The night was silent. The wind whispered across the gardens of Zephyria, carrying the soft scent of rain and moonlight.
Inside the great hall, Adris still lay unconscious. His tiny body looked fragile against the white sheets, his breathing shallow and uneven.
Xavi sat beside him, his arms wrapped protectively around his son. He hid his tears behind his hand, but they slipped through anyway, falling one by one onto the boy's hair.
He had never felt this kind of fear before—the kind that makes even kings tremble.
Josephine stood by the window, her gaze fixed upon the sky. The clouds drifted away, and there it was—the full moon, glowing in perfect silver. The light poured through the window, touching her face like a divine command.
She turned, her long white gown sweeping the marble floor, and walked toward her son.
Without a word, she lifted Adris gently from Xavi's arms. Her touch was calm, yet her heart thundered in her chest.
"Josephine…" Xavi whispered, his voice breaking.
She looked at him once, her glowing eyes soft but determined.
Trust me, she said in his mind before walking out into the courtyard.
The Guardians appeared around her—four of them, standing tall and radiant under the moon.
Their robes shimmered in the moonlight as they bowed their heads.
Josephine stepped into the air, her power lifting her higher and higher until she hovered closer to the glowing moon. The entire family gathered below, watching in awe.
Her hair turned pure white, glimmering like threads of light, and her eyes glowed the same color as the moon itself.
She cradled Adris's limp body close to her chest. Around her neck, the Moon Pendant shone faintly, pulsing with energy.
Slowly, she raised both hands.
The air thickened. The guardians spread their arms wide, their chants echoing faintly like wind.
Josephine whispered softly to Adris, tears trailing down her cheeks. Then she began the ritual.
Her power surrounded him like a glowing mist, and she used both her hands to draw the blood out of his little body.
Adris's lips parted, coughing out the dark crimson that flowed from within him.
Below, Xavi took a step forward, eyes wide with horror.
"Adris!!" he shouted, about to fly up, but Xoni grabbed his shoulder tightly.
"Don't! You'll break the bond!" Xoni said firmly.
Xavi froze, trembling with fury and pain. All he could do was watch—the love of his life holding their son in the sky, fighting death itself.
Nearby, Warrick and Seika stood together, watching the ritual. The glowing light reflected in their eyes.
Warrick's voice broke the silence. "I know you told me not to love you," he murmured softly, "but I still love you, baby."
Seika turned to him, her heart clenching at his whisper. She looked at Kendra, who stood silently watching Josephine. Then, unable to stop herself, Seika leaned in and kissed Warrick.
He smiled against her lips as their kiss deepened, his hands resting on her hips, while the moonlight surrounded them both.
High above, the last drop of Adris's old blood left his mouth. His skin turned pale.
Josephine took a deep breath, her hands shaking. She looked at her palm, then cut it open with her nails. Her blood, glowing silver-blue, dripped like light itself.
She placed her bleeding hand over Adris's forehead. The Moon Pendant shone fiercely, casting light across the land.
The Guardians began to chant:
"By moon's breath and boundless flame,
Two souls entwine, no more the same.
Blood to blood, fate to fate,
Let love defy the hand of hate.
Under silver's vow we rise as one,
Till stars forget the setting sun."
Their voices merged into one divine echo, shaking the sky.
A burst of energy exploded from Josephine's hands—light so bright the family below shielded their eyes.
Then—silence.
When the light faded, Adris's eyes burst open, glowing a fiery red. His small body floated before her. His hair, once golden, now glowed white with streaks of crimson, shimmering in the moonlight.
He howled—a sound that was both wolf and flame, power and rebirth.
He had become something new—a wolf of fire, a vampire like his father, a wizard of Josephine's bloodline.
His real mother's blood no longer flowed in his veins. He was reborn—Josephine and Xavi's true son.
Adris descended from the sky, landing softly on the ground. He yawned, his little eyes blinking.
"Papa…" he said in a sleepy voice, raising his small arms.
Xavi didn't hesitate. He rushed forward, scooping him up and holding him tightly, burying his face into his son's hair.
"Jojo?" Adris said softly, looking up at Josephine. She was still in the sky, her body trembling, blood dripping from her palm.
Xavi looked up just in time to see her falling.
"Josephine!"
He sped into the air, catching her in his arms before she hit the ground. "Gotcha," he whispered with a shaky smile, pressing his forehead against hers.
He carried her inside as Sienna took Adris to check him. The boy sat on the table, drinking his milk happily, as if nothing had happened.
Xavi bandaged Josephine's palm carefully, his touch tender.
She opened her eyes slowly, meeting his gaze. He was so close—the same man she'd once feared losing forever. She smiled faintly and touched his nose.
Xavi chuckled softly and kissed her cheek.
