Duman and Nebula clashed in a deadly dance, her attacks fueled by raw fury, each strike more relentless than the last. She moved with fierce determination, sending blasts of celestial energy crashing toward him. Duman dodged, his whip cracking through the air as he countered, but he was tiring under her unyielding onslaught. His smirk faded, his focus now entirely on survival as he deflected her attacks.
"Stop fighting like you matter!" Her irritation evident as she hurled blast after blast.
Duman barely ducked in time to avoid her next attack, his grip tightening on his bladed whip. Her words stung, but he masked it behind a smirk. "I'll have you know I've got two lovers to your zero, so clearly one of us matters more— than the —other," he taunted thrashing his whip toward her.
Nebula blocked with a swift, deflecting twist of her own magic, sending a pulse of energy rippling through the air. She advanced, her gaze cold and calculating, almost bored, as though she could end him whenever she pleased. "The Black Circle's pawn," she mocked. "Following Ogron like a lost child, desperate for scraps of power."
Duman's grin wavered, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes. But as he swung his weapon toward her, he missed the subtle glint of metal approaching from behind—another fairy, sword raised, closing in on his blind side.
Across the battlefield, Timmy saw the ambush unfolding, his heart pounding as he fought to break through the fairies in his path. "Duman! Behind you!" he yelled, his voice desperate, but the distance and noise of battle swallowed his warning.
At that moment, Gantlos, catching sight of the danger, felt his own protective rage surge. Ignoring his own fatigue, he bolted across the battlefield.
———————
Roxy's scream sliced through the chaos, a raw and anguished sound that echoed in the grand throne room as the heat from Morgana's magic washed over her. Ogron's heart lurched. "Roxy!" he shouted, instinct taking over as he lunged forward to protect the daughter he had long sought but only just found.
"Don't be foolish!" Morgana spat, her voice dripping with malice as she blasted him back with a wave of energy, forcing him to stumble.
Undeterred, Ogron surged forward again, this time harnessing his own magic to propel himself, the air crackling around him. He seized Morgana by the hair, yanking her down as Roxy collapsed to the floor, her breathing ragged as she fought to regain her composure.
The two wrestled fiercely, a tempest of magic and fury swirling around them. Morgana's eyes burned with hatred. "You can't beat me!" she taunted, managing to pin him down, her hands tightening around his throat, her magic coursing through him, overwhelming his senses.
"No!" Roxy cried, staggering toward the collision with every ounce of strength she could muster. But the energy in the room was suffocating, and her legs felt heavy as lead—
...
A piercing screech erupted from Morgana, reverberating through the chamber as Roxy stumbled back, clutching fragments of her mother's wings in her trembling hands.
"What have you done!? What have you done, you impudent brat!? You beastly child!" Morgana shrieked, her fury spilling over as she looked at Roxy with a mixture of rage and despair.
In that instant, Ogron scrambled to his feet, rage and sorrow fueling his actions. Taking advantage of Morgana's distraction, he delivered a swift punch, the force of his magical energy swirling violently around him. With a guttural roar, he unleashed a blast that obliterated Morgana's skull, her body crumpling to the ground.
Silence fell heavily in the wake of the cataclysmic moment, the air thick. Ogron stood there, his face contorted in a tumult of sorrow, rage, and disgust. Static rang in his ears—
Roxy's heaving breaths cut through the oppressive quiet, and he quickly rushed to her side, pulling her shocked eyes into his chest, desperate to shield her from the horrific sight.
As Roxy's sobs erupted, ragged and almost screaming, Ogron held her tightly, shushing her gently. "I'm sorry, Roxy," he whispered, stroking her hair as he swayed her in his embrace. His own tears fell, mingling with hers, a poignant mixture of grief and guilt. "I'm so sorry, my Roxy," heaviness etched into each apology, "I'm so sorry."
———-
Ogron rushed to ensure Roxy's safety, hiding her deep within the castle's library. But there was no time to linger—he had another mission, another child to protect. Duman. He turned toward the door, only to freeze as a figure emerged from the shadows, her energy both distant and fearfully powerful. She looked almost like a ghost, but unmistakably like—
"S-Stella?" he breathed.
