The gates of the Empire loomed ahead, massive and gilded, flanked by banners that once fluttered proudly in the wind. Now, the air was stagnant, heavy with unseen menace.
Selene hesitated, glancing up at Lucien.
"This is where we part ways," he said, voice low and almost... distant.
She swallowed hard. "You'll leave now?"
Lucien nodded, his golden eyes unreadable. "Your kingdom awaits you. You will be safe here."
But as Selene stepped forward, she felt it — that faint, gnawing wrongness in the air. A chill whispered through her bones.
Lucien watched her for a long moment, his face unreadable, then turned without another word, vanishing into the forest's shadows.
Selene drew a shaky breath and crossed the threshold into her home.
—
The palace was strangely quiet.
Gone were the bustling servants, the warm laughter of courtiers, the gleam of life. Instead, silent figures lined the halls, faces hidden by dark veils.
At last, she found her father seated upon his throne.
"Father!" she cried, rushing forward.
He looked up at her — and for a moment, something human flickered in his weary eyes.
"Selene..." he murmured, voice thick with sorrow. "My little Little girl."
She collapsed at his feet, grasping his trembling hands. "Father, what has happened? Why does the palace feel so cold?"
He opened his mouth — but before he could speak, another voice cut through the hall.
"She returns at last," sneered a figure stepping from the shadows.
Selene stiffened.
It was Lady Mirella, her childhood rival — the Duke's daughter who had always envied Selene's lineage, her status, her power.
Mirella smiled coldly. "You should have stayed hidden, Selene."
Behind her, witches in silver and black robes gathered, their faces pale and hungry.
Selene backed away, heart hammering.
Her father rose slowly from his throne, his body stiff, as if controlled by invisible strings. Tears welled in his eyes — but he said nothing.
"You see," Mirella said, tilting her head mockingly, "your dear father made the wise choice. He chose survival."
Selene shook her head in disbelief. "You forced him."
Mirella chuckled. "Did he need much forcing? After all, what is one daughter compared to an empire?"
The witches closed in, magic crackling in the air.
Selene turned to run — but a net of shadow and light fell upon her, pinning her in place.
"Take her," Mirella commanded.
Selene struggled, panic rising. "Father! Please!"
Her father stepped forward, lips trembling. He reached out a shaking hand — then dropped it helplessly to his side.
He would not save her.
He could not.
Tears blurred her vision as the witches dragged her toward the great hall's doors.
And then —
a whisper.
A crack of energy.
The doors exploded inward, shards of marble flying.
A figure strode through the smoke and ruin — tall, cloaked in crimson and gold aura.
Lucien.
Selene gasped, heart lurching.
The witches shrieked, flinging spells at him — but their magic fizzled before it even touched his skin.
Lucien moved like a storm made flesh.
One by one, he struck down the witches — a touch, a glance, a flare of his aura — and they crumbled to ash.
Mirella screamed, casting a desperate spell — but Lucien crushed it with a flick of his hand.
He stood before Selene, his back to her, shielding her from the world.
Without a word, he raised his hand — and Mirella was dragged forward by invisible force, eyes wide with terror.
"You," Lucien said, voice like a death knell. "You sold her."
Mirella sobbed, trying to plead, but Lucien silenced her with a glance.
A surge of black and gold energy consumed her — and where she stood, there was nothing but dust.
The hall fell silent.
Selene collapsed to her knees, shaking.
Lucien knelt beside her, his hand brushing her hair back gently.
"I told myself I would leave," he murmured. "But fate... fate had other plans."
Selene looked up at him, tears spilling freely.
"Take me with you," she whispered. "I have no family left. Only you."
Lucien's eyes softened — just for a moment.
He held out his hand.
And Selene took it.
Together, they stepped into the night — leaving the broken kingdom behind.
—
Far above the shattered palace, hidden eyes watched.
"The King and the Goddess are together at last," a voice hissed in the dark.
"The world must burn before them."
Lightning split the sky.
The true war had begun.