She blinked against the sunlight, then turned eyes instantly on Alex. Her hands flew to his wounds, checking every bandage, ignoring the world. Tears streamed quietly down her cheeks.
From the corner, Luke broke the silence:
"Seriously? You vanish for months, and the first thing you do when you wake up... is cry over your boyfriend?"
She froze.
Then turned.
And ran into her brother's arms, sobbing like the world had broken and mended all at once.
Luke held her close. His voice soft now.
"It's okay. He told me everything… before he passed out again."
She cried harder. Talking through the tears. Guilt, fear, relief all spilling in broken syllables. Luke just listened.
Patient. Quiet.
Then, finally, he pulled back and raised an eyebrow.
"So… are you admitting he's your lover or what?"
Her face flushed red.
Before she could answer, a warm hand rested on her head.
She looked up shocked and saw Luke's fiancée standing beside her.
"You survived, Ruby. You fought like hell. We're proud of you."
Ruby collapsed into her arms, crying again.
"It's okay," the woman whispered. "You're home now. We've already handled everything."
After a long embrace, she pulled away.
"How's he doing?" Ruby asked, brushing her tears. "When will he wake up?"
Luke gave her a lopsided grin.
"He just needs rest. And you… need a bath. You stink. And if he wakes up smelling you, it might kill him faster."
Ruby gave him a mock glare, eyes still puffy.
"!" Luke called.
A woman entered silently, nodded.
"Take her. Get her cleaned up. Make sure she eats. She's earned it."
Ruby didn't argue.
She looked at Alex once more peaceful, broken, breathing.
Then let herself be led away, step by step, like peeling herself from a dream she didn't want to wake from.
Later that evening, she stood before the king Leo beside her like a shadow carved from crimson fire. Her words poured like blood from a wound, slow, painful, honest. She spoke of the storm, the seals, the lightning, the demon, and Alex's final stand.
The king said nothing at first. Just listened. His face unreadable, but his knuckles white around the throne's armrest.
That night, Alex remained asleep. His body, burned and bruised, trembled even in slumber. Ruby didn't leave him. Not once. Not for even a breath longer than needed.
She cooked his food herself. Refused to let the royal chefs touch it. "He needs warmth, not formality," she said. Every meal came with a folded note a memory, a joke, a whisper of something only they would understand.
Luke watched this with quiet awe. He didn't speak much just sat at the corner of the room each day, sometimes reading, sometimes staring. Watching how Ruby wiped sweat from Alex's brow. How she cleaned his body, dressed his wounds. She didn't let the palace maids near him.
She fed him while he slept, drop by careful drop. Whispering, "Just a little more... please."
She'd sneak into his bed at night, curling up beside his side like a loyal flame. Luke would tease her. So would their father. But none of them had the courage to stop her. Because behind every jest, they knew this wasn't obsession.
It was something else. Something sacred.
One night, as she tried to sneak back to Alex's bed again, Luke caught her outside the hallway.
"Ruby! Please," he sighed, arms crossed. "Stop being so impatient. He needs time."
She froze.
Then slowly turned, her eyes glistening.
"You know nothing about him," she said, her voice shaking but sharp. "He's scared when he's alone. I've seen it. I know it. When I was broken, it was his presence that kept me breathing."
She stepped closer, her voice cracking but burning.
"When I cried, he made me laugh. When I bled, he stood in front of me. When I was ready to give up he reminded me why I can't."
Her fists were clenched.
"I love him, Luke. I love him, and I'm not ashamed of it."
She took a breath, tried to calm herself, but her chest was rising fast, like the fire hadn't finished burning through.
"I don't love him because he's a hero," she whispered. "I love him because he's human and still chose to be more."
Luke said nothing for a moment. Then nodded once. "Okay."
She didn't wait for permission. Just walked past him, her pace slow but determined.
As she opened the chamber door, she called softly to the beasts inside: "Leo… make sure no one disturbs us tonight."
