Bane could sense some tension nearby. He might have been in a state of unconsciousness but he could still feel things around him, especially Celtic's presence. He wanted to be free from this darkness, but trusted that Celtic was doing all she could to make that happen. Suddenly he felt something soft against his lips and then something warm flow through his mouth and down his throat. It took him a few minutes to understand what this was, but it was a familiar sensation none the less. He opened his eyes for the first time in days and saw Celtic's face above his. She was crying.
"Tears?" His voice was hoarse and Celtic didn't seem to hear him. He sat up and held her face in his hands to wipe away the tears. The moment she opened her eyes and saw that he was awake, she buried herself in his chest. All he could do was hold her. They stood up, completely unaware of what was going on around them. It wasn't until Celtic introduced him to those around them, that he realized they weren't alone. His eyes landed on Justin.
"Hi, Bane." Justin took a step back. "I'm still dead." He explained something about crystals but Bane really wasn't paying much attention to him.
"What's this?" Bane asked when Celtic handed him a baby Blue Moon dragon.
"Your Blue Moon dragon, she's been waiting for you." Celtic smiled at him.
"Oh." Bane looked at the baby dragon and then at Celtic. "This has made me realize something."
"Oh?" Celtic wasn't sure what he was going to say.
"I don't want to go another day without seeing you." He pulled her into him and kissed the top of her head.
"Like I said, I never stood a chance." Justin teased. Bane pulled Celtic in a little tighter and looked at Justin.
"You don't… and you never will… even if you were alive." Bane replied.
The group rested for the night after deciding to head back to the Main Island in the morning. Bane was happy to be awake and alive. Before they left, Astraeus and Eos handed them five baby dragons. Celtic assumed they were for the new Generals.
"Celty!" Heat smiled as they entered the main hall.
"It's good to see you on your feet again, Bane." Nate was so happy to see his friend was alive. He knew Celtic would succeed in her mission. There was no way she would have given up trying to save Bane. Everyone was introduced to the new Generals and the baby dragons that Astraeus and Eos had given them were handed over to their owners. Celtic gave Robo a couple special eggs and a special crystal to allow new, unique habitats to be built.
"I still don't see why Heat is here…" Andy muttered.
"It's a good thing he is here." Celtic replied and then explained how Heat was the Master General. The explanation led into the weight of everything that was happening.
"…" Nate looked at Bane. He was worried about the expression on his friend's face.
"An end is coming." Celtic said solemnly.
"We either stop the Silence and ultimately wars along with it or…" Grim thought aloud.
"We start a war that will never end and any peace will be shattered." Adriano finished.
Simen questioned how Celtic knew all of this. She placed a baby Sonnet on the table and Bane then placed a small Window of Reverie in the middle of the table.
"I wish you wouldn't…" Bane whispered in her ear. He knew the visions all too well and the effect they had on her.
"What's going on?" Frost looked between Celtic and Bane. He had an unsettling feeling. Celtic concentrated and with the help of Sonnet, everyone had witnessed the visions Celtic had been having. Master Argyos came in and helped explain a few of the unique abilities of the Dream and Blue Moon dragons. After a while, Nate decided it was time for everyone to get some sleep, but no one actually headed to their rooms. He watched Bane follow Celtic out onto the balcony.
"Celtic, what's wrong?" Bane had sensed something was off and followed her onto the balcony.
"I'm sorry." She faced him but didn't look at him.
"For what?" He was confused. Panic started to set in.
"I can't do this." She placed the engagement ring in his hand. Bane grabbed her wrist before she could leave.
"Explain. I don't understand." He said as he pulled her close and lifted her chin so she had to look at him.
"Please, don't make this harder." She said through the tears; he refused to let her go.
"Why?" He pleaded. He could feel his heart breaking.
"I can't do this to you." She took a shaky breath. He knew as well as she did that there was a good chance she could die.
"Please tell me how being apart is easier?" He choked the tears back.
"I'm sorry." She started to pull away again but he pushed her back against the wall, catching her off guard.
"I won't let you go until you give me a truthful answer." He placed his hands on either side of her.
"You should find someone else… someone who won't die trying to save the world." She looked into his eyes and he could see the pain there. It mirrored his own.
"I'm not agreeing to this." He shook his head and slid the ring back on her finger. "I refuse." He released her but she didn't move.
