Morning sunlight spilled across the monastery like gold poured over old stone. The night before had been loud with music, dancing, and laughter; now it was quiet, the hush of a new year. Prince sat in the parlour with Praise beside him. Her head rested lightly on his shoulder; his fingers traced lazy circles on the armrest.
"You've been quiet since last night," she murmured.
"I'm still thinking," Prince said, eyes distant. "About what Veyra said before she died."
Praise gave a little punch to his arm. "Stop brooding for one morning." She leaned closer, her voice softer. "Half demon or not, you're still you." Before he could answer, she kissed him. The world fell away for a heartbeat, prince lie back on the chair with praise on him.
The door banged open. "Are you two—" Jed stopped mid-sentence, eyebrows shooting up. "Wait. Are you guys dating?" His voice went up another octave. "Lammy! You need to see this!"
Lammy stuck his head around the doorframe, smirking. "About time," he said, and disappeared again. The moment broke, but a small smile stayed on Prince's face.
Kael of Fire stood on a ridge above a small village, flames flickering in the seams of his armour. Rage still burned in him like a second sun. Veyra's death replayed behind his eyes with every breath. He raised one gauntleted hand.
"Double the tax," he told the trembling elder below. "Those who refuse—burn their houses."
"No—please—" a woman cried, but Kael had already turned away. Fire leapt from his palm. The village sky turned red.
Hours later, word of the destruction reached the monastery. By the time Prince, Praise, Jed, and Lammy arrived at the village, Kael was gone. Only ashes and smoke remained.
Far away, deep inside Dreadfang's hidden compound, light pooled like liquid metal on the floor. Two guards lay smoking where they had stood, their faces frozen in surprise. A tall figure stepped over them, skin shimmering with prisms.
"You said you wanted results," Lume of Light said, bowing mockingly. "Well, who do you want among the four? I can take one, not all."
In the shadows above, Dreadfang's silhouette shifted. "Make your choice."
Lume grinned. "Done." He raised his hand; a beam of radiance swallowed him and he was gone.
Back at the ruined village, the team knelt among the injured, binding wounds and conjuring small spells of healing. Praise's hands shook as she passed water to a crying child.
"We'll rebuild," Lammy promised the villagers. "He won't get away with this."
A flash of white split the air. Before anyone could move, Lume stood in the centre of the square, eyes like burning stars. His voice was almost cheerful.
"Happy New Year," he said.
A spear of light shot across the square and buried itself in Jed's chest. The impact threw him backward. Blood blossomed across his shirt.
"Jed!" Prince shouted.
Lume tilted his head, watching their horror for a heartbeat, then vanished in another beam of light.
The square went silent except for Jed's ragged breathing. Praise dropped to her knees beside him. "Stay with us," she whispered, hands pressing against the wound as the light faded from the sky.