CHAPTER 145: NO LONGER ALONE

[: 3rd POV :]

The hall, once echoing with the symphony of laughter and faint clinks of crystal glasses, now stilled with the Dragon Empress’s words.

"Isn’t this terrifyingly amazing that a single boy has saved important figures all at the same time?"

Sylthara declared with a grin that carried both awe and intrigue.

"If this isn’t fate, then I don’t know what it is."

The crowd of nobles and rulers turned their attention to Daniel once again.

The light of the chandeliers danced across his calm expression, painting his silhouette in hues of silver and black.

Sylthara’s draconic eyes gleamed, not with malice, but with possession, the kind born from the ancient dragon instinct to claim what they deemed precious.

"Isn’t that right, Sylvene?" she turned to the Spirit Empress beside her, who had been watching Daniel quietly.

Sylvene smiled faintly, her ethereal glow softening the air.

"That’s right. This may very well be fate... although, strangely, I cannot peer into his."

She stepped closer, her presence like a soothing melody that hushed even the heartbeats of those nearby.

Her gaze softened as she stopped before Daniel.

"You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you, boy?"

Her voice trembled ever so slightly, echoing with something akin to sorrow.

Daniel’s lips parted, but no words came.

That single question, gentle yet piercing, struck something deep within him.

Sylvene continued, her tone heavy with memory.

"When your mother, Melira and Caelira came to me with the promise of time... I saw it"

"I saw fragments of what you’ve endured. No child, no being, should have carried such torment."

Silence fell like a soft veil.

Even the nobles who moments ago were whispering in awe now dared not speak.

The Spirit Empress closed her eyes, recalling the echoes of what she had witnessed, the endless solitude, the battles drenched in despair, the burden of power that eroded the boy’s very soul.

And yet here he stood, alive, breathing and smiling.

Her gaze shimmered faintly as she said,

,We... my comrades who are long gone, would no doubt owe you a debt that can never be repaid"

"But as the Spirit Empress, I will say this"

Her words carried across the hall, calm yet resolute.

"Whatever you need, whatever burden you may face, know that the spirits of the world shall side with you."

The declaration rippled through the air like divine music.

Nobles gasped.

Even the other Rulers blinked in disbelief.

Kaelgor Ironclaw let out a low whistle, breaking the silence.

"Now that’s something you don’t hear often."

Xerath chuckled deeply, resting his chin on his fist.

"The Spirit Empress, the most neutral of us all, showing favoritism? Hah. But I can’t say she’s wrong. The boy’s earned it."

The Dwarf King, Thrain, let out a booming laugh that shook the tables.

"Aye! It’s about time someone said it aloud! That lad’s done more than any of us could’ve in ten lifetimes!"

Sylthara smirked, folding her arms.

"Considering the circumstances, I’d say even fate has chosen to bend before him."

Then her tone softened, her draconic pride giving way to something gentler.

"Having said that, Daniel, just like Kaelgor and Xerath, you may not realize how much I owe you. Because of you... my daughter, Erina, came home alive."

Her voice trembled, faintly cracking at the edges.

For a moment, the terrifying Dragon Empress, the ruler who could level continents was simply a mother.

"As a mother," she said, bowing her head slightly, "I owe you everything."

Daniel’s eyes widened at the gesture.

The nobles gasped again.

To see the Dragon Empress bow was unheard of.

"Please don’t, Your Majesty," Daniel said softly, stepping forward.

"I only did what I felt was right. I couldn’t just let her die."

Sylthara chuckled through the faint shine in her eyes.

"Ah... and yet that’s precisely what makes you dangerous. A heart that pure is rarer than a dragon’s tear."

Then, with a teasing glint in her eyes, she added.

"I suppose I should be glad that I betrothed my second daughter to you, hm?"

The hall froze.

Melira, who had been standing behind Daniel, blinked, her eye twitching slightly.

Daniel coughed.

’I completely forgot about that’ He thought.

Sylthara laughed, a melodic, echoing sound that carried warmth rather than dominance.

"But that’s a topic for another time. For now, enjoy this day."

She then turned her gaze toward the side, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Though, before you do... it seems someone has been dying to see you."

And before anyone could ask who.

"Big Brother Daniel!"

A voice pierced through the chatter, a bright, innocent cry that melted hearts.