"You are a stubborn one, Archer." He saw her resolve fade.
"When it comes to you, you better believe it." He smiled. "Don't ever do that to me again, okay?"
"Okay." She smiled. He pulled her into him. He was just about to kiss her, but someone interrupted them.
"What do you want, Justin?" Bane turned and glared at him. Something was off though. Before he knew it, everyone was outside with them. He wasn't sure if the balcony would hold everyone but it seemed to. Celtic stood up to Blue. She was, once again, trying to protect him, but he kept her close this time. He supported her as she used the Elements to banish Blue once and for all. After Blue disappeared he felt Celtic collapse against him.
"I'm fine…" He barely heard her.
"You are not fine." He supported her. Nate looked really concerned.
"She used all ten elements." Nate said. He knew what Bane and Celtic knew: she may not walk away from this.
Bane watched Celtic and Justin say good bye. A little jealousy bubbled up as Justin kissed her on the cheek, but he let it slide. Justin was dead after all.
"I never stood a chance. Take care of her. You'll never find another one like her." Justin held out his hand. Bane was hesitant to shake it, but he did. He had to thank him for protecting Celtic when he couldn't and being there with her, helping her to cure him.
"Celtic?" Bane pulled her to him. "Are you okay?"
"I will be." She smiled. He kissed her cheek. "Wiping away his touch?"
"Maybe." He smiled and then kissed her. They could hear the moans of disgust from the crowd around them.
Over the next few days, they rested and trained; preparing for the biggest battle of their lives thus far. They were sitting in the main gathering room talking amongst themselves when Eddie showed up. He tried to attack Celtic but Bane made sure to keep an eye on her regardless of what Eddie was doing. He was able to protect her. Nate was right there with him. The two of them were protecting Celtic while the others deflected other attacks. Bane continued to neutralize the attacks aimed at Celtic, he was getting annoyed. Eddie pulled out some sort of weapon and Rain and Awesome seemed to recognize it. Eddie underestimated all of them. Eddie sent a huge blast at Celtic.
"I warned you!" Bane readied his bow. An arrow cycling through all ten elements flew through the air, neutralizing the energy before hitting Eddie. "I keep my promises." He said as Eddie collapsed to the floor. Bane stood with shoulders erect; he had no problem killing someone who was threatening Celtic. After Eddie took his last breath, the focus turned to destroying that weapon. Awesome and Rain explained the history of the weapon as it had originated on the Island of Light and Dark. It was revealed that Awesome's father was the leader of the Light Clan and Rain's father was the leader of the Dark Clan.
"…" Celtic suddenly sat down.
"Celtic?" Bane knelt beside her. "What's wrong?"
"I…" She placed her forehead against his and he saw what she saw.
"Oh." Bane pulled back and then held her against his chest when the images faded. Everyone was on edge. Sonnet rushed over to Celtic and made it so the rest could also see the images she and Bane had seen.
"That is our future if we don't stop the Silence." Celtic said. "Everyone and everything we know… gone."
A few weeks passed since Eddie's attack. Everyone stayed on the Main Island to continue to train; they wanted to be ready for whatever came. Bane and Celtic decided to get married before facing the Silence. They decided they couldn't wait; they couldn't risk not getting married in case Celtic did die. Bane didn't like to think about that outcome, but knew he needed to prepare himself for it. Bane was completely thrilled by Celtic's agreement to get married sooner rather than later. Nate stood in the main gathering room with Rain and Awesome, watching the exchange between his two friends. He knew what was happening and he smiled. He was happy to know that Bane and Celtic could find happiness regardless of what was happening. Rain asked Nate about the other day, when Celtic used all ten elements. That question led to everyone knowing that Celtic could die from channeling all ten elements at once for an extended period of time. Bane and Celtic broke the news of the wedding and there was only one objection. Andy wasn't thrilled with the idea and he was very vocal about it. There was no talking them out of it. Eos and Astraeus made an appearance at the wedding and they were the ones to officiate it. After a joyous wedding ceremony, Ember made his move. Everyone headed to their respective islands, as directed by Astraeus. Bane, Celtic, and Nate remained on the Main Island. Bane kept alert to any attacks that might come, but mainly he supported his wife as she began to channel the ten elements.
