The weight of defeat pressed heavily on his shoulders, yet with every beat of his heart, his love for her burned brighter—his resolve hardening like steel. No matter the odds, he would fight, not just for himself, but for the woman he vowed to protect, and for those he failed to protect.
In that moment, knowing he would likely die in the next few moments, Aurelius accepted his fate. His love for them all, his desire to protect them, even in the face of his own death, was the one thing he could still offer. He closed his eyes, gathering every ounce of strength he had left, preparing for what was about to come.
The generals, now brimming with the stolen power of Solaria, stood tall, their faces twisted in satisfaction. For centuries, they had suppressed their true ambitions, but with Ventris offering them the power to rule, they no longer hesitated. Their desires aligned perfectly with hers — to dominate, to reshape the world as they saw fit.
They turned to the defeated king, their malicious laughter echoing through the air. The once-loyal soldiers, now corrupted by power, reveled in their new strength, the betrayal clear in their eyes. The air grew tense with their collective malice. This was no longer a battle of power and brute strength.
The silence was broken by the sharp snap of fingers. Ventris, seated atop a golden throne, signaled the beginning of the execution. He took a breath from his place on his knees still with eyes closed, steeling himself for the pain to come. He reminded himself that for the sake of his family, he shouldn't let his instincts take hold to make him dodge their attacks.
His focus was broken by a flash of white light as his ears began to ring deafeningly. His position had shifted and he found himself falling sideways- only to be caught by an unseen force; the telekinetic power of one of the angel generals. The force navigated him by the head, pulling him back up to his kneeling position and tethering him there. As the ringing of his ears finally began to settle, he found himself encircled around them and-
He grunted as a fist wrapped in energy struck his jaw, filling his mouth with the metallic taste of blood, all while Ventris' eyes gleamed with cold satisfaction as she watched the scene. Her joy was amplified by her sister's pained cries as she was forced to watch the scene, watch her husband be reduced to no more than a punching bag. The air rang with the sickening crunch of punches connecting, each blow strong enough to send him flying about the wasteland, but he remained pinned by telekinetic energy in place.
Each movement was a blur of motion as the generals, empowered by their newfound strength, overwhelmed him. The barren landscape echoed with the sound of his pained grunts and struggle, the sickening crunching of his bones breaking, the splash of his blood hitting the rocks and staining the wasteland in red and the shattering of the ground beneath him as the impact from their charged blow had nowhere to go but through him, shattering bone and rupturing organs then into the ground below. He could just barely hear the pleas of his wife and family begging for them to stop above it all. He hadn't wanted them to see this…
The force of each strike was unlike anything he had ever experienced. The strength of his wife—who had always stood by him, protecting him and their world—was now being turned against him, fueling his enemies' power. It was a crushing realization that left him feeling weaker with every blow and Solaris feeling even worse knowing that her own power was being used to kill her beloved. It felt as if it were no different from her own hands bringing him closer to the edge of his life.
After what seemed like forever to everyone present, twenty minutes had finally passed and after one last brutal blow, Ventris signaled the generals to stop their assault.
Aurelius the once proud king of Oreath who stood at the apex of human existence and who had been the symbol of the unity of god and man now collapsed forward into a pool of his own blood, the landscape around him now painted red. He barely managed to raise his head, just shove could look in the direction of his wife, then his family, their eyes full of tears as they watched his broken and bloody form. He took a shaky breath that ached his battered, broken body to the core before he struggled to stand. Solaria looked away in shame as she was powerless to help him, his parents shielding the eyes of the children.
Ventris smiled, her revenge was now almost complete.
She began clapping her hands, the sound reverberating through the vast emptiness of the space. "Good boy, Aure." She said, her voice laced with mock praise. "Now, as promised, I'll let your family go." She smiled.
With a casual wave of her hand, the energy cage dissipated, and his family was freed. But they remained still, not moving from where they were. She watched them for a moment, her smile fading as she reconsidered.
"Hmm... On second thought…" She added with a sinister grin and Aurelius felt a sudden stab of dread. "No, I don't think I'll keep that promise after all."
With a wave of her hand she brought the gigantic spear of light down on them, a blinding explosion of light erupted, consuming the space in an instant. The king's eyes were forced shut by the sheer intensity as his anguished 'No!' was lost the commotion, but as the light faded, he slowly opened them, struggling to focus. When his vision cleared, all that remained was a massive crater, the ground scorched and broken. Dust swirled through the air, settling slowly, leaving nothing in its wake—no sign of his family, no trace of the life that had been there moments before. Just the remnants of devastation.