Leo lifted his head. Then laid it back down with a quiet rumble, as if promising the world would burn before he let anyone cross that threshold.
Inside, she slipped under the covers beside Alex. Her fingers brushed his hand. His breathing slowed.
And in the silence, their heartbeats whispered a truth no words could carry.
Morning light spilled across the room like a quiet blessing. Ruby slept beside Alex, curled close, her breath soft against his arm.
Alex stirred, blinking his eyes open. His hand instinctively reached for his blade.
"Brave," he muttered, voice still rough from sleep. "Report. What happened last night?"
Brave, the ethereal guardian, appeared at his side, its form flickering in the morning haze. "Trouble lingered in the shadows. But it's been handled... for now."
Alex nodded, his eyes flicking to Leo and Darcy lounging nearby.
"Go. Play, you two. Stretch your wings."
Without a word, they leapt into the sky two streaks of fire and wind chasing each other across the morning clouds.
Then, to the doorway "Luke, come in. We need to talk."
Luke entered quietly. Alex raised a hand, crafting a shimmering barrier around Ruby. Soundproof, unbreakable.
"There are things she shouldn't hear right now."
He turned, face hard.
"She saw it, Luke. A woman being forced screaming, shattered. She watched it. Felt it. She almost lived it again. her mother used her life with dagger to protect her rubys 's dignity..."
Alex paused. His hand clenched into a fist.
"You ever looked at her left hand before that golden rune showed up? Those cuts? She did those to herself."
A faint noise echoed in the hallway. Alex glanced back. "I believe the old ghosts are here."
The King entered, silent and regal. He sat beside Luke. Moments later, Persious leaned against the wall, arms crossed, face unreadable.
Alex didn't look away. His voice dropped.
"You want to know why I hold her every night?" he asked. "Because she hates the dark. Because in that dark, she hears the screams of royal maids being tortured again and again. That's what your precious palace did to her."
He pointed toward Ruby, voice shaking. "She watched her mother die in her arms. So don't you dare try to pull royal ethics on her. I'll burn them down myself."
Persious stepped forward, tone heavy. "Alex, that's enough."
But he continued, fire in his veins.
"You love her? Then act like it. Care for her. Spend time with her. Because all the beauty, smile and warmth she's ever known... died with her mother."
Suddenly, Ruby stirred. She sat up and tugged at Alex's collar, eyes half-lidded, lips curled in a smirk.
"This idiot still thinks I can't hear through a sound barrier," she said.
"She's more powerful than that damn Eight-Star Maze we crushed. That maze? Her work."
Alex smirked and pointed at the golden mark glowing faintly on Ruby's hand. "Even if she gets a scratch, I can sense it from another galaxy."
Then he raised his voice. "Leo!"
A gust of wind and a flicker of fire Leo landed before him, eyes blazing red, flames circling her mane.
"Do what your senses say."
Without hesitation, Leo turned. In a flash of flame, the knight hiding behind the king was reduced to ash.
"I want the commander of the Knight Force hanged in front of Ruby. I want him to feel what life and death really mean. You already know what I declared no more slaves. Not on this planet."
Ruby's eyes flew open. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sat up fully.
Alex rushed to her, wrapping his arms around her.
"Please don't slap me," he whispered, wincing. "I've got a cut in my mouth."
She sobbed into his shoulder. "Idiot... do you know how worried I was? You keep getting yourself hurt!"
He held her until her crying slowed. "I had no choice," he murmured. "I'm sorry."
She finally leaned back. Her eyes fell on Luke and the King.
She pulled Alex's jacket up over her face. "How long have my father and brother been here?!"
Persious laughed. "Let's skip that part. Come on, let's get breakfast before we all faint."
Ruby let Alex go and immediately started checking the wounds scattered across his chest and arms. Then she turned to Luke.
"I'm sorry, brother. I couldn't hold back."
Luke grinned. "It's okay, idiot."
Alex rose slowly, stretching. "Looks like I'm back."
Ruby smacked him lightly. "You're not going anywhere for at least seven days. Rest."
