Chapter 9 - The Fall of the Traitors
High above on the balcony of the Royal Keep, King Alden—weak, but leaning heavily on Master Doran’s shoulder—stepped into the sunlight, wearing his golden crown.
"Stand down!" King Alden’s voice, restored by the healing magic of the cleansed Core, thundered across the valley. "The traitors Vane and Malakor have been stripped of their titles and placed in chains! The High Council is dissolved!"
The entire city burst into tears of joy and thunderous applause. Banners were torn down and thrown into the streets as citizens embraced one another, weeping with relief.
Down in the plaza, the remaining corrupt soldiers surrendered their arms without firing another shot. The siege was over. The dark reign of the High Council had collapsed in a single morning.
Aurelia turned to Kael, tears glistening in her golden eyes. She threw her arms around the skinny, barefoot boy who had changed the fate of an entire empire.
"You did it," she whispered into his shoulder. "You saved us all."
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Kael hugged her back, feeling the quiet, peaceful pulse of the mountain returning to its natural rhythm beneath their feet. The dry, painful scream of the earth was gone, replaced by a warm, nourishing vibration that spread outward into the surrounding farmlands, reviving withered crops and blossoming flowers in real-time.
"We did it," Kael corrected softly, looking up at the clear blue sky.
