The journey stretched endlessly, three long hours of cold wind, whispering trees, and the rhythmic creak of carriage wheels on ancient stone. When at last the fog parted, a distant light appeared through the mist — and Zephyria rose before them.
The sight was both haunting and beautiful.
The once-mighty kingdom now lay in partial ruin, its great walls blanketed in vines and ash, towers leaning with age, and fields once bright with flowers now scarred with silence. The grass that had survived swayed in the wind like fading memories of life.
Xavi stepped down from the carriage first, holding Josephine close against his chest.
She stirred in his arms, eyes wild with confusion, her small fists hitting his chest repeatedly.
"Hey, hey— easy," Xavi murmured, tightening his hold.
Josephine blinked, looking at him — her red-tinted eyes softening as she reached up and tangled her fingers in his hair. He smiled despite the bruises her hits had left, leaning closer until their lips met in a gentle, desperate kiss.
"I love you," Xavi whispered against her lips.
Her breath trembled softly as she rested her forehead on his.
Behind them, the others stepped down — the family of warriors and friends who had survived countless storms. Kara stood with Oliver, her hand clasped firmly in his as they walked through the shattered gates.
Sienna and Xantha drifted apart from the group, curiosity pulling them deeper into the ruins.
Before them, the Kingdom of Zephyria stretched vast — endless plains, hollow fountains, broken bridges, and patches of gardens where the grass still fought to grow.
"Home…" Kara breathed softly, her eyes misting as she stepped inside the castle's shadowed entrance.
The group followed her. Dust fell like snowflakes from the ceilings, each step echoing against stone walls that had not heard laughter in centuries.
Meanwhile, Sienna and Xantha ventured into what remained of the royal gardens. The air was cold, heavy with decay. Most of the flowers were dead — petals blackened, roots dry and brittle. But at the far end, beneath the soft shimmer of moonlight, something caught Sienna's eyes.
"Look," she whispered, stepping closer.
The moonlight poured through a cracked dome of glass, falling upon a patch of Lunara Bloom — hundreds of silver-petaled flowers glowing under the night sky.
"They're alive…" Sienna gasped, kneeling to touch them. She began gathering the blossoms quickly, her hands shaking with hope.
A deep hiss broke the silence.
The ground trembled.
From beneath the vines, a massive serpent emerged — scales black as night, eyes burning with lunar light.
"Sienna— move!" Xantha shouted, grabbing her wrist.
The snake lunged, its massive body slicing through the soil as it chased them. Xantha's boots pounded the ground as she pulled Sienna along, her speed unmatched, her breath harsh against the cold air. The serpent followed, its roar echoing through the ruined valley.
By the time they reached the castle gates, the snake was still behind them. The doors flew open as Xantha burst in with a blast of wind that shook the entire hall.
"Woah— what happened?" Agana cried out.
"Snake!" Xantha shouted, panting. "Lock the doors!"
But Kara had already sensed it. Her eyes widened as she turned toward the entrance.
"Vespera…" she whispered — then louder, commanding, "Vespera!!!"
The serpent froze instantly. Its massive head turned toward Kara, the golden slit of its eyes softening. Slowly, it slithered forward, lowering its head.
Kara stepped closer, unafraid, her voice low and soothing. "It's me."
The creature hissed — but not in anger. It leaned closer until Kara could rest her hand on its snout.
"You've grown," Kara whispered with a small smile. The serpent blinked, then looked past her — toward Josephine, who now stood beside Xavi, her chains glinting faintly in the moonlight.
The snake bowed.
Everyone fell silent.
Then, with a graceful movement, Vespera coiled herself near the gates, lying down protectively like a guardian returning to its duty.
Xantha collapsed onto the cold floor, gulping down water from her flask.
Sienna, still breathless, set the Lunara Blooms on the table.
Josephine's eyes caught the silver petals — and something primal flared within her. She tore herself from Xavi's arms, rushing forward.
"Jojo!" Anesthesia and Therodora called, but too late.
Josephine pushed Sienna aside and grabbed four flowers, shoving them into her mouth. She chewed quickly, the silver glow staining her lips.
"Stop— Josephine, don't—!" Xavi grabbed her, trying to pry her mouth open.
She bit his hand, hard. Then she kicked him, sending him stumbling back.
Adris froze in place, eyes wide as his mother swallowed.
For a heartbeat, everything was silent—
Then Josephine's body convulsed.
Her knees hit the stone floor. Her hands clawed at her stomach.
Xantha rushed forward, setting a bowl before her as green and black liquid burst from Josephine's mouth. The stench was sharp, poisonous.
"Hold her hair!" Tess shouted, rushing to tie Josephine's hair back.
For two long hours, Josephine vomited, her body trembling violently as the poison poured out of her. The final one was mixed with blood — dark, thick, and painful.
And then she collapsed.
The room fell into silence.
Anesthesia and Tess lifted her gently and carried her to a clean chamber, where they bathed and changed her.
Xavi stood near the window, his hands shaking as he wiped the blood from his own mouth. His vision blurred.
For a moment, he wasn't in Zephyria anymore. He saw his own castle — his mother asleep, and Queen Kendra laughing with her friends.
Among them was a girl — a young noblewoman — holding his wedding portrait with Josephine. Her voice was sharp and bitter.
"Ugh, I want to be his wife, not this bitch."
Xavi's jaw clenched. "Great. Now there's a bitch at the castle too," he muttered under his breath, pressing his palms to his temples.
