Chapter 28 – Peace

As Callum ran into the palace, passing the bodies of several Sunfire elves, he heard the sounds of fighting from the queen's chamber. As he charged into the room, he was just in time to see the man of his nightmares cast a spell that froze Rayla in place. He didn't care how he was able to do Sky magic without a primal stone, he just charged forward to stand between them. "That's far enough Viren!" he shouted.

The mage blinked at his sudden arrival. "Well, well, what an unexpected surprise, Callum." He smirked, stepping back a little. "I hardly recognise you. All dressed up...like someone important."

"Silence Viren! Drop your staff and surrender!"

"Why?" he asked almost playfully. "Why should I surrender to you?"

"Because your army is defeated, and the war is over. Ezran will take his place as the king of Katolis and end your reign of tyranny!"

"Oh my…it seems you are unaware of the situation," Viren said smugly. "I have more power now than you could ever hope to achieve, and when I consume you, I will be unstoppable. If I were you, I would run…pathetic boy." The mage stepped forward, untouched by the dragon's attempt to stop him.

"Get back!" he called again, keeping his sword ready.

The dark mage took a few more steps forward, a wicked grin on his face. In the moment of silence, they could hear the deep, calm breaths of the dragoness behind them. Viren glanced at her. "Oh, this must be the Dragon Queen, sleeping so peacefully." He reached out and gently caressed her muzzle. "Such a beautiful creature too."

"Stay away from my mother!" Callum ordered, stepping closer so he was right behind the mage.

Viren didn't even glance back at him. "Maybe I'll make you watch as I take her power first. She's practically dead already. Be a shame to waste it." He chuckled before turning on the spot and swinging his staff at the prince.

His reflexes were too fast, and there wasn't enough time to move. With a weak gasp, the dragon doubled over after being jabbed in the stomach. He tried to tell his body to move, but the pain clouded his vision and coursed down his spine. Everything hurt.

"Your mother can't protect you. You can't even protect yourself, Callum," he scoffed. "In what world could you ever defeat me?"

As the dragon fought back memories of pain, Rayla grunted while trying to free herself of her ice prison. "You know what you are, mage?!" she called out. "You're weak! You're a weak man who harms the helpless to make himself look and feel more powerful! You're not strong. You're as pathetic as they come!"

Viren took the bait and snarled over at her. "I am powerful, little elf." His staff turned to her, catching the underside of her chin. "I'm the strongest creature in all of Xadia, and when I take the dragon's life essence, nothing will stop me."

"Viren..." Callum hissed as he got back to his feet and faced the monster of every one of his nightmares. Somehow, he looked more monstrous than before with that creature on his shoulders. "This is your final chance; surrender now."

The mage turned to face him. "You are feeling quite bold to speak to me like that," he said, stepping forward. "Perhaps a week chained to the wall without food will curve your tongue."

"Save it! I'm not scared of you anymore. Now, surrender."

"I don't think so," he said cooly before charging at him.

Callum growled, preparing himself as he drew his blade and used it to block the mage.

The two clashed over and over in the room, neither of them getting the upper hand. Something at the back of his mind warned him to be careful of the creature on his shoulders, but also the fact that he was trying to wear him down. He didn't know why, but he was starting to feel tired.

When the pair backed away once more, Callum took his moment and turned, running out of the chamber and into the palace. The mage followed, just as he had planned, and they fought for a moment longer in the hallways. Callum clashed with him over and over, trying to back away and get him further from his mother.

If Viren knew what he was doing, he didn't say, and just followed the teen as he retreated all the way to the doors, then outside.

As soon as the wind graced his wings, Callum felt his plan work. The Sky Nexus filled him with strength and washed away his exhaustion. He turned to Viren and blocked the next attack from that awful spear of his, pushing against it as it tried to crack down on his head. "I'm not chained up anymore, Viren," he growled out, pushing the mage back and swinging for his neck, watching as the human blocked each attack. "You can't beat me down like you used to."

The man huffed as they backed off from each other. "You were a misbehaved boy, Callum," he sneered. "I had to teach you a lesson."

"The only thing you taught me is that you tend to attack from the right!" He charged at him again, swinging for his left and managing a slight cut on his arm when he didn't block fast enough.

Looking at the blood, Viren let out a snarl-like sound and held out his hand. Sensing the magic building, Callum turned and ran up the side of the palace, up the stairs, and towards the platform that was the nexus. He felt the ground shake as an explosion ripped some of the stone away and sent it tumbling to the ground below, but he was far enough away to avoid the damage himself.

