Falkor landed heavily beside Layla and the others, his eyes filled with urgency. "We can't continue this fight much longer," he said, his voice resonating with the gravity of the situation. "The damage to the city will be catastrophic if we let this dragon rampage any further. The only way to stop it is to seal it."

The group exchanged worried glances. Rodric stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "A sealing spell of this magnitude requires immense endurance and magic. None of us alone can sustain it."

Falkor nodded grimly. "We'll have to combine our magic to cast it, but that also means we need a focal point, a conduit for the spell. It will be dangerous."

Layla's gaze was steady. "I'll do it. I'll be the epicenter."

The others immediately protested. Rodric's eyes widened. "Layla, the strain of channeling all that magic through you could have severe consequences. You might not survive."

Mary clutched Layla's arm. "You've already sacrificed so much. Let us find another way."

Even Luna, despite her usual stoic demeanor, appeared hesitant. She lowered her head, her reluctance clear. "This magic is too dangerous, Layla. I can't let you do this."

Layla took a deep breath, steeling herself. "There's no time for alternatives. If we don't act now, more lives will be lost. I've made my choice."

Rodric sighed heavily, his face etched with sorrow. "You're braver than most, Layla. But this... this is beyond bravery."

"I trust all of you," Layla said firmly. "I know you'll do everything in your power to keep me safe. But we must do this, together."

Falkor inclined his massive head. "If this is the only way, then we'll see it through. But Layla, know that we will do everything to minimize the burden on you."

Rodric, though filled with regret, nodded as well. "We'll be as gentle as possible, but you must brace yourself. This will not be easy."

Layla turned to Luna, her eyes softening. "Luna, please. I need you to trust me. I need your strength."

The dragon hesitated, her fierce gaze meeting Layla's. After a long moment, she let out a low growl of acceptance. "I will do as you ask, but know that this goes against everything I feel."

"Thank you," Layla whispered.

The group formed a circle around Layla, Falkor and Rodric positioning themselves to channel their magic. Mary stood guard, ready to defend them from any interruptions. Luna stepped closer, her power shimmering visibly.

As the incantation began, Layla felt the surge of magic coursing through her. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced, a torrent of energy so intense that it felt as if her very soul was being pulled apart and reassembled in an endless loop. She clenched her jaw, refusing to let any sign of pain show.

The spell took shape, a glowing sphere of energy that grew and pulsated with each passing second. Layla's body trembled under the strain, but she held firm, her mind focused on the goal: sealing the elder dragon and saving everyone.

Falkor's voice was calm but commanding. "Hold steady, everyone. We're almost there."

Rodric's hands moved in intricate patterns, his magic interweaving with Falkor's. "Layla, just a little longer. You're doing great."

Luna's power surged, adding a final push to the spell. "Stay with us, Layla. You can do this."

The elder dragon, sensing the culmination of the spell, let out a furious roar and attempted to break free. But the combined might of their magic held it at bay, the sealing spell wrapping around it like chains of light.

With one final, earth-shaking cry, the elder dragon was pulled into the sphere, its form shrinking until it was no more. The spell sealed the energy into a tiny, glowing orb that hovered in the air for a moment before disappearing completely.

The battlefield fell silent.

Layla collapsed to her knees, gasping for breath, her body wracked with exhaustion and pain. Rodric and Falkor rushed to her side, their faces pale with worry.

"Layla, are you okay?" Rodric asked urgently.

She managed a weak smile. "I'll... be fine. We did it."

Luna nudged Layla gently, her eyes filled with concern. "You're stronger than I gave you credit for."

Mary knelt beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "You scared us half to death."

Layla leaned into the comfort, her voice barely a whisper. "It's over now. We've won."

The battle had ended, and the elder dragon was sealed away, but the aftermath left Layla drained. The immense magic she had channeled through her body had taken its toll. She staggered, her legs giving out beneath her as she collapsed to the ground. The world spun around her, her vision blurring as she fought to stay conscious.

"Layla!" Mary's voice was filled with panic as she rushed to her side, catching her before she hit the ground fully. "Someone get help! We need a healer!"

Rodric and Falkor immediately sprang into action, carrying Layla to the nearest emergency room within the palace. The air was tense with worry as they laid her down, and a doctor was summoned without delay. The doctor, a seasoned mage familiar with the consequences of extreme magical exertion, took one look at Layla and frowned deeply.

"I'm afraid it's worse than I thought," the doctor said gravely. "The amount of magic that passed through her body was too much. Her system is overloaded. If we don't ease her into eternal sleep, her body will fail completely, and she will suffer greatly."

The words hung heavy in the air. Everyone present was stunned, the weight of the doctor's statement crashing down on them. Luna, unable to contain her rage, let out a low, threatening growl, her eyes flashing dangerously as she stepped forward.

"You think we'll just let her die?" Luna's voice was a mixture of sorrow and fury. "I won't allow it. I'll—"

"Stop, Luna." Layla's voice was weak but firm. She reached out a trembling hand, resting it against Luna's snout. "There's no need for anger. This is my fate."

Tears glistened in Mary's eyes as she knelt beside Layla. "No, there has to be another way. You've done so much. You can't give up now."

Layla managed a faint smile. "I've done what I needed to do. It's enough. I'm ready to accept what comes next."

The room fell silent, filled only with the sound of their ragged breathing and the soft hum of magic. Layla closed her eyes, her body succumbing to the immense strain. The tension in the room grew unbearable as her breathing slowed.

Just when it seemed she had slipped away completely, a faint ding echoed in her mind. Her eyes fluttered open, and she was no longer in the emergency room.

She was back in the modern world.

The sudden change in scenery left her disoriented. She blinked, adjusting to the bright, artificial lights above her. She was lying in a hospital bed, surrounded by familiar beeping machines. Her heart raced as she took in her surroundings, her mind struggling to catch up with what had happened.

The ding repeated, softer this time, resonating in her consciousness like a gentle reminder. She sat up slowly, her body no longer weighed down by the exhaustion she had felt just moments before. She was whole again, her limbs responding without the pain that had wracked her in the other world.

A nurse entered the room, startled to see her awake. "Oh! You're awake. We weren't sure when you'd come to."

Layla stared at her, confusion etched on her face. "Where am I?"

"The hospital. You were brought in after collapsing at the university," the nurse explained gently. "You've been in a coma for several days."

A rush of memories flooded Layla's mind—the battles, the magic, the friends she had fought alongside. It felt surreal, like a vivid dream that lingered even after waking. But it had felt so real.

She leaned back against the pillows, her heart heavy. Was it all just a dream? Or had she truly been in another world?

The nurse checked her vitals, noting the improvement. "You're lucky. Whatever it was, you've recovered remarkably well."

Layla nodded absently, her mind still grappling with the enormity of what had happened. If it had been a dream, it was unlike any other. But if it had been real, what had brought her back?

As she pondered, the ding echoed again in her mind, softer this time, as if it was acknowledging her thoughts. A wave of calm washed over her, a sense of understanding without words. She may never know the full truth, but for now, she was alive. She was back.

And somewhere, perhaps in another realm, her friends were continuing the fight, their spirits intertwined across the fabric of reality.

Layla took a deep breath, grounding herself in the present. She would rest now, but the adventure, whether in dreams or reality, had left its mark on her forever.

Was the adventure she went on truly over now? Was it all a dream?

"No way! I don't know what happened, but I know what I felt and I did. It was all real."