Looking at the crater, the young king's heart sank, and a ragged, heartbroken cry tore from his throat—raw and desperate—as he called out for his mother, father and siblings like a helpless child. He rushed into the crater, his hands trembling as he hugged the heaps of rocks, crying for his brothers and sister. His mind fractured with grief, unable to fully comprehend what had just transpired to Ventris' delight.
On the side, Solaria fought against her restraints as she too cried for his family whom she had grown close enough to call her own, each movement a desperate attempt to reach him, to hold him as he broke before her eyes. But her strength was fading still, and despite her efforts, she could not free herself. All the king could do was stand in the silence of the sheer destruction.
Ventris laughed cruelly, the sound echoing through the emptiness. Her gaze was filled with mirth, watching him from a distance as he struggled with his grief. Every part of her being seemed to relish in his pain, her smile widening as she took in the sight of the broken king. The angel generals who were all laughing originally, went silent as they watched the scene with somber expressions. For all their hatred for the king, not even they would go this far, be this cruel…
As grief washed over him, the young king offered up a silent prayer—one born of love and great sorrow. He prayed for his family to find peace, and for the hope that, someway, somehow, he would see them again. The anger that flared within him grew into an all-consuming rage, but despite the fury burning inside, he fought to calm his mind. Desperation laced his every thought as he tried desperately to hold onto whatever fragment of himself remained, struggling to stay grounded amidst the chaos. After all, he still had his wife to help.
He knew that, in his current state, he stood no chance against his enemies—especially now that they wielded the stolen power of Solaria. They were leagues beyond him, and every instinct told him to retreat. Yet, he steeled himself, drawing from the depths of his pain and rage. With a deafening roar, he unleashed all the power he could muster, and in a flash, he was at his wife's side.
His claws moved swiftly, carving a runic mark above the wound in her side, as he whispered a chant under his breath. That rune would siphon his lifeforce to strengthen her a bit and to cease her bleeding, at least, until his life force runs out. With every ounce of strength he could summon, he ripped the chains that pinned her to the boulder from their grasp, tearing through them with brutal force.
Ventris sneered from her throne, her voice dripping with mockery. "Look at the little pup go." She taunted. "He really thinks he can make a difference, huh? The chains were never the problem. Even with them shattered, it's the shackles that matter. "Unless you break the shackles," Ventris continued, her tone dripping with disdain. "You can't hope to free her. Her power will still be siphoned. These shackles are tied to this dimension, and she cannot leave unless every single one of them is removed."
"Even worse." Ventris continued with a cruel smile. "Each shackle requires a different condition to open. They're not just tied to this dimension, they're cursed, each one with its own twisted rule. It's not just about strength or willpower, little king. You'll never break them all." She mocked.
The king remained silent, but inside, a quiet resolve began to build. He knew the odds were against him, but he wasn't about to give up. "Hey, beautiful." He said softly, turning to his wife. "I'm not ready to give up just yet. I wouldn't be able to face my family again if I gave up here. So, let's give 'em a little hell—" He mustered a small smile.
Solaria's eyes sparkled with quiet intensity, and before he could finish, she interrupted him, "But my power—"
"They only took away your magic." He said with a reassuring grin. "You're still as strong as ever, my love. And I'll help you— So… Help me?"
She gazed into his eyes, her expression full of unwavering drive and determination. A smile slowly spread across her face, and with a nod, she replied, "Yeah, let's go."
Together, they stood, ready to face their enemies.
Ventris, watching the exchange from her golden throne, couldn't help but smile, her expression twisted in amusement. "Cute." She sneered. With a snap of her fingers, she signaled her new generals to attack.
"You go high, and I'll go low." He said, determination in his voice. "Try to take your power back, and when you do, I'll finish them." He flexed his claws, his bones cracked as he entered a fighting stance, ready for his final stand, his wife doing the same, her eyes locking with his in silent understanding.
With a sudden burst of speed, they tore into the fray, their feet pounding the earth with a force fueled by power and rage. The angels charged, unleashing beams of energy so strong they vaporized the rocks behind them.
In perfect sync, Aurelius and Solaria danced around the battlefield, dodging their attacks with precision. With a swift motion, Aurelius grabbed his wife's chain and, with tremendous force, hurled her toward the angel in front of them, sending her crashing through the air like a comet aimed at her target.