Alex gave a half-salute. "Okay. Never mind."
But when Persious looked at him just one silent nod Alex understood. There would be no rest. Not yet.
He sighed. "Guess we're heading inside."
Inside the Dining Hall...
The hall buzzed gently with murmured conversation and clinking cutlery. Ruby sat beside her aunt, recounting their harrowing adventure, her voice soft but animated. Her hands gestured as if reliving the storm, the seals, the blood, and Alex's stand against death itself.
Persious calmly ate his food. Across the table, Alex stared not at anyone but at the spoon and fork on his plate like they were puzzle pieces to a world he didn't belong to.
Persious caught him. "What now, kid? You gonna duel that fork or make peace with it?"
Alex laughed, sheepish. "Sorry! These utensils? They're totally different. I still eat with my hands, you know?"
A maid approached, bowing slightly. "Master Alex, may I assist?"
Alex nodded, and the maid began feeding him gracefully. But halfway through, Alex paused, his body tensing.
"Do you feel that?" he murmured, eyes sliding to Persious. "Got chills. Like... shadow-chills."
Persious casually pointed his fork not at a ghost, but directly at Ruby.
"It's her. She's glaring like she'll roast you alive if you spill a drop."
Across the table, the King and Luke kept eating with forced serenity. Ruby's aunt kept up polite conversation like nothing was wrong.
But Luke, his patience frayed, finally groaned. "Alex, can you stop being so "
Thwack!
A muffled thump echoed from beneath the table.
"OW!" Luke winced, gripping his shin.
Ruby smiled sweetly, foot still planted. "Brother. Let him eat."
Luke threw a helpless look at Persious. But Persious simply put down his fork and looked at the maid.
"I'll take it from here. Please rest."
The maid bowed and stepped back.
Then, almost too casually, Persious began feeding Alex the remaining bites, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Listen closely, Alex. The moment we finish here we're leaving. No goodbyes. Training awaits."
Alex blinked. "Why run?"
Persious ruffled his hair. "Because if you're running toward something great, you don't turn back. Get used to it."
Alex leaned over, called softly, "Ruby."
She walked to him, confused. He reached under his cloak and pulled out the white short sword the one gifted by the ocean demon.
"Keep this with you," he said, placing it in her hands. "It means I'm with you, always."
Ruby clutched the sword, her lips trembling. She said nothing only returned to her seat, eyes never leaving him.
Alex looked at Leo. "Be a good cat."
Leo blinked once. Slowly. A promise in silence.
Moments Later…
Persious walked out of the hall, opening the palace doors. Two guards stood outside, visibly tense.
He grinned. "No wonder. She cracked the 8-Circle Maze. she know alex was about leave this place any way"
".
He turned slightly, speaking over his shoulder. "Alex. Now."
Alex stood. "Darcy come!"
Darcy, coiled in a corner, unfurled her long dragon form and grew massive in seconds. Wind swirled as Alex climbed on her back.
Ruby and Luke shouted, charging after him as palace guards sprang into motion, surrounding them.
Persious, surrounded himself, heard Alex's whistle and raised his hand.
BOOM. Magic detonated around the courtyard.
Alex and Darcy soared upward. Guards scrambled.
At the central fountain, Persious carved a portal into the very air.
"Alex! That's the exit!"
Alex veered, diving toward the swirling gate.
But before entering, he looked back.
Ruby was running sprinting for him like her soul was breaking.
He smiled, just as she nearly reached his hand.
"Bye, Princess Rebecca!" he shouted. "I believe my story ends here! Get stronger than me! Keep smiling! Look after leo!"
He winked at Ruby.
"Sayonara."
And with that he fell into the portal.
Vanished.
Gone.
The wind that followed was silent. Cold.
Ruby stopped short, breath ragged, sword still in hand.
Tears welled. But she didn't fall.
Instead, she gripped the white dagger tighter.
Because this wasn't an end.
It was a new beginning.
And she would follow even if it meant walking into the storm he ran toward.