Rapunzel was screaming, Quirin was on the move, and Yaeger's crossbow discharged. Varian was reaching for the Moonstone, hand outstretched to the burning stone. Blue light burst like a flood across his skin as he embraced its power, and his bow fell from his hand as he struggled to contain it. He only wished to hold it, to keep it safe, and the Moonstone responded to his wish in a way he hadn't thought possible. It seemed to gel in his clutches, seeping into his skin, and the magic shot through his veins, soaking into his bones, nestling comfortably inside his beating heart. The sensation completely paralyzed him, unable to breathe, his scalp on fire as he helplessly watched Yaeger's bolt tip streak towards Lyra's back.

At the same time, a strand of red light burst through the air, wrapping itself around Lyra's flaming wrist. The king's hairs were left singed as Lyra was whipped violently backwards, sparing her from Yaeger's killing blow. The crossbow bolt imbedded itself into the king's throne, just to the left of his shoulder.

Everyone froze, like figures in a painting. The tears had halted on Rapunzel's cheeks, Eugene's face was a mask of horror, and Martin was in mid-vault over the benches, ready to defend Varian from the witch. Lyra was in a heap on the floor, caught completely off-guard by the red strand. They watched as she looked up through her red hair, and Varian followed the stare across the hall.

Standing in the doorway was a young woman with blazing hair, her ratted dress a stream of fiery ribbons. Her arms and feet were bare, her face almost serene, her right eye hot and burning as she started to move forward, the red strand taut in her trembling hands.

"Mother," she said, tightening her grip. "Please, let them go."

Lyra gawked almost comically at her, eyes slowly shifting back to their normal red and orange. "Shay?" was all she could say.

"Mam," Shay paused, her eyes turning normal as she stared at the five undead before her. "Please. Let them go."

The Crimson Caster was like a block of ice, unmoving and rigid. "How?" she asked, addressing her daughter.

"It doesn't matter," Shay answered. "What matters is that you stop this before someone gets hurt."

Lyra's face twisted, and her fists clenched. "I will not be denied justice," she ground out.

"Mam," Shay shook her head, wincing as the undead slowly parted for her. "You know this is wrong. The mother who raised me would never condone this. You have to stop, now."

Lyra was almost foaming at the mouth, rage spilling in rolls of fire off her shoulders. "Your father is dead because of him," she seethed.

"Papa is dead," Shay spoke through trembling lips, "because he challenged Caius to a duel. There was a fight, and Caius won."

"Lies!" Lyra shrieked. "He left his brother to die in the dust!"

"He left because he couldn't face his mistake," Shay protested. "He's lived with the shame of it ever since."

"No," the Crimson Caster hissed.

"Mam," Shay answered, tears entering her voice. "I know now. The Sisters have told you for years. You can't bring him back."

"ENOUGH!" Lyra roared. In an instant, she was on her feet, and the entire hall surged with flames. She wrenched at the red strand with her free hand, and Shay wrenched back, snapping the spell apart in a flourish of angry sparks. The banners framing the hall caught ablaze, Corona's emblem igniting as the gossamer fabric was consumed.

Rapunzel was at the forefront, arms spread wide. She focused all her will, all her energy as she chanted, and her entire frame burst into light as she summoned a protective wall of magic around them, shielding them from the flames. "Don't!" she cried out as Quirin used Spellbane to slice his way free, dashing through the Sundrop's spell and out into the fiery air.

A pulse of blue banished a swathe of flame as Varian appeared, covered in liquid obsidian, eyes burning with moonlight as he struggled to make his way through the inferno. Shay had made her way to the throne, arms outstretched, staving off the raging conflagration as she protected the catatonic king. She was repeating a chant, and the flames obeyed her like obedient dogs, shying away in a sphere of orange and red.

"Shay!" Varian cried.

Shay seemed startled at the sound of her own name, and she stared at him in surprise. "You…you remember?" she gasped over the sound of the roaring flames.

Varian nodded, smiling despite the chaos around them. "Yeah. I do."

