Aria's hair slowly returned to its silvery color as her nature powers calm down, leaving the towering trees and vines motionless once again.
Aria's heart raced the moment she saw Ethan standing before her, alive and unscathed. It had been over a month since they'd last met, but the weight of that time felt immeasurable, as if they had been separated for an eternity.
Though Ethan looked slightly mature, Aria recognized him instantly.
His presence filled her with strange sense of warmth and relief, emotions she had tried to bury but now surged to the surface. Her gaze softened as she looked at him, love shining in her eyes.
Aengus, on the other hand, found himself uncharacteristically nervous, a sensation foreign to him since his transformation into a demon. Her presence stirred something deep within him, something even his darkness heart couldn't suppress.
"Ethan, you're alive...I knew.. " Her voice trembled, thick with emotion, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She took a step forward, her breath catching in her throat, as though afraid this was all just a fleeting dream.
Aengus hesitated, his voice faltering. "Y-Yes, Aria, I am. I also thought—"
Before he could finish, Aria closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, throwing herself into his arms with a desperation that expressed month's of separation.
She clung to him like a kitten seeking warmth, her arms wrapping tightly around his broad chest. Her emotions spilled over, chaotic and overwhelming, and Aengus responded instinctively, embracing her slender form. His arms wrapped around her soft, trembling body, pulling her close.
He breathed deeply, taking in the intoxicating scent of her silvery hair, the sweetness mingled with the essence of nature.
In that moment, time seemed to stand still. The battlefield, the distant cries, the lingering tension—they all faded into the background, leaving only the two of them, reunited after what had felt like an endless wait.
Drake and Yona stood frozen, their eyes wide with disbelief as they watched Ethan being alive and well. He even easily defeat the Fire Dragon Prince.
"That's Ethan, right? Or are my eyes deceiving me?" Drake asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Yona, her expression still one of shock, nodded slowly. "Yes, it's him. I can't believe it either. He survived... but not the others." Her voice grew somber as she recalled her old party members: Marcus, Cedric, and Iris. A heavy sigh escaped her lips.
Drake clenched his fists, excitement overcoming his initial shock. "Wow! That's amazing. Ethan has also gotten so powerful, just like Sister Aria. Let's see how that arrogant Dragon dares to bully us now."
"But I love Aria," he whispered fiercely, his eyes still locked on the pair. "I want to marry her. Should I just give up on my wish? Answer me, Delilah."
Princess Delilah sighed, unsure how to respond to her brother's stubbornness. "If that's how you feel, then you'll have to win her heart—not through force, but by earning her love. Good luck, my foolish brother," she whispered with indifference.
Mikail barely listened to her advice, his thoughts already spiraling into something sinister.
As his sister's words drifted away, his face twisted into a cruel smile. He wasn't about to give up on Aria, not by a long shot. If he couldn't win her heart with love, he had other means in mind, far more sinister.
Aria and Aengus slowly pulled away from their embrace, both of their faces glowing with warmth and slight smiles. Aengus could feel the depth of Aria's love for him, far more intense than what she let on, and it stirred something deep within him.
As they stepped apart, their companions began to gather around them, sensing the tension in the air. On the opposite side, the Dragon Royalties and their servants stood united, their postures rigid and expressions determined.
The air between the two groups was thick with unspoken intentions, the atmosphere electric with the anticipation of what was to come.
Yona and Drake exchanged nervous glances, realizing the gravity of the confrontation ahead. The Dragon Princes and Princesses weren't just formidable; they were renowned for their power and pride.
Sofia, Hank and Nate, though still confused about Ethan's true identity, also felt the rising pressure of the situation.
Aurora, Melina, and Sigard, bruised but standing strong, watched Aengus with a newfound wariness. They knew this was no ordinary human.
Sigard's eyes widened as he suddenly recalled who Aengus was. He was the same high-human he had sensed a threat from earlier, just before entering the battlefield. He had launched a preemptive attack back then, aiming to eliminate Aengus swiftly, but to his frustration, the attempt had failed.
Sigard in his human form, still nursing his injuries, let out a low growl of frustration, while Aurora's icy gaze lingered on Aengus, like a smitten cat, but seeing Aria and Aengus together made her jealous.
The battlefield was silent, except for the soft rustle of the wind.
The thousands of crowds could sense that a clash was inevitable, the final showdown between these powerful figures was on the brink of erupting.
Among the spectators, still remained a lot of young powerhouse, their eyes full of interest as they waited for the show, or if they could get some benefit in return.