**The Final Choice –** Lucian lay on the bloodstained stones, eyes fluttering open. He saw them—Ariana standing before him, and Rowan, sword lowered but still in hand. The world seemed to hold its breath. Ariana turned to Rowan, voice soft but resolute. "I do choose… you, Rowan." Rowan's breath caught. Hope flickered in his eyes. "You mean it?" Ariana nodded, a tear tracing down her cheek. "Yes. I always did. I was just… lost. But I see now." Rowan stepped toward her, but his gaze flicked to Lucian—his face hardened again. "Then let me end this. Here. Now. He tormented you. Harassed you. If we let him live… who knows when he'll rise again? Stronger. Darker." Ariana stepped firmly in front of Lucian. "I know. But I still don't want him to die." Rowan's shock was palpable. "You trust this monster?" Ariana answered quietly. "No. I trust myself. To handle him if he ever dares again. But he… he doesn't need to die, Rowan. Please." Rowan's fury clashed with love in his eyes. His grip tightened on the sword—but then slowly, he lowered it to the ground. "Fine. For you, Ariana… I'll spare him. But you'll be safe under me. I swear it." Ariana stepped forward, placing her hand on Rowan's chest, tears falling freely. "Thank you… thank you for trusting me."
**The End of Shadows –**Rowan wrapped his arm around Ariana. Together, they turned away. Lucian watched, barely able to move—his face unreadable. Not hate. Not anger. But loss. Rowan and Ariana walked back through the gates, leaving the cursed kingdom behind. The wind was cold. The night was silent. Behind them, Lucian's kingdom faded into mist… and silence.
**Rise of the Fallen –** Lucian lay motionless on the stone floor, blood painting the ancient ground. Ariana's choice echoed in his ears. But the darkness inside him still breathed… just barely. "Ariana…" he whispered. Then, a soft tremble beneath the ground—a distant pulsing, like magic awakening. From the shadows emerged figures clad in obsidian armor, faces masked, eyes glowing unnaturally. The Elite Guard—Lucian's most devoted. Commander Velka knelt before him. "We felt your pain through the seal, my king. The bond has been shattered… but you live." Lucian groaned. "They… left me. She… left me." Velka spoke gently. "She chose the golden knight. But she does not yet understand the power she has awakened within you. "Lucian's eyes flickered with anger, grief, betrayal—and something more dangerous: resolve. "I spared her. I loved her. And still she ran." Velka nodded. Soldiers carefully lifted him toward a glowing shadow portal. "You showed mercy… and it cost you your crown, your pride, and your heart. But now… let us show them what your fury truly looks like."
**The Shadow Regathers –** Inside the hidden sanctum of the Dark Keep, Lucian was lowered into a healing pool of obsidian energy. His wounds hissed, muscles trembled, but magic flowed through him once more. "I won't chase her again… Next time, she'll come to me. Willingly." His eyes opened—dark, burning with quiet vengeance. Not wild. Not cruel. Calculated.
AftermathWhen they returned home, Rowan was injured, but Ariana's mental and physical wounds were far more severe. Over the following days, Rowan recovered quickly, but Ariana remained restless and haunted by memories of what Lucian had done to her. Her panic and anxiety flared when she was alone. Rowan stayed by her side, helping her heal. One night, overcome by despair, Ariana burst into sobs on Rowan's shoulder.