Semua Bab Sacrifice Of The Heart: Bab 141 - Bab 146

The valley was quiet now.Ash still floated in the air, curling like breath from the dying mouths of the battlefield. The ancient ones had vanished as silently as they’d come, leaving only the echo of their presence—like a scar etched into the bones of the land. And yet, the silence was not peace.It was aftermath.Elara stood amidst the wreckage—her palms open, her eyes unfocused. Blood clung to the edges of her cloak, though none of it was hers. Not this time.Behind her, the remnants of their army moved slowly, tending to the wounded, gathering the fallen. Kael knelt beside a lifeless body, pressing a hand to the chest, eyes closing briefly before moving to the next. Vesper stood still, his gaze distant, jaw clenched in fury held too long beneath the surface.“We won,” Mira said behind her, voice brittle. “Didn’t we?”Elara didn’t answer. Because winning had never felt so much like losing.They had survived. But survival had come at a price—one they hadn’t agreed to pay.The ritual

The great hall was silent, save for the steady drip of rain against the stained-glass windows. Shadows curled along the ancient stone walls like slow-moving smoke, wrapping the room in a quiet anticipation.Elara stood at the center, her heart pounding louder than the storm outside. Around her, the gathered nobles, mages, and warriors held their breath. This moment was more than ceremony—it was a binding thread, weaving fate and future in one irrevocable vow.Kael’s eyes met hers, fierce and steady, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. The weight of unspoken promises passed between them, heavier than any armor.The high priestess stepped forward, her voice calm but unwavering. “By the ancient rites, sealed with blood and spirit, do you swear allegiance not just to the throne, but to the kingdom’s very soul?”Elara’s gaze flickered to the symbols etched along the floor, the sigils pulsing faintly beneath her feet. This was no ordinary oath. This was a tether to everything

The battlefield was quiet now, the echoes of war fading into a fragile calm. The air smelled of smoke and damp earth, but beneath the ashes, life was stirring.Elara stood at the edge of the shattered kingdom, her eyes tracing the horizon where ruins met the budding green of new growth. The cost had been immeasurable — friends lost, dreams shattered, and wounds that might never fully heal. Yet, amid the devastation, a fragile hope took root.Kael approached, his steps steady, a quiet strength in his presence. “The kingdom remembers, Elara. Not just the scars, but the courage that brought us here.”She turned to him, her voice soft but sure. “We’ve lost so much… but what remains is worth protecting. The legacy isn’t just the crown or the throne—it’s the hearts that keep beating, the stories still waiting to be told.”Around them, the people began to emerge from hiding—warriors, mages, and common folk alike—drawn by the promise of a future beyond fear. Children laughed cautiously, their