The night stretched endlessly over the shattered plains. The once-vibrant sky of Asterion had turned into a bruised veil of purple and ash. Every star seemed dimmer, as if the heavens themselves were holding their breath.
Rian stood at the edge of the encampment, his armor cracked but gleaming faintly under the silver light. The remnants of his army — humans, beasts, and half-bloods — were scattered behind him, their fires flickering weakly in the cold wind.
Lyra approached, her steps soft but firm. Her white cloak fluttered, dusted with dried blood. "They won't sleep tonight," she said quietly. "None of them can."
Rian didn't look at her. "They don't need sleep," he replied. "They need belief."
A silence lingered between them, heavy but strangely gentle. Lyra's gaze drifted toward the horizon, where the black citadel of the gods loomed — their final destination.
"The prophecy says the Star Wolf will rise only once," Lyra whispered. "After that, the world will burn or be reborn."
Rian turned, his golden eyes burning faintly in the dark. "Then let it be reborn."
Behind them, the soldiers began chanting softly — not of war, but of remembrance. Names of the fallen were murmured like prayers, their voices rising with the wind.
Lyra reached for Rian's hand. "If we fail…"
He squeezed her hand, steady and sure. "Then at least the stars will remember our names."
A faint smile curved her lips. "That's not enough for me."
Rian tilted his head slightly. "Then what do you want, Lyra?"
Her eyes shone like fractured moonlight. "I want you to survive."
For a heartbeat, the world stilled. The sound of the fire, the whispers of soldiers, the weight of prophecy — all faded.
Then Rian smiled, soft but sad. "That's the one thing I can't promise."
Thunder rolled far away, echoing from the mountains — the gods were stirring.
Lyra stepped closer, resting her forehead against his chest. "Then promise me this," she said. "If the world ends, you'll find me again… in the next one."
Rian's breath trembled as he whispered, "I'll find you — no matter how many worlds it takes."
The sky split open with light.
The war for the final dawn had begun.