The angel fired a beam of energy directly at her, but Solaria didn't even flinch—if anything, it only seemed to fuel her. A mischievous smile curled on her lips as she seized the angel by the face, pulling him down to the ground with unrelenting force. "Just whose power do you think you're attacking with?" She taunted. "Mine! As if I wouldn't know how to withstand my own attacks!"
With a fierce grin, they crashed into the earth, the shockwave reverberating across the battlefield. From the crater where they had landed, a massive explosion of dark energy erupted. It was Solaria—she had regained a surge of her power. With a fierce battle cry, she was already on the move, rushing toward the other angel who had been attacking her husband. Aurelius, ever vigilant, carefully dodged the oncoming strikes, knowing that even the slightest graze could be fatal. Her energy was that potent, and he couldn't afford to take any chances, as weakened and beaten as he still was.
Just as Aurelius was dodging the angel's beams, a powerful gust of wind slammed into his stomach. It was Zervas. He stared into the king's eyes, his gaze filled with nothing but resolve and pain. Fighting his former student here, now an enemy, was tearing Aurelius apart inside. But as they clashed, something felt different. Zervas was stronger—had he taken some of his wife's power as well? The intensity of his strikes suggested something had changed, something far darker than before.
Aurelius staggered back from the impact, his chest heaving as he glared at Zervas. His voice cracked with anger, desperation, and disbelief as he shouted, "Zervas! Why? After everything we've been through—after everything I've taught you—why would you betray me like this?!"
Zervas's eyes remained cold, his grip on his weapon firm as he took a step closer. "You don't understand, my king." He said, his voice strained. "I had no choice. I couldn't stay in the shadows of your empire forever. You led with honor, but your vision was narrow. You would have kept us all in chains, not just in body, but in mind!" He yelled across at him.
Aurelius's hands balled into fists, his voice rising, "Chains?! You call protecting these people chains? You think turning on me, on all we've built, is the answer? You're throwing away everything we stood for. And for what? Power? Vengeance? You betrayed your own family, Zervas!"
Zervas's expression hardened, his grip tightening on the sword as he took another step forward. "I didn't betray anyone, Aurelius. I evolved. I'm not the same person who followed you. I've seen the truth—Ventris saw the truth. This world was always meant to be ruled, and I... I want to be part of that vision. Not a servant."
Aurelius's eyes burned with frustration, and for a moment, he paused—grief and rage fighting for dominance within him. "And what about us, Zervas? What about all the people we lost? All the lives we fought to protect? You really think Ventris's way is the answer? You're better than this. I won't let you turn into her puppet."
Zervas's lips curled into a sad, bitter smile. "It's too late for that, Aurelius. I've already made my choice. You made yours long ago."
As the clash of claws against blade reverberated through the air, Aurelius's heart pounded in his chest. His breath came in ragged gasps, not just from the physical exertion, but from the weight of the moment. Standing before him—the young man he had raised as his own, the one who had once called him brother.
Tears welled up in Aurelius's eyes, his vision blurry as the memories flooded in. The countless training sessions, the shared victories, and losses, the quiet moments where they had talked about dreams, the future—those were the moments that truly hurt. To see his former friend standing here as an enemy, with a sword in hand, and no remorse in his heart, it shattered him.
"I never wanted this..." Aurelius muttered through clenched teeth, his voice cracking.
Zervas met his gaze, his eyes cold and unfeeling. "Aurelius. You were too busy protecting a world that was never meant to be saved. I'm doing what needs to be done."
The king's claws clenched tighter, a growl of frustration escaping his lips. "No… this isn't you. You're still my friend. I won't believe this is the only way." His eyes were filled with pain, but his resolve grew clearer with every passing second. This was the moment—he would have to make the hardest decision of his life.
"I will save you, Zervas. I will make you see the truth, even if it costs me everything." But even as the words left his mouth, Aurelius knew what would come next. He could feel it in his bones—a friend would fall today.
Zervas raised his blade, its edge shimmering with malicious intent. "There's no saving me now, Aurelius. You should have stayed out of my way."
And as the two clashed once more, the king's heart tore further, knowing that the person he'd considered his brother had already chosen his path. He steeled himself, ready to do what was necessary, even if it meant the end of their shared history. He would not hold back. For the future. For the world.
But this was his family, his brother, and nothing about this would ever feel right.
