In the peaceful village of Wardo, a small and quiet settlement within the Emberfall Kingdom. Azalea, now living as a teacher among common villagers and children, suddenly feels an overwhelming fear stir in her heart. Her body freezes. She turns her gaze to the sky and her eyes widen in terror. A green light bursts from above, glorious and overwhelming, descending rapidly from the heavens. Her eyes begin to glow with the same light, and her expression freezes with tears quietly flowing down her cheeks.
From afar, the students in the village watch in disbelief. One whispers to another, "What the fuck is that?" The other replies, "I don't know... but something big is about to happen."
As the green light crashes down around Azalea, everything near it is obliterated. She stands frozen in the destruction, her body glowing with radiant green energy, her eyes glassy with sorrow. Inside her mind, Azalea is transported to a surreal plane — a space where she stands in a warm green light, and her brother, Crimson, is surrounded by cold darkness. She steps forward, trembling, and cries out softly, "Brother... are you there...?"
Suddenly, Crimson appears before her, tired but calm. "Sister," he says, gently placing a hand on her head, "I know how much you've suffered." Azalea collapses into sobs.
Crimson continues, his voice resolute: "But for you, for all of us... I must create a world where everyone has freedom — no more fear of death, no more hunger. No more monsters... because I will make everyone a monster."
Azalea gasps, backing away. "No... you can't! That's not the way!"
Crimson smiles sadly. "I know what it's like to be feared and hated... for being different. Now the world will understand."
He begins to fade as Azalea screams in desperation, running to him. "Brother, no!" But he vanishes before her hands reach him.
She jolts back into reality, collapsing in the middle of the village. Her students surround her, concerned. "Teacher?! Are you okay?" She throws them off with a scream, "Get out of my way!" and soars into the sky.
To their shock, she flies — green flames spiraling around her. She's regained her powers as the Flare Princess. But her immortality is gone. She struggles to control the wild torrent of her powers, her tears blending into the wind as she cries, "Brother...!"
---
Meanwhile, on Raro Island, Zaren sits at the royal viewing platform, watching the final duels of the Hunters' Tournament. Without a word, he suddenly rises. Finn and Jaxon look at each other.
"Where is he going?" Finn whispers. "Is he uncomfortable?"
"No... Maybe he just has something important to do," Jaxon replies.
Zaren approaches his friends — Maria, Varric, and Noric — with a smile. "Hey guys, how are you?"
Varric laughs. "I thought the new champion wouldn't even look at us anymore."
Zaren grins. "Come on, I'd never forget my friends."
Maria, slightly blushing, steps forward. "You're leaving for Emberfall tonight, right? So... why don't we have one last dinner together before you go?"
Zaren hesitates but smiles. "Yeah. I'll try to return soon. We can have dinner before I go."
All the women and girls on the island admire him from afar. Maria notices and, smirking, grabs Zaren's hand. "So why don't you come with me now?"
Zaren blushes, while Noric and Varric exchange glances. "What's gotten into her?"
Before anyone can react, a green meteor crashes down in the middle of the gathering, kicking up a dust storm. Everyone panics. Zaren immediately gets into a battle stance. Finn and Jaxon run forward. All eyes are locked on the massive crater as the dust begins to settle.
And then — Azalea emerges.
Her green aura surges violently around her. Finn and Jaxon kneel instantly. Zaren stares, stunned. Hunters, kings, and nobles fall into silence.
Finn murmurs, "The Flare Princess has returned... but if she has her powers back, that means..."
Azalea's voice cuts through the silence, trembling with fear.
"A god is coming... to kill us all."
The crowd gasps. Whispers erupt. "Are we going to die...?" "Is this the end...?"
Zaren steps forward, eyes locked on Azalea, who stares at him — her green eyes glowing with dread and sorrow.
(Chapter 40 Fin)