Sienna returned, holding an orb glowing with two colors.
"He's fine now—completely healed and full of blood," she said proudly.
Then she held up the orb. "I did a DND match between Josephine and Adris… it's a perfect match."
Everyone froze.
Sienna smiled warmly. "Josephine is now Adris's real mother—by blood."
Adris's eyes lit up with pure joy.
"YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!" he squealed, jumping and clapping his tiny hands.
Josephine laughed softly, her heart overflowing.
"Careful now!" Xavi said with a grin, chuckling as Adris nearly fell off the bed.
Adris flew into Josephine's arms, wrapping his little arms around her neck.
"Thank you for the early birthday present, Mama!" he said, smiling brightly.
Josephine kissed his cheeks again and again, holding him close as Xavi smiled lovingly at both of them.
Two days later, peace had returned.
Josephine sat behind Xavi, gently braiding his hair as he sat cross-legged on the floor.
He tilted his head back with a teasing smile. "All done, baby?"
She nodded with a small grin.
Elsewhere, Theron and Rhory had gotten married, moving into their new home. Josephine was happy for them—it was a wedding full of laughter and blessings.
Meanwhile, in the royal gardens, Callum, Tess, and King Noah sat among the roses. Noah handed Tess a small bouquet of white flowers as he signed documents. "All done," he sighed in relief, handing files to his assistant. Then he turned to his wife, smiling. "My queen deserves some peace." He leaned in and kissed her softly.
Just then, a messenger hawk swooped down, dropping a letter at their feet. Another landed before Callum. Both unfolded their letters—and froze.
The letters bore the same message, sealed with the mark of Ravenglade:
"Your sister was meant to be mine, and now I will take her again.
Make her mine forever.
I don't care if she is King Xavi's wife—she was mine and always will be.
See you all very, very soon.
—The King of Ravenglade."
Tess's eyes widened. "Oh no…"
Callum clenched his jaw. "Oh, shit…"
Far away in another kingdom, Piere and Raden received the same letter.
Piere, now crowned Queen, slammed his hands on the table.
"If that bastard tries to take my baby away," he growled, "I'll shove hot iron into his f*ing ass!"
Raden chuckled, admiring his furious husband. "You're so cute when you're mad," he said, pulling him into a calming kiss. Piere melted against his chest with a soft hum.
Back in Noctyra, Xavi and Adris trained together.
Adris's birthday was tomorrow, and Josephine had planned everything perfectly—a grand surprise celebration for her son.
The little boy floated above the ground, holding a wooden training staff. "Come on, Papa!" he shouted, launching toward Xavi.
Xavi blocked every strike with ease, smirking.
Adris huffed, growing impatient. He lifted his tiny hand, and the objects around them began to rise into the air.
Josephine watched from the balcony, smiling.
Adris flung the objects toward Xavi. Xavi dodged gracefully, laughing. Then suddenly, Adris appeared right in front of him, their noses almost touching.
"Peekaboo!" Adris said—and bonked Xavi's nose with his forehead.
"Ow—what the—!?" Xavi rubbed his nose, laughing. "Where did you learn that from, huh?"
Adris giggled mischievously.
"Mama! Did you see that!?" he shouted, flying toward Josephine.
She opened her arms wide, nodding proudly.
He landed in her arms, and she showered his little face with kisses while Xavi chuckled softly in the background.
Just then, a messenger hawk dropped another letter at Xavi's feet. He picked it up and opened it—this one addressed directly to Josephine.
"My dearest Josephine,
Oh, how much I missed you.
You ran away from me. We could have wed, my love.
But you chose King Xavi over me.
I will take you soon, my princess.
I will make you forget him completely,
And you will be mine forever.
—Your soon-to-be husband,
The King of Ravenglade."
Xavi's eyes darkened. Without hesitation, he burned the letter in his hand, the ashes scattering across the floor.
"Caius!" he shouted.
His guard appeared instantly.
"Arrange a meeting with King Noah and the royal families—and send for the King of Ravenglade," Xavi ordered coldly.
Then he returned to his throne, his expression calm but deadly.
Across the room, Adris giggled as he chased Josephine's floating ribbons. The sound of his laughter filled the palace with light again.
By midnight, after a long day, Xavi and Josephine entered their room.
Adris was still awake—sitting up in bed, munching on cookies.
Xavi laughed quietly. "Late night snack, huh?"
Adris nodded, his cheeks full.
Josephine lifted a candle, smiling softly as the flame danced between them.
Happy Birthday, my baby, she said in her mind.
Xavi leaned in, brushing Adris's hair back. "Happy birthday, my big boy," he whispered, kissing his forehead.
Under the silver moon, the family celebrated—music, laughter, and dance filled the night.
And as Xavi looked around at his great, glowing family, he smiled, finally at peace.