"Please," he whispered, his voice cracking. "Don't leave me… not like this."

Then, a faint sound broke the stillness—a cough.

Adrian's breath caught in his throat as a faint, ragged cough broke the suffocating silence of the chamber. His head snapped up, his tear-streaked face filled with a desperate hope.

Elena stirred first, her translucent form solidifying into flesh. Her lashes fluttered open, revealing the soft glow of her eyes—just as he remembered.

"Elena," Adrian whispered, his voice trembling with a mixture of joy and fear.

She gave him a faint smile, her hand reaching weakly for his. He clasped it tightly, his fingers trembling as he felt her warmth, her life, in his grasp.

"You did it," she murmured, her voice fragile yet filled with a quiet strength. "You made a promise and fulfilled it. You avenged us… me… and our child."

Her words struck him like a blow, a bittersweet reminder of everything they had lost. Adrian felt a lump rise in his throat as he nodded, his tears falling anew.

"I did," he said, his voice breaking. "I kept my promise, Elena. I couldn't let them win. I couldn't let them take everything from us."

Elena's hand cupped his cheek, her touch sending a wave of warmth and sadness through him. "You've kept your promise," she said softly. "And I'm so proud of you."

Adrian was so overwhelmed, hugging her tightly to himself. They stayed like that for minutes before Adrian pulled away and looked into her eyes.

As he did, a tear rolled out of her eyes. "I love you Adrian."

"And I love you too, Elena."

"I know you do… But Adrian… I… don't belong here, not anymore."

"No," Adrian choked out, his grip tightening as if he could anchor her to this world. "You do. I've lost you once. I can't—"

"Shh," she interrupted, her thumb brushing away a tear from his cheek. "Listen to me. You've been fighting so long, holding onto the past. But it's time to let go."

Adrian shook his head, his heart splintering. "I can't. I can't let you go again."

Her smile deepened, tender and full of love. "You're not losing me, Adrian. Not really. I'll always be with you, in your heart. And you're not alone. Alannah… she's good for you. She loves you, even if she won't admit it to herself yet."

"Elena—"

"No," she whispered, her voice steady despite its softness. "Promise me, Adrian. Promise me you'll let yourself be happy with her. She'll guide you out of the darkness, just like you've guided her."

Adrian's throat tightened, but he nodded, his tears falling silently.

Elena leaned closer, her lips brushing his in a fleeting, ethereal kiss. "I'm sending you a gift," she murmured, her voice fading like a breeze. "Through her."

Her form began to dissolve, her body turning to shimmering light that rose into the air like glowing fireflies.

Adrian reached out, his hand grasping at the vanishing fragments of her, his heart shattering as she disappeared.

"Elena!" he cried, his voice echoing through the chamber.

But she was gone.

Adrian sat frozen, his hand still outstretched, his body trembling with grief. For a long moment, the chamber was silent save for the faint crackle of residual magic.

"So I got her back only to lose her again?"

"There was nothing we could do Adrian. We tried our best but it seems she's ready to move on to the otherworld."

Adrian sniffed, using the back of his hand to wipe away his tears. He had done it, defeated the Shadow Court and enacted vengeance. And though Elena wasn't here, he was glad he had the opportunity to hold her again, to hear her voice, to feel her.

Then, another sound—a soft gasp.

Adrian turned sharply, his eyes widening as he saw Alannah stirring. Her chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, her fingers twitching slightly. She blinked, her eyes fluttering open, confusion clouding her gaze.

"Adrian?" she croaked, her voice weak but unmistakably alive.

A sob tore from Adrian's throat as he leaned down, pulling her into his arms with a tenderness that belied his immense relief. "Alannah," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You're alive. You're okay."

Alannah's hands weakly gripped his tunic as she buried her face in his shoulder. "I… I thought I was gone," she whispered.

Adrian held her tighter, his tears falling onto her hair. "You're here," he said, his voice trembling. "You're here with me. That's all that matters."

The goddesses watched silently, their expressions a mix of relief and solemnity. Hera stepped forward, her voice gentle. "Adrian, we've done all we can. It's time for us to return."

Adrian looked up at them, his arms still wrapped around Alannah. "Thank you," he said, his voice hoarse. "For everything."

The goddesses inclined their heads.

With that, they turned and made their way toward the chamber's exit.

Adrian helped Alannah to her feet, her body still weak but regaining strength with every passing moment. As they stepped outside the chamber, the air felt lighter, the oppressive energy that had hung over the place now gone.

But they were not alone.

A group of figures stood waiting in the shadows, their forms cloaked in darkness. The remaining members of the Shadow Court.

Adrian tensed, his body instinctively moving to shield Alannah.

"You don't just die, do you all?" Medea said, drawing out her sword.

But to their surprise, the figures moved as one, dropping to their knees.

The leader of the group stepped forward, his head bowed. "Hail, Malevolent Lord," he said in a reverent voice.

Adrian's brows furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

The leader raised his head. "You have defeated Marcus, the former Malevolent Lord. By the laws of the Shadow Court, his power and title now pass to you."

The leader extended his hands, presenting a familiar weapon—Marcus's blade, dark and menacing, yet radiating immense power.

Adrian stared at the weapon, his mind racing. "I didn't do this for power," he said, his voice low.

"It does not matter why," the leader replied. "By our code, you are now the Malevolent Lord. The Shadow Court is yours to command."

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