He glanced back to see if his attacker was still following. A flash of white showed he was, and he raced to get to the top first, turning just above the stairs and lashing out as soon as the other came into view.

Viren grunted as he spun his staff around and stabbed the blunted end into his stomach, sending him back a few steps. The armour protected Callum from any injury, but he still felt his lungs burn from the blow.

He glanced quickly around the platform but it was just open and flat, a perfect view of the clouds and sunset around them. The prince panted for breath as he stood, looking back at his enemy and glaring hard as he prepared himself.

Oddly, Viren smiled, the large worm starting to speak. "There is nowhere for you to go now," it said in a strange tone that sent shivers down the prince's spine, but he held his ground, sword at the ready.

As the pair approached, Callum called upon the built up power inside him, and his hand began to crackle with lightning. "Who said I want to go anywhere? Fulminis!" The magic shot out towards them, but the mage just blocked it.

He tried again, but once more, it was blocked, diverted up into the sky.

Letting the magic fall back, he gripped the sword tighter and charged, but with inhuman speed, Viren avoided the block, striking the back of his hand with the staff. A sharp, unnatural pain caused him to let go of it, and it was thrown far over the cliff to the ground below.

Disarmed, the prince gasped, but his talons were sharp and ready. "I will stop you Viren! You will pay for your crimes against Xadia!"

Viren smirked, tipping his head to the side. "I don't think so, boy." He laughed, then slammed his staff down on the ground, dark, violet smoke coming from the ground and whirling around them both.

Callum watched it for a moment, preparing himself for whatever this Dark Magic would throw at him. Purple lightning crackled and shot towards him. With no shield or weapon to take the blast, he just braced, but when it hit him, he screamed, feeling it pulling at him in a way he could've never prepared himself for.

He gasped for air as he began to feel his life force being pulled out. His body grew weak and thin once more. He felt tired, falling to his knees as he panted, but it just continued.

Behind them, Rayla had gotten herself free of the ice and followed them up to the top, seeing the mage, and watching in horror as Callum suffered. She held back a gasp, drawing her weapons once more before charging forward, and jumping up to take aim for his back.

The creature on his shoulders turned to see her, but the mage was too busy to notice. However, somehow, he still turned and held out his hand, sending a blast of wind at her and knocking her weapons away.

Rayla landed harshly, and the mage turned to her as he continued to drain Callum's life. "You're too late," he told her, smirking menacingly. "I've already won."

She stared at Callum, unable to look away as the prince fell forward to his hands and knees. He had moments. His life was being drained away, yet, he looked past the monster and over to her, too weak to speak. The look in his eyes was not one of sadness or regret. They held something more powerful and unspoken.

Touching her guard badge for a second, she took a deep breath, closed her hands into fists, and charged at the mage as fast as she could. Before he could react, she tackled him around the waist, and kept running towards the edge until her feet left the ground, gravity taking them both.

Viren screamed as he began to fall down the impossible spire, but Rayla just let him go and allowed herself to fall.

Above, Callum took a few deep breaths as his life returned quickly, but then ran to the edge, looking down with panic. "NO! RAYLA!" he cried out, looking down at the clouds, but she was already past them.

He took a moment before frowning, and quickly jumped off himself.

The wind rushed past him as he dropped down along the mountain. He kept his wings pinned to his sides for speed, eyes watering at the force against them, but as he passed the cloud layer, he saw her: his silver-haired elf.

She appeared to have given herself to her fate, allowing herself to fall, but as the winds forced her to look up, she saw him falling after her. Her hand reached for him.

Callum grit his teeth as he tried to dive faster, tried to reach her, but she was falling too far, too fast. He needed more speed.

He closed his eyes, blocking her out of his mind as he tried to find the power inside himself that enabled him to shift forms. "Come on…Dragonic Matintio!" he told himself, then opened his eyes, but nothing had changed. He closed his eyes again. "DRAGONIC MATINTIO!" he screamed over the wind, but nothing happened.

He looked back at Rayla and beyond her, the ground coming into view.

She looked scared.

He stared at her, then at the ring on his finger, raising it to his lips. "I-I love you, Rayla." He gently whispered to it and gave it a kiss, holding his hand close to his chest. "Dragonic…Matintio."