The tension in the air was suffocating as the two stood facing each other, the battlefield around them filled with chaos, but for this moment, it was just them. Aurelius's golden eyes burned with a fierce resolve, while Zervas's gaze was colder than any winter's night.
Without warning, Aurelius lunged forward with the speed of a predator, claws extended like daggers, aimed straight for Zervas's throat. The younger man was fast, his blade flashing as he sidestepped and parried the strike with a metallic clang, sparks flying off his weapon. The sheer force of the impact made the ground beneath them tremble.
Zervas grinned, eyes dark with a mixture of anger and contempt. "You've always been too slow, old friend."
He swung his blade with precision, aiming for Aurelius's side. The king reacted just in time, twisting his body and deflecting the strike with one clawed hand. He countered, slashing in a horizontal arc with ferocity, the air whistling as his claws cut through the space between them. But Zervas was ready, ducking low and rolling to the side, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike.
"You're not the same man I once knew, Zervas," Aurelius growled, his voice laced with pain. "This isn't you!"
Zervas's smile was sharp, his eyes devoid of any warmth. "This is the real me. I've grown past your teachings, Aurelius. Just die already." With a swift motion, Zervas surged forward, his blade a blur as he slashed downward, aiming for the king's chest. The strike was clean, fast—too fast for most to react.
But not Aurelius.
With a roar of defiance, the king crossed his claws in front of him, catching the blade mid-swing, the clash of steel and claws sending a shockwave through the ground. Zervas gritted his teeth, pushing with all his might, trying to force his sword through the king's defense.
Aurelius snarled, his claws digging into the blade's edge, forcing it back with a surge of power. He twisted his body, his legs springing into action as he kicked Zervas hard in the chest, sending him sprawling back.
Zervas quickly rolled to his feet, his breath coming in short gasps. His eyes burned with fury, and he charged again, his blade a streak of silver as it cut through the air. Aurelius met him head-on, his claws meeting the sword with a crack that echoed across the wasteland.
Each strike from Zervas was precise, his form almost inhuman in its speed and power, but each time Aurelius was there, blocking, countering, his movements a blur of golden fury. The sound of steel meeting claws, the clash of power, was deafening as they danced their deadly waltz.
Aurelius feinted left, then lunged right, his claws extending toward Zervas's throat. Zervas parried just in time, the blade locking with the king's claws in a moment of perfect tension. With a growl, Aurelius twisted his claws, breaking the deadlock and spinning away, narrowly avoiding another slash aimed for his heart.
"Why do you fight me, Zervas?!" Aurelius shouted, his voice raw with emotion, his claws dripping with energy from their clash. "You were like a brother to me!"
Zervas's expression hardened, the bitterness in his gaze sharpening. "You never understood. You were too weak to see the truth. But now I have power—the power to create a world of my making!"
Aurelius narrowed his eyes, his fists tightening as he prepared for the next onslaught. "Then you truly are lost."
With a mighty roar, the king threw himself at Zervas, claws slashing in a flurry of rapid strikes. Zervas parried and blocked with expert precision, but the weight behind each of Aurelius's attacks was relentless. The force of each strike reverberated through Zervas's bones, pushing him back with every blow.
They locked again, Aurelius's claws against Zervas's sword, the two struggling, neither willing to give an inch. Zervas's breath was ragged, his muscles straining against the king's power. But then, with a brutal shove, Zervas pushed Aurelius back, his sword flashing in the starlight as he aimed for the king's side again.
Time seemed to slow as Aurelius leapt into the air, his foot hitting the earth with a powerful thud missing his mark.... Zervas's head. They collided, a burst of energy erupting from the impact, throwing both warriors backward. Aurelius landed heavily on the ground, his body aching, but his will unbroken.
Zervas stood across from him, his sword raised, the blood of battle glistening on its blade. "It's over, Aurelius. This world belongs to Ventris now."
Aurelius struggled to his feet, his body battered, but his resolve still burning. "Not while I still stand."
The final strike was coming. The two warriors stood, ready to finish what had begun.
The two warriors charged at each other, their speeds so fast that the air seemed to ripple in their wake. Claws and blades clashed in a blinding explosion of sparks, their power shaking the ground beneath them. Aurelius's claws collided with Zervas's sword, the impact reverberating through his entire body.
For a moment, they were locked in place, each pushing against the other, their eyes locked with an intensity that said everything their words could not. The weight of their years of friendship, of betrayal, hung between them.