Shay smiled back, tears evaporating from her eyes. Her gaze darted to something behind him, and she cried out in fear. "No!" she shouted over the din, and Varian whirled about to see his father fast approaching, Spellbane raised to strike Lyra down from her mindless rage.

"Dad, stop!" Varian rushed to him, crossing in front of Lyra before the blow landed.

Quirin pulled back just in time, anger crossing his flushed face. "Stand aside, Varian! This has to end, she won't stop otherwise!"

Varian produced the metal hourglass and held it out in his hands, brandishing it urgently. "I promised that no one would die today," he begged. "Please, I need you to trust me!"

Every paternal instinct in Quirin's body made him hesitate, but he eventually shifted his weight; sword still ready, but waiting on Varian's word. "One chance, son!" he told him. "Or we'll all pay the price!"

Varian returned to Shay's side, holding out the device for her to see. "I think you were right before," he told her. "If my theory is correct, I can try the same thing! We can use this to stop your mom!"

Shay's arms remained steady, magic gushing from her fingertips. "Then do it!" She pleaded.

"I don't know if it will work," he disclaimed.

"If I end what she's doing, the rebound will kill us all!" Her eyes were clear and watery with hope. "You're the only one who can stop this now!"

Against the rolling waves of heat, oxygen running low, Varian struggled to Lyra's side, the Moonstone's power shielding his skin from being charred to a crisp. The Crimson Caster was completely engulfed in flames, years of fury and helplessness venting from her slender form. He could feel it in the air, like a rubber band ready to snap; only Shay's willpower was keeping the entire castle from exploding. Varian grimaced as he braced himself, twisting one end of the hourglass clockwise.

"Please, Demanitus," he prayed, then thrust the flat of the device to the small of Lyra's back.

Time seemed to freeze, the air filled with dancing, wild light. Then there was a great boom that nearly shattered Varian's teeth, and he fought to keep his footing as the magic coursing through Lyra's veins began pouring into the hourglass, filling the unsealed half in a blinding flash of red and white. Closing his eyes, Varian held his breath, standing his ground as the magic coursing into the hourglass threatened to break free. Shay was at his side, hands over his, adding her strength as Demanitus' device grew red-hot in his grip.

Then Lyra collapsed, and the flames died.

Rapunzel dropped her spell, arms falling limply to her sides. Cassandra caught her arm, bracing her before she could fall. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Rapunzel waved a wobbly hand. "Peachy."

Quirin kept Spellbane at the ready as he slowly approached Lyra's crumpled form. He winced at the sight of the circular brand in her back, runes burned deep into her skin. "What did you do, son?"

Varian, still channeling the Moonstone, twisted the hourglass with shaking fingers. The magic within was compressing, shifting and swirling into a glowing, crystal fragment. "The Seventh Star of Pleiades," he awed at it, his voice low and hoarse. He was certain now: all those years ago, when she had used the Incantation of the Seven Sisters, it had given her more than knowledge. She had claimed the source binding Pleiades together…adding her and her daughter to the chain.

"Mam," Shay croaked, falling to her knees. Her hair was black again, her magic muted as she crawled to her mother, shifting her on her side as she searched for her face. "Mam, it's me. Can you hear me?"

Lyra's eyes were open, her breathing shaky with sorrow. Tears streamed down her nose, soaking the carpet under her cheek. "Cain," she whispered. "My Cain."

"I know, Mam," Shay wept, gathering her mother with trembling arms. "I miss him, too."

Varian watched the mournful scene, sympathy wetting his eyelashes. He looked up at the others, catching Rapunzel's trepid gaze. "Is everyone alright?"

Rapunzel nodded. "Yes, Varian. We're alright."

Varian mirrored the nod before looking back down at the device, staring at the red crystal within. Looking down at Shay, he knew she held the rest. Shay sensed his gaze and looked up at him, her eyes red in more ways than one.

"Here, Shay," Quirin approached. "Let's take care of your mother."

"No, wait, please!" Shay held her mother close, her breath catching as she started to panic. "Let me take care of her, I beg you!"