Everyone turned as a small figure with hair and crystalline wings came soaring through the air.

A girl, barely ten, her face glowing with uncontainable joy.

Daniel blinked, startled for a brief second before instinctively catching her as she crashed against his chest, her small arms wrapping tightly around him.

"E-Erina?" he breathed, recognition dawning instantly.

The child looked up at him, her eyes shining like twin suns.

"Big Brother Daniel! You promised we’d meet again, and we did!"

A soft laugh escaped him, warm and genuine.

He placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair lightly.

"Didn’t I tell you that one day we would?"

Erina nodded vigorously, her wings fluttering behind her.

’’I waited so long! I told everyone that you’d come see me again, and now they believe me!"

The room melted with tender smiles.

Even the usually stoic guards couldn’t help but soften.

Sylthara exhaled softly.

"Ever since she had returned, she couldn’t and wouldn’t stop talking about someone who had saved her," she murmured, her tone reverent.

"She has grown a lot," Melira said, stepping closer with a smile.

"Last time, she couldn’t even stand without trembling."

Erina turned toward Melira and the others, bowing shyly.

"G-Good to see all of you!"

Kaelgor let out a hearty laugh.

"Well, she’s a brave one, I’ll give her that!"

"She’s a dragon child and she has my blood"

Sylthara said proudly, though her expression softened as she looked at Erina.

Erina grinned and clung tighter to Daniel.

"Because of Big Brother Daniel, I’m not scared anymore. I’m strong now! I even learned how to control my powers!"

"Oh?" Daniel raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Then I’ll have to see it for myself one day."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

The simple exchange warmed the air more than any fire could.

Sylvene chuckled softly.

"To inspire such loyalty and warmth in a child you barely knew... You truly are something else, Daniel."

"I’m just... doing what I believe in," he replied, his voice low but sincere.

Melira stepped forward, her gaze filled with pride and affection.

"If there’s anything that I’m glad is that you managed to be who you are despite going through everything"

Daniel turned to his mother, a faint, almost smile curving his lips.

"I don’t know about that, but...maybe that’s what I have inherited from you mother."

This time, Melira’s smile became even wider and her eyes were getting emotional once again.

From the side, Xerath groaned dramatically. "Oh no, it’s getting too emotional again. Someone get me a drink before I start crying."

Queen Lilith smirked. "Don’t pretend, dear. You already are."

"Am not!" he snapped, wiping at his eyes, earning laughter from everyone around.

Thrain slammed his mug on the table. "A toast then! To the boy who’s brought miracles to our worlds!"

The hall erupted with cheers as cups and goblets were raised.

"To Daniel!" voices echoed.

"To the boy who faced hundreds thousands of monsters, and still remembers to smile!"

Even Sylvene, who rarely indulged in mortal gestures, raised a hand of light.

"To the boy who carries the will of the forgotten."

Erina copied everyone, lifting her small cup of juice.

"To Big Brother Daniel!" she shouted.

Daniel chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"You’re all exaggerating..."

But the warmth in his eyes betrayed the gratitude he felt.

Then Melira spoke, her voice calm yet full of emotion.

"It’s not exaggeration my son. You’ve done more than anyone ever could"

Caelira stepped forward, smiling. "She’s right, you know. You may not see it, but every ruler here carries a debt they cannot repay."

"Debt?" Daniel repeated quietly.

"Yes," Sylthara said. "You gave us something beyond power or peace and that’s a debt that can be paid"

Sylvene nodded in agreement.

The hall grew quiet again, this time not with awe, but with gentle warmth.

As laughter resumed and music slowly began to play again, the rulers returned to lighter conversation.

Sylthara teased Xerath about his tearful eyes, Thrain challenged Kaelgor to a drinking contest, and Rika was seen dragging Kiel and Manork into an impromptu dance, much to their embarrassment.

Erina refused to leave Daniel’s side, clinging to him even as he sat beside his mother, who smiled softly at the scene.

And as the music swelled and the night deepened, Daniel looked around the grand hall at the faces of those he’d saved, at the bonds he’d forged, and the warmth he’d never thought he’d find again.

He smiled faintly and whispered under his breath, almost inaudibly.

"...Thank you."

The words carried softly into the air, unseen but felt and for once, the universe seemed to whisper back.

*You’re not alone anymore.*