Aurelius could feel the strain, but he hesitated. His heart raced, and in that fleeting instant of doubt, his claws faltered—just for a second. Zervas, sensing his hesitation, seized the opportunity with ruthless precision. With a twist of his blade, he redirected Aurelius's claws and knocked him off balance.
In that moment of vulnerability, Zervas struck—his blade landing with a wet, sickening sound, the energy around his blade carving space around it, leaving Aurelius hunched over.
Aurelius staggered back, his vision swirling with confusion and disbelief. He looked up at Zervas, the man he once called a brother, eyes filled with sorrow. His hesitation had cost him dearly.
Zervas stood there, his sword still steady in his hand. Aurelius's body trembled, the weight of defeat pressing on him. He fell to his knees, his breath shallow, as the world around him began to blur and as he fell he looked over at his wife one last time before his eyes closed
Solaria's heart clenched as she saw Aurelius on the ground, his form battered and weakened. The sight of him, fallen and vulnerable, ignited a fire within her. She had already defeated three of the angels, regaining much of her strength, but this moment, this pain, made her forget all of that.
Her eyes flashed with determination as she turned toward the angels still standing. "No." She whispered to herself, her voice full of resolve. "Not like this."
With a burst of energy, she propelled herself toward him, her heart racing as she cradled Aurelius's fragile form in her arms. His body was bruised, bloodied, and battered, with a gaping hole now in his stomach but when he smiled up at her—weak but still alive—it made all the pain she had endured worth it. She could feel his chest rise and fall slowly, but his eyes, though clouded with exhaustion, held a sense of warmth and love that grounded her.
"I'm sorry… I couldn't… I couldn't bring myself to kill him..." He whispered, his voice barely audible, filled with regret.
Her fingers gently brushed the hair from his face, her own tears threatening to fall as she fought to stay strong. "You fought with everything you had, my love. You always do." She said softly, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.
The world around them seemed to fade as she held him close, protecting him from whatever would come next. Despite the battle raging on, her focus was entirely on him, on keeping him safe, on making sure he would live.
"Don't leave me." She whispered, her voice trembling and pleading.
Solaria's heart swelled with emotion as his words reached her. She pressed her forehead against his, their breaths mingling in the chaos of the battlefield. Despite the devastation around them, in this moment, there was only the two of them.
"… Always and forever." He whispered back, his voice faint but still carried an unwavering conviction.
His hand weakly squeezed hers, the last of his strength poured into that touch. He didn't need to say anything more—his love for her was clear. but before he could say another word, a blade fell from the sky, piercing his chest with with a cruel crunch, killing him instantly, the blade was thrown by none other than Ventris, the same cursed blade that was used to mortally wound Solaria. She realised then: she hadn't felt any pain since he had put that rune on her. It had even started to heal a bit… The chant he had whispered… She realised now that it was a spell to heal her using his own blood. Tears came to her eyes as she cried for her lover, the man who had loved and protected her wholeheartedly, until his last breath.
Solaria's tears fell freely, mingling with the dust and blood that stained her skin. She cradled Aurelius's lifeless body in her arms, her heart shattering into a thousand pieces. The weight of everything was unbearable—her love, her loss, and the cruel twist of fate that had taken him from her before she could tell him the most important thing in the world.
Through her grief, a quiet voice echoed in her mind, his voice, soft and reassuring. "You are strong, Solaria… Our love lives on."
But the pain of losing him, of not being able to share the joy of what was to come, felt like an ache that would never leave her. She clutched him tighter, desperate to hold on to whatever was left of their life together.
"I'm sorry…" She whispered between sobs. "I never got to tell you... We were going to have a family... We were going to have a baby..." Her voice broke as she pressed her lips to his forehead, hoping that somehow, in some distant place, he could hear her.
The world around her seemed to fade away, her grief the only thing that mattered in that moment. And yet, amidst the pain, a flicker of something deeper stirred within her—the life they had created, the child that now grew inside her. Aurelius may be gone, but a part of him would live on in their child, and that would be the one thing that could keep her going, the one thing that could give her hope.
With a steadying breath, she whispered, "I will make sure they know your name. I will make sure they know your love." And in that moment, she made a vow to both him and their child—she would not let the sacrifice be in vain.
With eyes full of tears, she looked up at Ventris. "Are you happy now, sister?!" Solaria's voice cracked with emotion as she glared up at her.
Ventris looked down at her, a cruel smile curling on her lips. "Not quite." She hummed.