A shiver ran down his spine and he opened his eyes. Instantly, something was different. He felt it, the shift. He didn't care what it had done to him. He was stronger now, and with a beat of his wings, he was shooting through the air faster than he thought possible. He caught up to Rayla in a heartbeat and turned so she was near his neck. "Grab on!" he shouted, and once he felt her grabbing the fur at his neck, he rolled around and returned to the sky.

Once he started flying back up, he turned his head to look over his shoulder, and saw her, clinging on to his back with a grin. "Callum!" she called over the wind, "You shifted! You're a full dragon!"

He smiled at her, then nodded. "Hold on tight!" he told her, then beat his wings faster to reach the peak. He landed elegantly on the ground before shifting back to his hybrid form. Rayla had been in the middle of jumping off his back when he changed so she ended up stumbling, but soon, two arms were around her and holding her tight.

Instantly, she held him too, amazed that she had a chance to once more. "Callum."

"I thought I lost you," he whispered sorrowfully into her ear. "I…I thought I was going to lose you."

"Never, you stupid lizard."

The prince leant back from her shoulder, cupping her cheek and rubbing away the tears that were beginning to form. "Rayla, if I didn't save you I…I was going to let myself fall."

His confession shocked her. "Callum, don't-"

"Life without you isn't worth living," he interrupted sharply, "Because I love you Rayla. I really do."

"Callum," she whispered with a smile. "I love you too." Then, the elf leaned in, kissing him as they stood on top of the world.

~#~

Having confessed their love, Rayla and Callum spared a few minutes together before the dragon shifted once more to his new draconic form. Rayla smiled as he did.

He was a little smaller than Pyrrah, a pale, sky blue with darker underplates. A mane of white fur surrounded his head, and spines lined his back while the fur ended at the tip of his tail.

Carefully, she climbed onto his back and he took her down to the ground below, giving a mighty roar as they did. Every dragon that heard it also roared, and when he landed on a rock overlooking the battle, each one bowed their heads to the ground, the humans, Variants, and elves all following suit.

Smiling, Callum spread his wings and raised his head. "Today…we lost friends and comrades in this battle," he said, his voice booming over the masses. "But we prevailed. We struck down the darkness that threatened our homes. We stood united. We fought together, and together we won! We wouldn't have succeeded without each other!" He nodded slightly. "Let this day be the day that a new era of peace begins between us all. An era where every human, elf, dragon, and Variant will live in unity. Let this day be a reminder to the evils out there: we will triumph, and together, we are unstoppable!"

~#~

As night fell, the combined armies celebrated at the foot of the mountain, while above, in the palace itself, the royals, generals, captains, and leaders all gathered in the throne room, talking lowly together as they waited. After a while, the doors opened, and two young boys stepped into the room. Callum and Ezran, walking side by side, passed everyone to reach the end. People bowed to them as they walked by, hands over their hearts as they did.

They paused to bow back to the Queen of Duren, but at the other end of the room, they joined Rayla and smiled at each other. "We did it," Callum whispered, "We actually did it."

"I just can't believe it," Ezran said as he picked up Bait and held him close. "Everything we've been through together, travelling the world…the battles…everything. To finally be here…together..."

"I know how you feel Ezran," Rayla chuckled. "I can't believe we did it...We changed everything."

"The world will never be the same now." The Dragon Prince smiled. "Because of us."

Ezran laughed, then glanced back at the people behind them. "Because of everyone, Cal."

He turned and looked as well before smiling. "Yes, because of everyone." He bowed respectfully to them all. However, he was interrupted when the ground below them began to shake, many of the warriors reaching for their weapons in case something was happening, but Callum just blinked.

"Mother..." he whispered, then ran towards her chamber, his friends and a few others following close behind.

They soon arrived in the massive chamber, just in time to see the gigantic dragoness move, sniffing the air and slowly opening her bright, blue eyes. She looked around for a moment before her gaze settled on the boy at the front of the crowd with a sapphire crown on his brow. "Is this…a dream?" she asked slowly as she stared down at him. "I-I can't believe it."

She looked to the others as they gathered behind him, smiling at the recovered dragoness. "Variants and humans are here? And they…" She paused, closing her eyes as she began to shift down to her hybrid form.

Zubeia stood before them, her wings shimmering as if lighting coursed through the membranes. Her hair was chestnut brown, tied back with a golden band. Her face was just like Callum had drawn her, kind and rounded, her smile slightly hesitant as she approached the boy who just stood still, taking in her eyes.

