Chapter Fifteen: The Journey Home
Chapter Fifteen: The Journey Home The light returned to the Shadowlands slowly at first—a golden glow trickling through the cracks of the once-crumbling castle. It spread, soft and warm, across the blackened stones, seeping into the ground and the skies. Forests bloomed anew. Rivers once still with ice now shimmered with light. Prince Caelum stood on the high balcony of the throne room, overlooking his reborn kingdom. “This is only the beginning,” he said. “But it is a beginning.” The others gathered behind him—Ariel, Boo, Kip, and Thistle. The moment was heavy with parting. “I must stay,” Caelum said with a gentle smile. “My place is here. To guide this land as it heals. To help its people find the light again.” They embraced him, one by one. That night, they shared a meal beneath the stars—roasted starfruit, warm breads, and spiced roots served in glowing lantern-lit bowls. They ate heartily and laughed freely, letting the weight of their journey finally lift. They told stories...