Ruthless 🗡️/ Fourth Wing

Chapter 63

22 Years Later

Professor Soren stood before a full lecture hall in the grand amphitheater of Basgiath's highest tower. The room, filled with eager young minds, had become a place where history was not just taught, but lived—where the stories of war and sacrifice were etched into the foundation of the Kingdom of Navarre. Today, he would tell them the story of how everything changed, and how Nora, the mother of dragons, had saved them all.

Professor Soren cleared his throat, casting his eyes over the group of students who hung on every word. He took a deep breath before speaking, his voice powerful as he began.

"Today, we look back at a time that many of you were too young to remember. A time when the Kingdom of Navarre was on the brink of collapse—torn apart by war, magic, and the relentless power of the Veins. But we also remember how that war ended. How the Veins were wiped from the face of our world. And how one woman—the General of our War College, Nora—changed the fate of all of us."

The professor paused, letting the weight of the words settle in.

"It was not by armies alone that we prevailed. It was by fire, by the power of dragons, and by Nora's strength that the Veins were no more. Nora, born with the power of fire in her blood, made the ultimate sacrifice to save us all. She did not die that night, but the world that emerged from the ashes was forever changed."

The students sat still, the room quiet as the professor continued, his voice taking on a deeper tone.

"The Veins, those ancient enemies who came from the Barrens, were creatures of pure destruction, born from the darkest corners of magic. Their very existence was a threat to all life. Their armies ravaged the land, their power a magic that could turn cities to dust. But they were not invincible. Not when Nora, with the blood of dragons coursing through her veins, chose to stand against them."

Professor Soren's gaze grew intense as he walked to the center of the room, making eye contact with his students, drawing them into the moment.

"On a night, now known as the Night of Flames, Nora took the greatest risk. Alone, with her dragon's power igniting within her, she flew into the heart of the Barrens, where the Veins had made their home. The Barrens, a wasteland of ancient magic and death, were where they gathered their strength. It was there she found them—and there, with the flames of her signet magic, she set fire to everything."

A murmur rippled through the students, but the professor raised his hand, silencing them.

"It wasn't just any fire. It was a fire that consumed the very magic that had created the Veins. She burned the Barrens, the land that had birthed them, until nothing was left but ash. But the fire she unleashed did more than destroy—it purged the magic from the world. The Veins, once so powerful, were wiped from existence."

The room was filled with awe, and Professor Soren took a moment to let the impact of Nora's actions sink in.

"But Nora did not die. No, she emerged from the flames, as strong as ever. She returned to us, not as a hero, but as a leader. Her victory over the Veins became the foundation of the new Kingdom of Navarre. The fire she wielded was not just destruction—it was rebirth. It forged a new path for us all."

He stepped forward, his voice softening, yet filled with reverence.

The kingdoms, once divided by fear and distrust, are united under one banner, one cause. Thanks to her, we no longer fight for survival. We fight for each other."

The professor's gaze softened as he looked over the room of students, knowing they carried the legacy of Nora's fire within them.

"Nora's power, her fire, saved Navarre. And it is because of her sacrifice, her strength, and her leadership that we stand here today, united. Never forget the cost of that unity. Never forget that the Veins are gone because of one woman, one dragon's flame. And never forget—each of you carries the power to protect this kingdom, to honor the sacrifice that has brought us all together."

He finished with a nod, his voice steady as the room was silent, each student lost in their own thoughts, the weight of history settling over them.

"Now, as we face the future, remember this: The fire that destroyed the Veins is the same fire that has built our world. Let us never let it go out."

"How many times do you think we're going to have to hear 'Mom was a badass who saved the kingdom'?" Fen nudged Cade as they walked out of the lecture hall, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls.

Cade rolled his eyes and Fen smirked, flicking her brother's arm. "Honestly, I think we should just start telling the stories ourselves. You know, 'How our mom went to the Barrens and burned the Veins to the ground while Dad... stood there looking dramatic.'"

Cade laughed, shaking his head. "I can just imagine the look on their faces if we did that. 'Oh, really? The twins are telling the bedtime story now? Must be nice to have that kind of family history.'"

Fen shrugged, a teasing smile on her face. "Well, I mean, it is pretty epic. And hey, we've got more than just 'Mom the badass' in our blood. Dad's not exactly lacking in coolness either."

"Maybe that's why we're so cool." Fen grinned, nudging him again. "We got the best of both of them. Mom's fire, Dad's... whatever he's got going on. Who else has parents like ours?"

Cade grinned back, his expression softening. "Yeah. No one. But you know, at least we've got the whole 'badass family legacy' thing to fall back on. Not that we'll ever get away from it. We're always gonna be 'Nora and Xaden's kids.'

"Remember the heir to Tyrrendor?" Cade nudged Fen with a sly grin. "I was born first."

"Yeah, whatever." Fen rolled her eyes, brushing past him as they separated paths.

Above them, standing on the balcony of the War College overlooking the courtyard, Nora watched her twins with a soft smile. Her eyes followed them for a moment

From behind, Xaden approached, placing a hand gently on her waist. He tapped her back lightly with a playful grin. "We did good with them."

Nora turned to him, meeting his eyes with a faint but fond smile. "Yeah, we did."

He leaned in, pressing a light kiss to her lips. "I love you."

Nora returned his smile, her eyes softening. "I love you too. But now I have to go find Liam. He's off on some hunt to find a dragon."

Xaden raised an eyebrow, concern creeping into his voice. "What does he think he's doing? He's only sixteen."

Nora's smile faded slightly as she sighed, a mix of affection and worry tugging at her heart. "In his words, it's never too early to bond with a dragon. I just wish we'd done as well with him as we did with the twins."

Xaden's gaze softened, his hand finding hers. "He's just... different."

Nora nodded, squeezing his hand. "I know.Yeah he's too much like you. I'll find him before he does something rash, I'm sure."

Nora gave him a brief nod before turning toward the stairs, determination in her step.

As she walked away, Xaden stood there for a moment, watching her go with a mixture of pride and love. They'd built something incredible together—something bigger than the wars, the dragons, the kingdom. It was a family.