POV: ROTATING (ALL FOUR)
Timeline: The next three days
DAY ONE: FORTIFICATION
RAVION'S POV (Brief)
I'm constructing shadow wards around the perimeter when Nyx approaches.
"Your technique is inefficient," he observes.
I grit my teeth. "It's working."
"It could work better." He waves his hand. Water flows through my shadows, strengthening them. "See? Combined magic."
The ward pulses with new power. Stronger. More stable.
I hate that he's right.
"...Thank you," I force out.
"You're welcome." He moves to the next ward. "Keep up, Dark King. We have twelve more to place."
Despite everything, I smile.
Working with him is... not terrible.
KAELIS' POV (Brief)
"Again!" Kieran shouts.
I focus on the water sphere floating between us. Try to send it to him without it exploding.
It wobbles. Shakes. Explodes.
We're both soaked.
"That was better!" Kieran says, laughing. "Only a small explosion this time!"
"That's not reassuring!"
"It's progress!"
We've been training together all day. Him teaching me control. Me teaching him... honestly, I'm not sure what I'm teaching him except how not to do magic.
But we're learning.
"One more time," Kieran says, creating a new water sphere. "You can do this."
I believe him.
DAY TWO: STRATEGY
KIERAN'S POV (Brief)
The four of us stand around a map of the neutral ground.
"Isolde will come from the north," Ravion says, pointing. "That's where her fortress is."
"Asteria will come from the east," Nyx adds. "Storm front. She'll try to destabilize the wards first."
"Daemon will bring soldiers," I say.
"Enhanced ones. We need to account for that."
"I'll handle the soldiers," Ravion says.
"Shadows can neutralize their enhancements."
"I'll handle Asteria," Nyx adds. "Keep her busy. Away from you two."
"Which leaves Isolde for us," Kaelis says, looking at me.
"Can you two handle your mother?" Ravion asks carefully.
Kaelis and I exchange looks.
"We'll have to," I say.
"She's powerful," Nyx warns. "Ruthless. She won't hesitate to hurt you."
"Then we won't hesitate either," Kaelis says firmly.
DAY THREE: THE CALM
NOCTERRA - MORNING
KIERAN'S POV
"You're quiet," Ravion observes.
We're in our chambers—technically we should be at the neutral ground already, but Ravion insisted we eat breakfast first.
"I'm scared," I admit.
"Good. Fear keeps you sharp."
"That's not comforting."
"It's true." He sits beside me. "Kieran, look at me."
I do.
"Tonight, when Isolde comes—when everything goes to hell—I need you to promise me something."
"What?"
"Don't try to be a hero. Don't put yourself in danger to protect me or Kaelis or anyone." His hands cup my face. "Your job is to survive. That's it. Survive and come back to me."
"What if—"
"No what-ifs." His voice is fierce. "Promise me."
"I promise," I whisper.
He kisses me.
"I love you," he says against my lips.
"I love you too."
"We're going to survive this."
TIDELANDS - AFTERNOON
KAELIS' POV
"You're pacing," Nyx observes.
"I'm nervous."
"I can tell. You've worn a path in the floor."
I stop. Look at him. "What if something goes wrong?"
"Then we adapt."
"What if she wins?"
"She won't."
"How do you know?"
He crosses to me. Pulls me close.
"Because I've been alive for millennia. I've fought gods and monsters and forces of nature." His hand tilts my chin up. "And I've never had something worth protecting like I do now. Like I have you." His eyes hold mine. "She's not taking you, Kaelis. Not while I'm breathing."
"What if she's stronger?"
"Then I'll become stronger." Simple. Certain. "Whatever it takes."
I kiss him. Pour all my fear and hope and love into it.
"We're going to survive this," I whisper.
NEUTRAL GROUND - EVENING
DUAL POV - BOTH PRINCES
Kieran and I stand at the center of the fortified clearing.
Around us, wards glow softly. Guards patrol the perimeter. Traps are set. Weapons ready.
Ravion and Nyx stand on opposite sides, checking final preparations.
The eclipse will start in three hours.
"You ready?" Kieran asks me.
"No," I admit. "You?"
"Terrified."
"Good. Me too."
We're silent for a moment.
Then Kieran says: "Whatever happens tonight—"
"We face it together," I finish.
"Yeah."
"We're brothers now. Twins. Family."
Ravion and Nyx return to us.
"It's time," Ravion says.
"Positions everyone," Nyx adds.
The four of us move to the center of the clearing. Form a square. Princes in front. Gods behind us.
Ready.
The sky begins to darken.
The moon starts to creep across the sun.
The eclipse is beginning.
And somewhere in the distance, I feel it:
Isolde.
Coming for us.
"Here we go," Kieran whispers.
I take his hand. "Here we go."
The battle for our freedom begins