The battlefield was unrecognizable now. What was once a lush and vibrant forest had been reduced to a wasteland.
The earth beneath their feet was charred black, scorched by the aftermath of the powerful magic and Erend's dragon fire that had ravaged it. Scattered remnants of trees lay shattered and smoking. Their trunks broken like brittle twigs. Ash floated in the air, carried on the remnants of the wind.
Adrius and Lysander stood a few paces apart, both breathing heavily. Their bodies drained from the intense battle. The forest, or what remained of it, was silent now, save for the occasional crackle of lingering flames and the soft rustle of settling debris.
For a moment, there was nothing but the stillness. The heavy sense of finality hanging over them like a cloud.
Though battered and exhausted Adrius still managed a weary smile as he glanced at Lysander. His eyes were bloodshot and his body drenched in sweat, but there was relief in his expression. The greatest threat they had ever faced had been vanquished. They had won.
"We did it," Adrius muttered softly, his voice hoarse. He turned to Lysander, who looked just as beaten but a faint grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Lysander nodded, his body trembling with the aftereffects of the battle, but there was a shared satisfaction in his eyes.
"Yeah... we actually did," Lysander said.
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The two shared a brief knowing look. But as their smiles grew, another figure stood unmoved amidst the wreckage. The one who had delivered the final, crushing blow.
Erend remained standing over Theron's headless and smoldering body. The blackened ground at his feet still sizzling from the Dragon fire that had reduced his enemy to ash. His broad shoulders rose and fell slowly, his breathing steady but deeper than before. His entire body was still tense as if the battle had not yet ended for him.
The glowing orange light in his reptilian eyes had dimmed, came back to his human eyes again. His Dragon scales were completely gone now, leaving only his white Elven armor clinging to his battle-worn frame. He looked like a human again.
But there was no sense of victory on his face.
His eyes remained locked on what was left of Theron's body, yet they were distant and unfocused as if his thoughts were far away.
He wasn't looking at his defeated foe anymore. His mind had wandered into something far darker. The threat, the words the Great Calamity had spoken with Theron's body in his final moments, still echoed in Erend's mind.
"Unfortunately, no," Erend replied with a grim expression. "Be strong. It's still a long way to go."
With that, Erend stepped back and focused his energy. He activated his Dragon wings and it erupted from his back. They unfurled majestically, casting shadows on the charred earth below.
He glanced once more at Adrius and Lysander. Then, without another word, he launched into the sky, leaving the two Mages behind.
As Erend disappeared into the sky and fading into the horizon, Adrius and Lysander stood in silence among the destruction around them.
"We should be celebrating, shouldn't we?" Lysander glanced around at the scorched earth, the blackened remains of trees, and the smoldering air. "But it doesn't feel like a victory."
"Because it isn't, not yet. We've stopped Theron, but Erend's right. This is far from over," Adrius said.
Lysander sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Two more... and we barely made it through this one."
"We've survived because we've fought together. We need to keep that in mind. There's no time for rest, not now," Adrius replied.
"I know. But, I'm tired. We just finished the hardest battle of our lives, and we're already talking about the next one."
Adrius placed a hand on Lysander's shoulder, offering what little reassurance he could. "We have to be stronger. The kingdom depends on it."
Lysander nodded. "You're right."
"And that means going back to the capital. Rallying what's left of our resources and fortifying our defenses."
Lysander straightened himself, squaring his shoulders. "No rest for the weary, huh?"
"Not this time," Adrius said with a weary smile. "We'll rest when this is truly over."
The two of them shared a look of understanding. With a final glance at the battlefield they turned and began the journey back to the kingdom.
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