Steel sang as Kaito's blade met Elyria's. The battlefield blurred around them—time narrowed to the two hearts beating in sync, then clashing in chaos.
"You were mine," he whispered, parrying a duskfire slash.
"I was never anyone's," she countered, twirling and slicing low. "You forgot that when you became a king."
Kaito grunted, deflecting. "And you forgot who you were when you knelt to him."
Flames burst around them as their blades collided again, throwing each other backward. Her power was corrupted by shadow, but laced with sorrow.
They circled again. "You didn't come for me," Elyria said, her voice cracking.
"I died for you!" Kaito shouted. "And now I live—for you still!"
She charged, faster than before, eyes full of tears and fury. Nightcleaver clashed with her duskblade in a blinding explosion of light and shadow.
Images flashed—memories shared:
A moonlit garden.
A kiss beneath falling petals.
Her hand slipping from his in the fire.
"Why does it still hurt?" she cried, their swords locked.
"Because it still matters," Kaito breathed.
She dropped her blade suddenly, falling to her knees.
"I don't want to be this," she whispered. "But I can't go back."
He stepped forward slowly. "Then come forward—with me."
Behind them, the Veil Lord appeared, a swirling mass of darkness, his fury crackling across the field.
"Enough sentiment."
He raised a hand—and stabbed it toward Elyria.
Kaito leapt between them.
The dark blast struck him in the chest.
"Kaito!" Elyria screamed.
He fell, blood soaking his tunic, Nightcleaver clattering beside him.
The world slowed.
Then—Elyria rose.
She turned toward the Veil Lord, eyes blazing with a new light. "You tried to erase me. Twist me. But love is stronger than your chains."
The duskfire around her shattered—replaced by golden light.
She picked up Nightcleaver.
And as she held it, the blade responded—merging with her essence.
The rebirth… was now complete.
Together, Kaito and Elyria would face the darkness.