Quirin sheathed Spellbane and reached down to place a hand on Shay's head. "Darling," he told her, "I won't hurt your mother. I promise." Shay continued to weep as she reluctantly let Quirin take Lyra into his arms, hauling her gingerly off the ground. "Take the king to his quarters," he ordered Yaeger and Martin, who acknowledged his authority without argument. "Make sure he isn't left alone."

"I'll go with you," Rapunzel insisted, rushing from the benches to reach her father. "I need to see if…if I can heal him."

"I don't know if you can, Sunshine," Eugene warned her softly. "From the sound of it, this was a long time coming."

"I'll see to it that the royal advisor arranges a proper council to address this…matter." Quirin sighed regretfully, then looked to Shay, his expression softening. "I assume the others will be waking soon."

Shay nodded, dazed. "Yes."

Varian reached for her, tugging her to her feet. "We need to take care of the undead."

Shay nodded. She took a deep, hitching breath and extended her free hand, her hair reigniting as she spoke a spell through wavering lips. Varian concentrated, adding control to the spell and he felt it branch out in sweeping arcs, emanating in waves towards the unseen horizon.

"Sheesh," Martin observed as the five undead in the hall slowly crumbled into dust on the floor. "I hope we won't be breathing too much of that."

"Shay," Varian tried again as she finished and swayed dangerously, catching her with his free hand. She leaned into him, holding on as her knees threatened to buckle. "We'll take you with your mom, you need to rest."

Shay nodded, her expression pinched with pain.

"How did you do it?" Varian asked. "How did you escape?"

"Oh, you know," Shay's voice was laced with lethargic levity. "I talked to a necromancer and…said the magic words."

"Oh," Varian said lightly. "Alright, then." He held her tighter as she swayed again. "You know, you really had me worried, there."

"I'm sorry," Shay slurred. "I know you talk to, wanted…to talk."

"Yep," Varian nodded patiently. "We can do that later."

"Here, Varian," Cassandra was at his side, hands extended. "I'll take the device."

Varian eyed her suspiciously. "How do I know you won't just run off with it? There's Celestial-grade magic in this thing."

Cassandra's eye contact was scalding. "I've already messed with enough Celestial magic to last me a lifetime. The last thing I want is to try and tamper with this thing." She pursed her full lips. "Besides, I'm sure you'd stop me if I tried anything."

Frowning, Varian eventually conceded and carefully handed the device to her. She held it cautiously and wrapped it in the folds of her cloak. "This doesn't change anything," Varian muttered.

"Of course not," Cassandra agreed. "But for what it's worth…you did good, Varian."

Varian couldn't help it; he enjoyed the praise. "Yeah, well," he sniffed bashfully. "I had help."

Cassandra shrugged, gazing around the charred judgment hall. "So, what happens next?"

"Next," Varian sighed, "we wait for the world to wake up."

The next month felt like a year as everyone in the castle set to work, the guards assuming their posts and performing the arduous task of making sure everyone was accounted for. Varian ensured that the Hourglass of Undoing was kept under lock and key, and to convince Yaeger of his goodwill, he offered the Moonstone to be secured as well. Yaeger, however, shook his head, insisting that the Moonstone was arguably safest in Varian's possession. It was risky enough, having a fragment of Pleiades' power locked away, and he didn't want to add further value to the vault.

"Besides," the lieutenant said, "the Moonstone falls under Lunarian legislation…which, I suppose, your father is a part of. If he says you're the best steward at the moment for the hunk of witch-rock, I won't argue with him, though I'm sure King Edmund himself will be investigating the matter."

It was eventually concluded that, while Lyra had made blatant threats and caused a degree of trauma with her desperate acts, the only person she had ultimately harmed was Caius, and as the days passed, her magic didn't return. Despite her act of treason and dubious display of sorcery, Rapunzel decreed that Lyra be spared, with the caveat that once she had recovered, she would no longer be allowed to cross the capitol bridge. It was a markedly lenient verdict that her hastily-gathered council had mixed opinions of, with Nigel being the most vocal against the decision. Quirin, however, made a strong argument in Lyra's favor, and as the most respected member of the new council, few had the lack of heart to disagree. Regardless, Rapunzel's word was final: Lyra's cabin was hers to keep and do with as she wished, but she was to set foot nowhere near the castle ever again. To her credit, Lyra accepted the judgment without complaint, and she even offered the princess an official apology.

