Only a few days had passed since Leylin received the Flame of Liberation, but it was enough for the fire within her to feel as if it had become a living, breathing being, free from the shackles of the shadows.
Eren and Leylin returned to the Windy Stronghold on the wings of the flowing wind, the winds surrounding the stronghold blowing in unison with their footsteps, as if acknowledging them as leaders of both wind and fire.
Arriving at the Stronghold:
Zerath opened the gates of the stronghold, his eyes filled with hope despite the tired lines on his face.
"You're back..."
Eren replied with a confident smile.
"We're back... and we're ready to end this war."
The soldiers looked at them in admiration as the pure flames swirled around Leylin, illuminating the area with a faint golden glow. Their hearts felt a strange warmth, as if hope had returned despite the ash shadows still looming on the horizon.
War Meeting:
The leaders gathered in the hall of the Broken Stone Temple, where an ancient map lay, marking the locations of the Black Ashes and the Hunters' Castles.
"Nazar is fortifying himself in the heart of his Ashes, built from the remains of the souls he has stolen over the years."
"Zerath" said in a low voice.
"We must storm it before he can summon the Black Storm," Leylin pointed to the castle's location on the map, flames flickering in her hand.
"We must storm it before he can summon the Black Storm."
The Assault Plan:
"We will divide our forces into three groups," Eren said, unfolding the map of the secret paths.
"The first will clear the way through the eastern valley and distract the Ashes' guards.
The second will secure the northern gate to cut off the Shadows' supplies.
"Leylin and I will penetrate from above with the winds, reaching the heart of the castle."
Voices echoed, and some soldiers expressed fear of confronting Nazar. But Leylin stepped forward, her voice steady:
"The fire within me is now free... and the shadows cannot control it anymore. We will break the Black Ash and end this curse."
Moment of Preparation:
Eren stepped out into the training ground at night, his Wind Wings glowing blue behind him, summoning storms and training the soldiers on how to protect themselves from the Shadows.
As for Leylin, she sat in the ground, closing her eyes and circling the golden flames around her hands, preparing them to become a sword of flame that could pierce the Ash Shadows.
Exchange of Pledges:
Eren approached her, the Winds gently swirling around the flames, and said:
"Tomorrow night... we will attack."
Leylin opened her eyes and looked at him steadily:
"Together, we will end this."
He reached out, and the fire and wind intertwined between their palms, creating a golden-purple flash that rose into the sky, illuminating the entire stronghold, as if night itself had been forced away.
Black Ashes Watch:
In the distant Citadel of Ashes, Nazar stood on his balcony, the ash swirling around him like a vortex of shadows, his red eyes glowing.
"If... you finally decide to come."
He smiled, raising his hand, and the black ash streamed across the sky, preparing for the coming battle.
Chapter Ending:
Eren and Leylin stood on the walls of the stronghold, watching the horizon as the black ash gathered in the sky.
"This is the final war..."
Eren said, the wings of the wind flapping furiously behind him.
"And we will burn the shadows with the fire of freedom."
Leylin replied, the flame dancing confidently on her palm, as the wind wrapped around her hand.
Thus began the final night before the storming of the Black Ash Castle, where the fate of Fire, Wind… and the entire world would be decided.