Cursed By Thorns

Epilogue

A New Dawn

The world had changed.

Months had passed since the battle in the glen, since the keystone shattered and Elric Thorn was defeated. The dark fae had retreated into the shadows, their power broken, their influence diminished. The land that had once been plagued by Thorn's ambition was beginning to heal, its people slowly emerging from the shadows of fear.

Evelyn stood at the edge of a vast, golden field, the wind gently tugging at her hair. The sun was setting, casting a warm, amber glow across the horizon. The sky was a canvas of soft pastels, the colors bleeding into one another in a serene, peaceful blend. She took a deep breath, feeling the clean, crisp air fill her lungs, and smiled.

She had never thought she would see this day—a day when the world was at peace, when she could stand in the open without the constant threat of darkness looming over her. It felt like a dream, one she was finally able to live in.

Behind her, the village of Eldara was bustling with life. The once-silent streets were filled with laughter and music as the townspeople celebrated their newfound freedom. Flowers bloomed in every garden, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the bleakness that had once pervaded the town. The marketplace, which had been a mere shadow of itself under Thorn’s influence, was now thriving, the stalls overflowing with fresh produce, hand-crafted goods, and the joyful chatter of people who had once feared to speak too loudly.

Evelyn watched the scene with a sense of fulfillment and pride. This was what they had fought for—not just the destruction of Thorn and his dark ambitions, but the restoration of life, hope, and joy. This was the world they had saved.

A familiar presence stirred beside her, and Evelyn turned to see Kael approaching. He was dressed in simple clothes, a far cry from the battle-worn armor he had once worn. His eyes, however, still held the same intensity, the same depth of emotion that had drawn her to him from the very beginning.

He stopped beside her, slipping his hand into hers, their fingers intertwining in a gesture of quiet intimacy. “I thought I’d find you here,” he said, his voice warm and familiar.

Evelyn smiled, leaning into him. “I just needed a moment to take it all in,” she replied, her gaze returning to the village. “It’s hard to believe it’s real sometimes.”

Kael nodded, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand. “We’ve been through a lot. It’s only natural to feel that way.”

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, watching as the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the fields in shades of gold and orange. The peace between them was palpable, a far cry from the tension and uncertainty that had once defined their lives.

But even as they stood there, Evelyn knew that their journey wasn’t truly over. The battle might have been won, but there were still wounds to heal, both in the world and within themselves. There were still challenges to face, new adventures to embark upon, and a future to build together.

“Have you thought about what comes next?” Kael asked, his voice gentle but curious.

Evelyn nodded, her mind turning over the possibilities that had been swirling in her thoughts for weeks. “I have,” she said softly. “I want to help rebuild. There’s so much that was lost—so many people who need guidance, protection, and a sense of purpose. I think… I think I’d like to be part of that.”

Kael’s expression softened, and he squeezed her hand. “I think that’s a wonderful idea,” he said, pride evident in his voice. “You’ve always been a protector, Evelyn. It’s in your nature.”

Evelyn smiled at his words, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “What about you?” she asked, turning the question back to him. “What do you want to do?”

Kael was quiet for a moment, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “I’ve been a warrior for so long,” he said finally, his voice thoughtful. “But now, I think I want to find a different path—one that doesn’t involve a sword or a shield.”

Evelyn looked up at him, surprised. “You’re thinking of stepping away from the life of a warrior?”

He nodded. “Yes. I want to build something new, something that lasts. A life that isn’t defined by battle, but by what comes after. I want to be part of this world we’ve fought so hard to save—to create something beautiful out of the ashes.”

His words resonated deeply with Evelyn, and she felt a swell of affection for the man beside her. Kael had always been a warrior, strong and steadfast, but beneath that exterior, there was a heart that longed for peace, for something more than the endless cycle of conflict.

“Then let’s build that life together,” she said, her voice firm with determination. “Whatever comes next, we’ll face it side by side.”

Kael turned to her, his expression softening as he looked into her eyes. “Together,” he agreed, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead.

As the last light of the sun faded, casting the world into twilight, Evelyn felt a sense of calm settle over her. There was a long road ahead, but she wasn’t afraid. Not anymore. She had Kael by her side, and together, they would carve out a future that was bright, full of love and the promise of new beginnings.

As they turned to head back to the village, hand in hand, Evelyn couldn’t help but glance back at the field one last time. The wind whispered through the tall grass, carrying with it the scent of fresh earth and new growth. The sky above was clear, dotted with the first stars of the evening, each one a beacon of hope shining down on the world below.

And in that moment, Evelyn knew that they had done more than just defeat a great evil. They had given the world a chance to start anew, to grow and thrive in ways it never could have under Thorn’s shadow. It was a new dawn, not just for the world, but for them as well.

With that thought in mind, Evelyn smiled, her heart light as she and Kael walked back into the village, ready to embrace whatever the future had in store for them. Together, they would build a life full of love, joy, and the peace they had fought so hard to achieve.

The night enveloped the world, but for Evelyn and Kael, it was just the beginning of a journey filled with light—a journey they would walk together, hand in hand, for as long as they both lived.