"I knew the consequence," she agreed, "and I accept it without regret…but you should remember your father for loving you."

"I will," Rapunzel told her. "But you made your point clear. I won't ignore what he's done."

True to her word, a similar hearing was conducted for King Frederick once he was more about his wits - this time with his wife present – to determine the fate of Corona's great monarch. Despite (or perhaps in spite of) the overwhelming evidence against him, Frederick continued to deny the mage hunt, but by the time the hearing was over, he made an announcement that decided his fate for him: Rapunzel was to take his place, effective immediately, as the rightful ruler of Corona. A public ceremony was held to commemorate the official coronation, with Rapunzel accepting the crown graciously before the people. She was sober but joyful, celebrating her father's legacy and promising a new age of peace and prosperity. The king was to retire to the countryside with his wife, at an undisclosed location known only by Rapunzel and Yaeger, where they would be closely guarded and live in all the comfort as to befit royalty. The queen-mother would visit regularly, but briefly, to offer her daughter support and guidance.

When the celebration was over, the newly-stated queen commenced with her first official act: to pardon Varian Quirinson of his crimes against the crown. Surprisingly, despite Quirin's exclusion from the deliberation, her new council had little dispute against the decision. More bitterly, Rapunzel honored her father's final ruling as king and passed the decree of exile on Cassandra Gothelsdaughter. It was with a heavy heart that the young queen did so, but Cassandra was both understanding and grateful.

"It's alright, Rapunzel," she assured her old friend. "I'm actually okay being forced to go on vacation from this place. There's a lot out there to explore, and…it's going to give me more room to grow."

"You know," Rapunzel mentioned off-handedly. "There's a little fine print at the end of the decree that I may or may not have added…something about concluding your exile in ten years?"

Cassandra's eyes creased, but her smile was warm. "That's a long time…but it's not forever." The next day, she was seen off by Rapunzel and all the companions she'd once traveled with, wishing her well and experiencing varying levels of grief and tears. Varian also attended her farewell, and they exchanged a few private words that remained unheard before she mounted Fidella and departed for the eastern horizon.

After crying for the rest of the evening, Rapunzel then commissioned Captain Yaeger to record the full and uncensored truth of the mage hunt, gathering all the testimonies he could find and compiling them in a single, long document. When he was finished, Rapunzel gathered her council and introduced them to the entire account, instructing them firmly to check her throughout her reign, to ensure a second mage hunt would never occur.

Notably, the council took a long time to deliberate matter. When they returned, Rapunzel saw concerned expressions that reflected her own. "We have no wish to condone any of the history contained here, my queen," they told her. "But while the king's methods were deplorable, it does raise a legitimate concern. There may come a day when another magic user threatens this kingdom. To what end, then, do we prevent that possibility?"

Rapunzel smiled softly. "I have a solution," she answered. "And it's actually present in our kingdom's history." She blew the dust off an old volume from the castle's archives, opening to a bookmarked page as she explained. "Long ago, in the early days of Corona, magic was a welcome institution among the people. As the presence of magic had grown, the early kings had selected from among their citizens the most powerful mage and offered them a place in their court." She looked at each of her council members, conveying her sincerity. "During those years, with a court mage in place, not a single crime reported was caused by magic. The correlation can't be coincidental."

The council agreed, but they faltered once more as they realized they had no nominations to offer. "Even if we knew of someone," they admitted, "the damage caused by the king is nearly irreparable. They might not even accept the role."

"Maybe," Rapunzel agreed. "But I know someone that I'm confident will accept the title." She raised a finger. "In fact, I have two names, but one of them is for a different role in my court."

"Which role might that be, your Majesty?"

Rapunzel glanced at Quirin and flashed him a wink. "Court Alchemist, of course."