Title: Blood and Peace
The grand hall echoed with chaos. Screams, steel clashes, and the crackle of fire painted a brutal scene. The Black Eagle crew fought with unwavering rage. Bodies of royal guards lay scattered—some groaning in pain, others lifeless. Yet Rook's eyes burned with fury.
He didn't stop.
His boots crushed the blood-soaked marble as he marched forward.
"Get out of my way!" he roared, voice echoing against the tall walls. "Every last one of them dies for what they did!"
But then—
"Enough!" a voice thundered above the bloodshed.
Everyone froze.
It was the real king.
Unchained, standing tall half-broken, King Adam stepped forward from the shadows of the the back side of black eagle crew.
"Young man," he said, his voice calm but commanding, "they are innocent. The only traitor of Overwild... is my brother."
Rook's blade shook in his grip, still slick with blood. He turned, nostrils flaring. "Then I will kill him."
And he began walking toward the king's brother, eyes filled with vengeance.
King Adam stepped between them.
"No," he said firmly, planting his sword into the ground. "You stay here. This is the matter of my kingdom. Take your crew, take what you need, and leave in peace."
Rook clenched his jaw. Just then—
A glint of steel.
The king's brother lunged from behind, dagger raised.
"ADAM!" Aria screamed.
But before anyone could move, a sharp whistle cut through the air.
Thwip.
A single arrow soared from the far balcony—shot by Lyra.
It struck the traitor clean through the chest.
Straight through his heart.
The silence that followed was deafening.
The dagger clattered from his hand, his body slumped to the floor.
Lyra's bow lowered. Her eyes didn't blink.
Gasps rippled through the hall.
Then, slowly, the guards dropped their weapons.
One after another, the nobles and knights knelt.
"The one who led us to ruin… was not our king," a senior knight said. "Forgive us, Your Majesty."
King Adam nodded solemnly. "Stand. There is much to rebuild."
Near the wall, Tyson stirred.
He groaned and tried to sit up, his wounds still fresh but healing fast.
"Look who's finally awake," Rook muttered with a smirk. "Good. We've got to get out of here."
Tyson sat up, dazed. "What… happened?"
"You missed the show," Aria said with a soft smile. "But you're alive. That's what matters."
King Adam turned to them. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "Had you not come, I might've died in that prison cell. You've saved a kingdom today."
Rook crossed his arms. "We didn't come for crowns and praises."
"I know," the King replied. "But you've earned more than just thanks. Take whatever supplies you need—food, water, medicine. My kingdom owes you that much."
For the first time in days, a flicker of relief touched the crew's faces.
Aria laughed, brushing her hair back. "Finally. Peace."
"And food!" Elyra added with joy. "Actual food! No more hunting rats or boiling roots."
Dr. Elish chuckled. "Clean water too. My gods… it's been too long."
Tyson, still leaning on Aria's arm, smiled softly. "We have everything now... even hope."
"And we're getting closer to Serpent Grief," Aria beamed. "We're going to break this curse, I know it."
"How long will it take?" Tyson asked, suddenly more energized than before.
"Don't get too excited," Rook grunted. "We still have three weeks of rough travel ahead."
Tyson laughed—actually laughed for the first time in days.
Dr. Elish stared at him in surprise.
"Tyson…" she said gently, "you look so good when you smile. I hope Zara heals soon, and that both of you get to smile like this forever."
Tyson lowered his gaze and nodded, heart heavy but hopeful. "Thanks. I hope so too."
They spent the rest of the day gathering a month's worth of food, water, herbs, and restocking their weapons.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the Black Eagle crew stood once more at the palace gates, ready to leave.
King Adam placed a hand on Tyson's shoulder. "May the winds guide your journey. Overwild owes you a debt it can never repay."
"Take care of your people," Tyson replied. "They need you."
With one final bow, they turned and walked away—toward the next chapter of their curse-bound quest.
Their spirits weren't light, but they were no longer broken.
A new dawn was waiting.