Four hours later.
The sky outside was pale blue when Josephine stirred. Her body ached, her veins felt heavy with exhaustion. She blinked slowly, confusion clouding her mind.
"What… happened?" her voice echoed faintly in her thoughts — and Xavi heard it, clear as if she had spoken aloud.
She rose weakly and stepped into the hall. The others turned instantly, eyes wide in relief.
Her chains clinked softly as she raised them. "What is this… where are we?" She said with her hands
Kara stepped forward, her face calm. She placed a hand on Josephine's shoulder and gently removed the chains.
"How do you feel?" Kara asked softly.
Josephine flexed her hands, staring around the ancient halls. "What happened? Where are we?" She said in her mind Kara and Xavi heard her
"Zephyria," Kara said with a small smile. "We cured your poison, Josephine. You're free now."
Josephine's lips parted, her eyes bright with disbelief. She turned slowly, taking in the massive stone walls, the cracked windows, and the golden light spilling through the openings. Then her gaze fell on the balcony, where the faint mist of her kingdom shimmered.
Her home Her Kingdom.
Xavi approached quietly, offering her a cup of water. She took it, drank deeply, then looked at him — really looked at him — before throwing her arms around him.
He smiled and hugged her back, his voice trembling. "Now I have peace. You're better, my Queen."
She smiled faintly against his chest, and when she pulled back, Adris waddled toward her.
"What about me?" he asked, pouty and adorable.
Josephine laughed softly and scooped him up, covering his face in kisses until he burst out laughing, his tiny hands tugging at her hair.
Moments later, the throne room doors opened. Everyone followed Josephine inside.
At the far end stood the Throne of Bones — enormous, pale, and ancient, carved from the remains of Zephyrian dragons.
Josephine walked toward it slowly, her feet echoing on the marble floor. A soft mist wrapped around her ankles, swirling upward until it cloaked her completely.
When the mist faded, her clothes had transformed.
She wore a gold and black gown, woven with celestial threads. The fabric shimmered with every step, layered with intricate golden accents that curved like runes across her waist, legs, and arms. Her sleeves trailed like smoke, and a crown of crystal light formed on her head.
"Woah…" Piere breathed.
Josephine turned, eyes glowing faintly — pupils pale, surrounded by bright white. She ascended the steps and sat on the throne.
Adris giggled and ran to her, climbing onto her lap. She held him close, one arm protectively around his small body.
The ground trembled.
Outside, light erupted through the clouds as Kara and the others rushed to the balcony.
"She's bringing the kingdom back to life," Xavi whispered.
The Guardians of Zephyria appeared, emerging from the smoke — ancient beings with wings of gold and eyes of flame. They circled the sky.
Josephine rose, carrying Adris in her arms, and stepped outside. The wind howled, but she spread her arms, her chains gone, her voice powerful.
She snapped her fingers. The sky lit up.
And the Guardians spoke as one:
"To those who have no home, to those who are poor, to those who seek peace and unity —
The Kingdom of Hope has risen again.
The Kingdom of Zephyria is reborn.
The Queen awaits."
Then their chant began, echoing across every land:
By the breath of dawn and the shadow's end
We awaken the heart of Zephyria again.
Bound by flame, by wind, by stone,
The throne of light is ours alone.
Rise, O land of eternal grace,
Let gold and thunder crown thy face.
The fallen stars now light the skies—
Zephyria lives, the Phoenix shall rise.
We stand as shields, we stand as one,
Till every war and storm is done.
By oath and soul, by blood and flame,
Zephyria eternal, remember thy name.
The world trembled.
From every direction — forests, deserts, ruined towns — people began to appear. Families, nobles, children, elders, warriors poor families and people, Beggers, thieves, single mothers and fathers — all walked toward the shining kingdom.
Josephine closed her eyes, channeling every ounce of her strength. The land beneath them moved, the entire kingdom shifting, drawing itself closer to Xavi's realm while still remaining apart.
"Be careful, love!" Xavi shouted from below, his hands reaching up toward her.
But Josephine kept going. Her body shook with strain, sweat dripping down her face as she rebuilt the bridges, homes, and gardens. Mountains rose. Waterfalls burst forth. The kingdom expanded, spreading light and warmth across the skies.
Even the kings of neighboring realms appeared, watching in awe as the new Queen restored her empire.
The castle transformed — white and violet purple marble, glowing spires, rivers of crystal running through its heart. Vampires, elves, giants, werewolves, mermaids, witches, fairies, and every hybrid creature stood together for the first time.
Seliora stepped forward, bowing deeply.
"All hail the Queen of Zephyria! All hail Queen Josephine!"
The crowd roared:
"HAIL!!!"
Josephine's wings flickered faintly as she descended, exhausted. Her body swayed.
Xavi ran forward, catching her before she could fall.
"Josephine!" he called softly, holding her close.
Kara pointed toward the chambers. "Take her inside!"
Xavi carried her to their room, laying her gently on the bed. He tucked the covers around her, brushed the hair from her face, and kissed her forehead.
The Throne of Bones now towered higher than any throne in the world — greater even than Xavi's.
He was now known as the Second Feared King, and she, his wife, the First Dangerous Queen.
Xavi placed Adris beside her sleeping form, his small hand resting on hers. Outside, people sang and built, new maids and guards volunteering to serve their Queen.
The fires of Zephyria burned once more.
Finally —
after centuries of silence, loss, and darkness —
The Kingdom of Zephyria was restored.