Stella's gaze held no warmth, only a solemnity that seemed to pierce through him. She raised her hand, gesturing in the direction from which he'd come.
"I will protect them," she murmured. "You are needed."
With a soft creak, she opened the doors, and Ogron, shaken, forced himself back to reality. He turned and raced back to Roxy.
Meanwhile, Stella's spectral presence rippled through the castle like an icy wind. Fairies stumbled in their tracks, a feverish battle momentarily quieted by her eerie arrival. Aurora's gaze narrowed as she shook off the shock. She sprang forward, eyes blazing with defiance, ready to strike.
But Stella moved with calm precision, slowly drawing back her scythe, a whisper on her lips, barely audible over the silence.
"Final goodnight."
A flicker of terror crossed the faces of everyone watching as her magic surged, an unstoppable crescendo of energy arcing from her scythe. With a shattering finality, it cut through Aurora and the ranks of fairies behind her, cleaving them asunder. The castle grounds fell silent, every eye turning toward Stella, whose ghostly grace made her appear almost unreal.
She advanced steadily, her scythe lowered as she glided forward, defending herself only as necessary. Her gaze never wavered from Nebula, who now stood over Duman's battered frame. A standoff bloomed between them, thick with tension.
Nebula's voice was shaky as she attempted a threat. "I-I'll destroy you—All of you!"
But her words seemed to pass through Stella, meaningless in the growing quiet. Stella raised her scythe, her voice barely more than a breath. "You…" She plunged the blade into the earth, and the moon above flared blindingly bright, its light swallowing the battlefield. As it dimmed, Nebula stumbled back, her eyes widening as she took in the devastation: hundreds of fairies lay fallen, limp or dying, "...and what army?"
Stella's gaze fixed on the bloodstained sword near Nebula's feet. With one swift movement, she ended Nebula's life, her scythe cutting through with a finality that was almost graceful.
In the heavy silence that followed, Anagan, Bloom, and Flora hurried to their friends' sides, tending to the wounded with whatever strength they had left. Stella moved to Gantlos, her eyes softening as she knelt beside his body, pulling the sword from his chest. She held her hands over him, her glow intensifying until it was blinding, filling the night with silvery light. Gantlos stirred, then slowly stood, alive once more, saved by her hand.
Duman rushed to him as best he could, throwing his arms around Gantlos, pressing a desperate kiss to his lips. "I thought I'd lose you… I thought I'd lose you both."
Stella remained silent, watching them for a long moment. Then, as if waiting for a signal, she looked toward the castle. Ogron emerged, Roxy held close in his arms, her trembling frame drawn to him as they joined the others on the battlefield. Their steps slowed as they took in the carnage around them, the echoes of battle fading into an eerie calm.
Everyone's gaze eventually shifted to Stella, who looked almost ethereal, her form bathed in moonlight. Bloom's voice was tentative as she whispered, "I-it's over… you're okay."
"w-we won—We won..." Helia's breath was ragged, leaning on Anagan for support.
A sigh of relief escaped her, but Stella's face didn't change, her expression otherworldly.
"Nightlight…?" Duman reached for her, a hint of fear breaking through his voice.
"Stella?" Gantlos echoed, his hand reaching out to hers.
Stella's hands were cold as she clasped theirs, her touch soft but distant. She leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Gantlos's lips, then to Duman's, her gaze warm yet bittersweet.
As she drew back, her body began to shimmer, her outline blurring, mist curling from her form. She hovered just above the ground, her face serene.
"For skies so dark, in night's embrace I will wait. Though distant i dont rest far away… We've won this fight. Rest easy now. I love you both. Sweet dreams tonight."
With those final words, her form dissipated, fading like mist into the night. The moon above shone brighter, casting a silvery glow across the silent battlefield. Stella had embraced her moonlight, her presence lingering, her love eternal.
The group stood in solidarity, Gantlos on his knees, Duman holding him close.
The night felt warmer, and her moon shone brighter.