Lyal

moon was ghostly over the battlefield. I stood among the rubble, my head whirling to sort through the anarchy that had de

concern. Though the Council had been compelled to withdraw, the triumph felt hollow. Al

oyance and will. "We have to work out Alaric's inten

Alaric's plan had revolved heavily on the dark figure, hence his

concern. "We must solve the actual meaning of the prophecy.

the whole scope of the prophecy. More is in

illusive, my insight had shown flashes of the future. The actual meaning of the pr

. From the shadows stepped Elara, her face solemn. "I came upon someth

ll of hope. "What

. "This includes historic writings on the pr

and images looked known. Acknowledgement swept over me as I started to read. The book covered the beginnings of th

nion spanning conventional limitations will help to restore the equilib

ecy is about bringing the wolves t

l. It also refers to a secret betrayal-a threat from

d those plans of Alaric could

ly a diversion, a smokescreen covering a more subtle, more dangerous menace

ric, appearing more messy than before, emerging from the sh

ric spoke in a strained voice. You

. "Alaric, you're done. Enough dev

own up. Still to show themselves is the actual

ove us, the guardian spirit started to glow brilliantly. Its presence seemed to

cold. "Could the betrayal be conne

hecy referred to a traitor, someone who would exploit th

ark figure hiding at the brink of the cliffs. The man entered the light a

exclaimed, my voice quivering with incredulity

ful than I would have credited you for. You are too late, though. Wh

You have brought enough sufferin

undervalue the force I carry. My realm is t

ion grew more intense. Kieran's aura seemed to collide with the

esult of this fight would decide the fate of the prophecy, the triplets and I battled w

ved as a reminder of the more sinister, deeper powers in action. My insight helped

, opening Kieran's defenses a brief vulnerable window. Driven by a sudden will, I

the guardian spirit seemed to surround him and entwine with my own

ying, "This isn't over." "The true

knowledge combined with a last surge of vitality. His sha

t settled and the war ended. Standing together, the triplets and I inhaled

anks and worry in his eyes. "Amara, you w

gh it together." Still, much more has to be discovered. The

r united front will help us to face whatever comes

the promise of a fresh start hung palpably. The fulfillment of the prop

treachery became public. As we negotiated the complexity of our entwined destinie

g the actual meaning of the prophecy and guiding us toward harmony and balance. T