She reached out and slowly touched his cheek, tears rolling down her face. They've brought back my son?..."

Callum nodded slowly at her touch, tears of his own forming. "Mother..."

With a small gasp, she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him. "Cadonumis," she whispered, hugging him close as the tears fell. "I thought…I thought you…."

"It's alright mother," he whispered back, hugging her tight. "I'm home...I'm home."

She pulled away and stared at him, tears of happiness in her eyes. "Oh Cadonumis...you look so much like your father."

He smiled at the comparison, then held her hand. "Mother, allow me to introduce you to the people who saved me." He turned to the others. "This is King Ezran of Katolis, my brother."

The queen didn't even flinch at the mention of 'brother', or the fact that Ez was only a child. She bowed her head slightly. "Your Highness, thank you for bringing my son back to me," she said respectfully. Ez returned the bow with a smile.

"And this is Amaya and Janai. Best generals I could've asked for."

The two bowed to the queen and prince before exchanging looks with proud smiles.

Zubeia nodded to them. "Generals, may your swords always serve Xadia proudly."

"Ginten, the leader of the Variants who helped us turn the tides of the battle."

"It's-It's an honour your Majesty," he said, kneeling before her.

"Please, rise Ginten," the queen said softly. "I know your people have not always been treated kindly, but I am grateful you put that behind you."

"In all honesty your Majesty, it was your son who made the difference."

She nodded, then moved on to the next to be introduced. Callum pointed to both of them. "This is Soren and Pyrrah, best fighter and flyer I know."

The dragoness and guard bowed respectfully to the queen, but Soren went a little too far and started to stumble, the dragoness grabbing his cloak to prevent him from face-planting before the queen. "Idiot," Pyrrah muttered under her breath.

The queen chuckled lightly at their friendship, while her son moved to the next person he wanted to introduce, an elf. "And…finally, allow me to introduce you to Rayla." He held out his other hand to her and pulled her slightly away from the others.

The queen looked the elf over and noted her armour, giving her a smile and a nod. "A Dragon Guard."

"No," Callum said softly, letting go of his mother so he could hold both of Rayla's hands. His eyes gazed lovingly into hers. "My Dragon Guard. I couldn't have asked for a better guard or guide. She has saved me so many times…and…I love her with all of my heart." He stared at her for a moment before his smile grew a bit. "So…if she will have me…" He reached to his hand and took off the ring she'd given him. "I wish for her to be my mate."

Everyone present gasped as they watched him stand with Rayla before slowly getting to one knee, his smile never faulting. "Rayla…I promised I would give this back to you when the battle was won. I wouldn't be standing here without you, and I can't bear to think of a day without you in it. Please…be mine, forever."

The elf blinked in amazement as the Dragon Prince himself knelt before everyone and offered her the ring.

The room held its breath before seeing the corner of her mouth turn up. "Yes," she whispered before breaking out into laughter, "Yes, I will."

Standing, Callum chuckled before taking her hand and slipping the ring onto the correct finger. He swept her up into his arms while those present cheered. Holding each other close, Callum brushed his cheek against her face before they kissed once more. "My elf..." he whispered.

"My lizard," she returned, kissing him again.

The End

SL: I can't believe it. It… it's over. It's done. I mean, we started writing this story in December of 2019, from a journal article on Deviant Art. And now, here we are, 28 chapters later, with over 200 reviews across the four platforms. And, wow. The response has been incredible!

Ray and I have been amazed by the reviews, the kind words...even when I mess up the formatting or order of chapters.

You have all been amazing! In these trying times of COVID, it's so great to have something to enjoy and look forward to. So, thank you all so much!

And don't worry, this is only the end, for now. There are plenty of prompts and extras coming to keep the story going and… depending on Season 4 (PLEASE LET THERE BE A SEASON 4) we may continue Breath of Hope.

RK: Wow, yeah...I can't believe that lil' journal I posted on dA actually became this entire fanfic! I've actually learned a lot about editing and revising since the beginning, and it's kind of cool to see my improvements throughout the course of the chapters. :)

And yes, there are plenty of extras and prompts that can be found on my Wattpad account, as well as Story's Ao3 account. Many more are yet to come, and eventually, a lil' Pyrren story will be added too. Thank you all so much for sticking with us, and I hope you enjoyed. ^-^

(Also, BoH art will continue to be added here: /ddp0b5y )