In an instant, Ventris appeared in front of her sister. With a swift motion, she sent Solaria flying into a wall with the back of her hand. Solaria's body slammed into the hard surface, pain radiating through her limbs, but she forced herself to stay conscious, fury burning in her chest.
"There's one more thing I need to be finally happy," Ventris said, her voice laced with malice. "How about I take that baby?"
Solaria's breath hitched as Ventris's words cut through her like a knife. Her eyes widened in shock, her body trembling as she struggled against the grip of the angels holding her. "No..." She whispered, her voice barely audible. The thought of losing her child, their child, was unimaginable.
Ventris's smile twisted into something dark and cruel. "Oh yes, sister. A child born of such a powerful bloodline, imagine what I could do with that." She took a step closer, the air around them growing colder, more suffocating with each passing second.
Solaria's heart pounded in her chest, but there was no way she was going to let her sister win. The baby inside her was the last part of Aurelius left in this world, and she would fight to her dying breath to protect her daughter but it was not enough. Before she could even comprehend it, a swift cut split her stomach open and a small blue pearl, roughly the size of a fist was taken from her stomach. Her screams of pain erupted throughout the realm, seeing that her child was now in the clutches of her sister she held her stomach and cried, her golden blood all around her.
"Enjoy your new home sister. Don't worry I'll still visit on weekends!" And with that Ventris and her group left.
Bleeding and crying all hope had been drained from her, she tried to escape the realm but to her sister's own words, she could not leave no matter what she tried. with despair settling in her heart she took up her husband's body and held a funeral for him, sending up prayers hoping that his soul finds peace.
___________
As Johan listened to her story, he made sure to take in every detail from beginning to end, his mind raced as many questions now stormed in but as he looked at her, he made a choice. His life before was gone and in this moment, he was unsure of what would come next for him. But he knew one thing: he would stay. The imprisoned queen was still looking at the floor with tears dripping from her eyes after having to recall those events that opened up old wounds. With a resounding sigh she got up and started heading for the window. With a wave of her hand, a portal was opened, a spiral of crackling, dark energy.
"With my current power this is all I can muster for now. This portal should take you back towards the Assiah where you can complete your reincarnation. Thank you for listening… For staying as long as you have but you must leave, for your own good." She told him tearfully, gesturing towards the portal. She wanted to believe that he was her beloved, but as she recalled the past she thought that even if he was, it would be safer for him if he was not with her. The best course of action would be to send him along so he can reincarnate, but to her surprise he held her hand and put it down "Nah, I think I'll stay." He smiled as he looked into her tearful, starry eyes.
When she heard that she broke down to the floor, holding on to his legs tightly and pleading. "Please no! If they, if she catches you here, they'll kill you! You don't need to put your life in danger for me, I beg of you Johan!" She didn't think she could handle another loss. Not again… He looked down at her pleading form, his eyes filled with determination. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself in any life knowing that I left you here to suffer on your own. My last life wasn't anything special. Heck, it was one disappointment after another and just when I started getting somewhere it ended. Besides…" He smiled at her widely. "Aren't you tired of being alone?" She looked up at him dumbfounded, and for a moment in his smile, saw Aurelius. As a final show of determination Johan went over to a broken mirror in the corner of the room, picking up a shard of glass. With a brave face, he cut his hand with a shard of glass, making her gasp.
"What are you doing?!" She asked in panic, scrambling to her feet as he walked back over to her. "Just watch." He smiled and with the blood dripping from his palm he slowly unbuttoned his shirt then wrote a cool runic mark he recalled seeing from his time alive on his chest, over his heart. It meant something along the lines of love and protection, but he drew it not just in promise… But to also look cool. Unbeknownst to him it was the same runic mark that her husband drew on her to protect her all those years ago. "On my honor, I Johan Velmir promise to stay with you and help you escape this place, no matter how long, no matter how hard, I'll be by your side until the end Solaria." Her eyes widened in surprise at his declaration before her face broke into a tearful smile, once again she saw her husband in the young man.
She let out a soft chuckle as she wiped her tears, marveling at the display and wondering if it was a twist of fate, a sign that things were changing for the better finally. "You didnt have to cut yourself, idiot." She said as she kissed his hand to heal it, happiness washing over her as she had now regained her lost hope. She swore to herself that no matter what she would protect him this time as he did her. With a reluctant sigh she hugged the young man and whispered a thank you. They stood there for a few seconds in the embrace as the silence was broken by a sharp metallic clink. The shackle around her neck had just broken.