The shriek of tearing ice ripped through the air. The titan's colossal form, fractured by Leo's assault, gave one last shudder.
Bang!
The ground heaved. Its impact shook the entire forest, sending tremors up the giant trunks. Ancient branches groaned, shaking loose a rain of leaves and debris. Elves cried out, thrown from their feet by the violent quake.
Then, silence.
A freezing mist, born from the titan's shattered body, rolled outward. It swallowed the battlefield in a thick white shroud. The world vanished, replaced by a cold that stole the breath. The roar of battle was gone. Only a heavy, ringing quiet remained.
Then, a glimpse of gold glowed in the cloak of mist.
It grew steady. Warm.
"It's the awakened queen's magic!"
The shout was ragged, laced with awe and relief. The golden light bloomed, pushing back the oppressive white. A dome of pure light snapped into existence, a haven in the frozen chaos.
Amanda stood at its center, in front of the huddled elves. Her hands were lifted, palms facing outward.
Inside the golden dome, the air was warm, alive. The ground under their feet was soft earth. A stark contrast to the frozen, ice-slicked floor that lay just outside the barrier.
The silence returned. Heavier.
Amanda lowered her hands slowly. Her crimson eyes scanned the elves, seeing their fear settle into relief.
"It was shameful of me to show such demeanor." Her voice was quiet, yet it filled the dome.
Everyone watched in awe and the only sound was the faint, sharp crackle of the ice outside.
Then, a new sound.
Footsteps.
Crunching on the frozen ground. The sound approached the dome, then stopped just outside its golden wall.
Amanda did not turn. A small, knowing smile touched her lips.
She broke the silence. "Am I right, Leo?"
The golden wall of the dome rippled as Leo stepped through, the warmth inside instantly evaporating the frost from his shoulders.
He was not alone.
Amanda's breath caught. He was carrying Seraphina, his arms securely under her back and knees. The Queen, who had been seconds from harm under the titan's fist, looked stunned.
Amanda watched as Seraphina's forehead knitted. The Queen looked up from her position, her crimson eyes sharp, analyzing the face of the man holding her.
"You're that Leo?" Her voice was rough, strained.
He slowly, gently, let her down, allowing her to stand on her own feet. He was careful, his hands hovering, ready to catch her if she faltered.
A small, faint smile touched his lips. "I am indeed 'that' Leo."
His gaze shifted, finding Amanda where she stood frozen. He saw her stiff posture, her hands clenched at her sides, her eyes wide. He gave a slow, deliberate nod.
His mouth opened. No sound came out. But the words formed in Amanda's mind, clear as a bell.
It's okay to let it out…
His words broke the dam. The strength that held the dome, that held her together, finally fractured. A sob tore from her throat, a raw, desperate sound that echoed in the warm, golden light.
She lunged forward and threw her arms around Seraphina. She buried her face in the Queen's shoulder, her body shaking.
"I thought I will not be seeing you again." Her voice was muffled, thick with tears.
Seraphina's body was stiff for a moment. Shock held her rigid. Then, slowly, her arms came up. She hugged Amanda back, a strong, sure embrace.
"Now now," Seraphina's voice rumbled, her chin resting on Amanda's head. "This is not the time for this. But who cares?"
Amanda let out a wet chuckle. She pulled back slightly, her eyes shining with tears as she looked up. "But I don't understand this… feeling."
Seraphina looked down at her, and her expression softened. She knew. Her hand came up, stroking Amanda's hair.
"That's the curse the Elders gave to all Eldara," Seraphina said, her voice turning hard. "And the reason we need to stop them."
Amanda wiped the tears from her face, her hand brushing over her cheek. She took a steadying breath and stood straight, pulling away from Seraphina's embrace and nodded once.
Then she shot a look at Leo.
Her gaze locked with his. Her fingers found the warm, pulsing rune on her own chest, tracing its pattern. A connection hummed between them, an invisible thread. She saw the almost matching rune glowing on his body.
She moved toward him; her steps slow at first. Her hand lifted, reaching out, about to touch his rune.
"That dress really suits you."
Amanda stopped. The words, so simple and out of place, hung in the air. A slow smile spread across her face, bright and genuine.
She ran.
The last few feet vanished as she threw herself at him. Leo caught her, her arms wrapping around him with a passion force that felt like home. He returned the hug, lifting her clean off the ground. He circled in his place, holding her tight against him, just taking in the moment.
"I thought I lost you…"
The words were a low rumble in her ears. Amanda felt his voice vibrate deep in her chest, a physical sensation that was more than just sound.
She pulled back enough to hold his face between her hands, bringing his head closer. She looked, really looked, into his eyes.
"I like your hazel eyes more," she said softly.
She saw his eyes widen, the emerald light flickering with shock.
"My eyes changed?!"
For a moment, the golden dome was filled with nothing but Amanda's heartfelt laughter.
Her laughter softened when she heard Seraphina's deep breath and slowly looked at her.
The Queen was smiling, a faint but real expression. "Now that everyone's morale is up," Seraphina said, her voice regaining its familiar authority, "we can end the impending monstrosity behind us."
Outside the dome, the sound of the titan's body grinding against the earth was a low, heavy groan.
Amanda saw Seraphina's gaze sweeping the ground near her, her brow furrowed.
"What's the matter?" Amanda asked.
"My swords," Seraphina replied. "I must have dropped them during the battle."
Amanda then saw dark appendages erupt from Leo's back. They shot forward, piercing the golden wall of the dome without slowing. The black limbs plunged into the frozen mist.
The dark appendages retracted almost instantly, placing the swords directly into Leo's waiting hands. They dissolved back into his body, leaving no trace.
His expression hardened, the emerald light in his eyes focused. The brief warmth from moments ago was gone, replaced by a sharp intensity. He held the blades out to Seraphina, hilt-first.
"I agree," Leo said. "The Elders might be plotting something. And we need to stop them. Once and for all."