"Celtic, hang in there. You are strong enough." He did not waiver in his support. As soon as he realized the crystal had been destroyed he turned his attention to Celtic. He managed to catch her before she hit the ground.
"Hi…" She was weak. "Never forget… that I…" Her breathing was ragged. "I will always be with you… I love you so much…" Her eyes drifted close. Bane's heart broke and he held her lifeless body. He buried his face in her hair. He didn't even noticed when the woman with Ember stepped in front of them protecting them from Ember. He only noticed when she killed Ember. After asking her why, he turned his attention back to his wife.
Nate had watched the scene unfold. He had been keeping an eye on any attack that would befall either Celtic or Bane, but he did not interfere with anything else. He watched as Celtic fell into her husband's arms and watch with agony at Bane's reaction. He knew there was a good chance Celtic had died saving the world. They knew that was likely, but he didn't want to believe it would happen. Not after everything they had already been through. He laid a hand on Bane's shoulder as everyone gathered around them. Their smiles faded as they noticed Celtic's lifeless body. Heat collapsed to his knees and it was all Nate could do to stand.
"Come, we must head to the Island of Light and Dark." Astraeus and Eos joined them. Bane carried Celtic with him on Arbor. Claddaugh was not far behind. There was something going on in the town square when they landed. Ellie, Awesome, and Rain were trying to convince the Clans to stop the unnecessary feuding.
"What do we do now?" Wolfie asked. Everyone was starting to believe the Celtic was really dead.
"We go on. We live our lives the way we were meant to. We find happiness. We make sure her sacrifice was not in vain." Nate answered. He wanted there to be some hope left; some miracle that would happen, but he, too, was losing all hope.
"Interesting…" Nyx, the Dark Rift dragon spoke up. Bane was starting to lose all hope too, but if the dragons knew something then he would certainly listen.
"What?" Adriano asked when nobody else would.
"Guardian, close your eyes. Listen to what the elements are telling you." Nyx looked at Bane. He did as he was told. He concentrated even more and began to feel the elements stronger and stronger. His eyes shot open and he looked between the dragon and his wife. "She's still alive." He didn't want to let himself hope too much, but he could feel that Celtic was still alive. Nyx explained how they could awaken the Enchantress, breaking the Silence once and for all, but that there needed to be an atmosphere of peace and goodness. Rain and Awesome pleaded with their fathers again, but it wasn't until Sonnet and Irish showed the two Clans what Celtic had done that they agreed to end the feuding that had been going on for generations. The Mistresses and Generals formed a circle around Bane and Celtic. Nate could only stand by and watched. He was kneeling inside the circle, but remained close to the edge.
"Bane, trust me, you're the one she wants." Nate spoke up after hearing Bane start to doubt himself and the relationship with his wife. "You always have been and you always will be the only one she wants."
"Okay." Bane said. He thought for a moment as he looked at his wife. He traced the scar around her eye; remembering everything that they had been through together and how their relationship developed over time. He could feel the elements move inside of him as the Generals and Mistresses channeled them. As Ellie finished with her two elements, Bane kissed Celtic. He felt the elements move through him and into Celtic. He only pulled away when he felt that they had fully entered her. He waited with baited breath as the elements did what they needed to do. He still would not let himself hope too much.
"Were we too late?" Grim asked. Nyx had mentioned that if Celtic remained in that state for too long, it would be harder to wake her.
"It's my fault." Bane said through a choked voice. "I'm not…"
"If you say anything about not being my true love, Archer…" Celtic looked up at him.
"…" Bane was too shocked to speak at first. "Celtic?" He choked out.
"Hi." She held his face in her hands. "Bane…" She kissed him and then wrapped her arms around his neck. He held her tight.
Everything was right in the world as far as Nate was concerned. Celtic and Bane were together again, all threats had ceased, the Islands were coming together as one united Kingdom, and he got to home. He knew that he would be traveling quite a bit, but he was okay with that as long as it had nothing to do with war and fighting. Trying to get Celtic to slow down and rest was going to be a real challenge though. She was the Kingdom's leader, but she had decided that each Mistress would lead their own Islands and only bring big concerns to her attention. They would only come together on official business when something major came up. Celtic did establish general, Kingdom-wide laws, but each Island was still able to govern themselves. Trade between the Islands increased and the Kingdom began to flourish even a few days after the Silence was defeated.