.
---
Her voice broke the silence.
"I'm not supposed to be here."
Velda flinched. Lilith's wings trembled. Claire blinked. Zara's hand moved near her blade.
"But I remember all of you."
She looked at each one—not past them. Not through them.
At them.
---
She walked to Velda first.
"You used to argue with me about fate. You said destiny wasn't real."
Pause.
"You were wrong."
Velda swallowed.
Arielle leaned forward.
"But I liked that you never apologized for it."
---
She turned to Zara next.
"You weren't meant to be in his life."
Zara growled slightly.
Arielle smiled. "You forced your way in anyway."
Zara didn't smile back.
But she didn't look away either.
"I remember that strength."
---
To Lilith.
"I trusted you once."
Lilith lowered her eyes.
"You failed me."
Pause.
"And I forgave you before I even died."
Lilith didn't speak.
But the pain eased—just a little.
---
Then she turned to Claire.
The softest.
The quietest.
The one holding back everything.
And Arielle—
Arielle hesitated.
"…You were never part of my story."
Claire's eyes flickered.
"But now I realize… you were always part of his."
She stepped forward.
Took Claire's hand.
"You're the one who stayed. Even when I couldn't."
Claire shook.
And for the first time—
Arielle hugged her.
And Claire broke.
---
Lucius stood still.
Watching.
Until Arielle turned to him last.
They said nothing.
But she nodded once.
"You finally remembered."
Lucius looked down.
"I didn't deserve to."
Arielle walked past him.
Placed her hand on his back.
"You didn't have to."
---
Then she looked at them all.
"Keep him alive."
She faded back into the fire.
Not gone.
Not erased.
Just resting.
And the girls looked at each other—
No longer as strangers competing.
But as parts of a soul she left behind.