The Fire Army wiped out every Ancient Soldier they encountered. Varenka remained on guard while secretly healing her mother.
"Do you know Lady Cierra?" Alastair suddenly asked.
"Yes. I believe you already know that she is my master," Varenka answered.
Byanka and Aamon were both shocked.
Byanka turned toward Varenka. "How can she be your master? Don't tell me that during the entire year you disappeared, she took you?"
Varenka met Byanka's gaze. Her expression silently confirmed her mother's suspicions. Aamon looked away, deliberately avoiding everyone's eyes.
Alastair laughed, clearly intending to reveal more. "Didn't Lady Cierra help the Icelands and Firelands obtain an heir and train her?"
"Alastair! How dare you frame me!" Lady Cierra suddenly appeared and shouted.
The moment Byanka saw Lady Cierra, anger began to rage within her.
"You witch! You are the reason I lost my chastity and virginity!"
Alastair laughed, while Aamon realized that his older brother had lowered his guard. Varenka glanced at her father and noticed the silent communication between them. She gave him a subtle nod.
Varenka and Aamon played along.
"Mother, Lady Cierra isn't at fault! She was only following orders. She isn't the person you think she is," Varenka explained.
Varenka knew how to persuade her mother, but she also knew that Byanka could not easily be reasoned with while consumed by anger.
Aamon secretly sheathed his Supreme Flaming Sword and waited for the right moment. Meanwhile, Varenka continued distracting everyone, making sure their plan would succeed.
"Lady Cierra, didn't you tell them about the origins of the Night's Generation?" Alastair asked.
Lady Cierra hesitated. "My family's origins are not something that needs to be questioned!"
Alastair grinned. He suddenly noticed Aamon standing behind him.
"You're so sly, my dear brother and niece," Alastair said angrily.
"Don't be a coward, brother." Aamon drew his weapon.
"I'm not the coward here. You are!"
Alastair swiftly blocked Aamon's attack.
Lady Cierra gave Aamon and Varenka a boost, strengthening their abilities. Byanka was still recovering, although her anger had begun to subside.
Varenka attacked with all her strength, and Aamon joined her in the assault. Alastair was gradually cornered, but he showed no fear of death.
"You idiots! How dare you try to kill me!?"
As soon as Byanka had fully recovered, she joined the battle. Lady Cierra hesitated before attacking, but eventually entered the fight as well.
"You dared to murder my people! Now I shall end you!" Byanka threatened.
Alastair realized that he was nearing death. His gaze shifted toward Lady Cierra, filled with suspicion.
"Why did you lie to me...?" Alastair questioned.
Aamon stabbed him with all his strength. Varenka burned him with her hybrid powers, while Byanka froze his heart. Finally, Lady Cierra delivered the final blow.
"You are a sinner, full of sins that can never be forgiven nor forgotten. As the Lady of Night, I shall punish you on behalf of your victims. I shall destroy both your body and soul!"
Alastair moaned and screamed as unbearable pain consumed him.
After delivering the final blow, Lady Cierra's eyes were filled with sadness.
Varenka finally realized the truth. Her uncle and master had once been disciple and master, friends, and even lovers. She felt sorrow for what had become of them, but she also felt relief that they had finally defeated the successor of the Mysterious Emperor.
Yet none of them knew what the future held, nor did they understand the consequences of the choices they had made.