Chapter 42: New Horizons

The small ship sliced through the skies, carrying its battered passengers away from the ruins of conflict and despair. Calen sat in the cockpit, gripping the controls tightly, his knuckles white as the events of the dungeon replayed in his mind. In the back of the ship, Livra rested beside Sienna, exhaustion evident in her pale face. Her injuries were not severe, but the emotional toll was etched deeply into her features. Sienna lay unconscious, her wounds far more serious. Magistrate Drena had taken the co-pilot’s seat, silently monitoring their trajectory.

As the ship drifted silently through the skies, the mood was heavy with sorrow. Calen and Livra, staring out at the horizon where the Whole of Eternal Levicita rose, a pure black oval sphere ascending slowly but steadily into the heavens. It was hauntingly mesmerizing, its dark surface reflecting nothing, as though it consumed the very light around it.

The weight of their loss was palpable. Balthar, the stalwart mercenary, had given his life so they could escape. His final, defiant stand echoed in their memories—his gruff voice barking orders, his unwavering courage as he held the line. Alongside him, Valtheris and Vosca had also made the ultimate sacrifice. All three had been left behind, caught within the relentless pull of the levicita.

Livra’s fists clenched on her lap, she struggled to suppress the storm of emotions within her. "They didn’t deserve this," she muttered, his voice low and tears runing through her face.

Calen placed a delicate hand on her leg, his touch light but grounding. His green eyes glistened, though he refused to let the tears fall. “They knew what they were doing, they prevented a giant explosion that would have shattered all of Aeris into thousand pieces, and probably with the fall of the island, killed milions. They chose to protect us—to give us a chance to make things right.” he said softly.

The black sphere loomed in the distance, a silent reminder of what they had lost and the terrible forces they faced. It felt like a wound in the sky, a hole that threatened to swallow everything but never would drifting into eternity.

Neither of them spoke for a long while after that, lost in the gravity of their grief. They couldn’t stop the levicita, nor could they bring back those who had fallen. But they could honor their sacrifice by ensuring it hadn’t been in vain.

“We’re almost home,” Drena said, breaking the silence.

Calen’s voice was low but resolute. “Will Sienna make it?”

“She’ll survive,” Drena replied. “This one is a stubborn kid. Aeris’ hospital facilities will be enough, but she’s going to need time and rest.”

Livra moved her head to look at Sienna, her expression softening. Despite everything, she felt a pang of sympathy for the girl who had been her adversary in love. “She saved me, in her own way,” Livra said quietly. “She didn’t have to, but she did.”

Calen nodded, his eyes fixed ahead. “She made a choice. Maybe it wasn’t enough to fix what she’s done, but it’s a start.”

Drena sighed heavily. “It seems we’ve all been making choices—some better than others. Two magistrates are dead. The fallout from this will shake Aeris and the Earthlands for months, if not years.”

Calen frowned. “What will happen to the LCC now? With Valtheris and Tessa gone, who’s in charge?”

“That,” Drena said, “is the question everyone will be asking. For now, we’ll have to stabilize things. And I’ll need both of you to help me.”

Livra’s eyes widened. “Us? But… we’re just—”

“You’re not ‘just’ anything,” Drena interrupted firmly. “Calen, you’ve proven yourself time and time again. And Livra, your voice has power in Aelith Shore. You were the key to stopping this madness, and you’ll be the key to bringing the Earthlands back into trust with Aeris.”

Livra looked uncertain but nodded slowly. “If it means we can prevent a war, I’ll do whatever I can.”

The return to Aeris was both a relief and a challenge. Sienna was immediately admitted to the city’s top medical facility under Drena’s orders. Her condition wasn’t critical and doctors assured them that she would recover.

Meanwhile, the political and logistical chaos engulfing Aeris was overwhelming. With two of the three magistrates gone, Ilara Drena was left as the sole authority figure. The LCC, once a well-oiled machine under Valtheris, was now leaderless and disorganized. Reports of infighting among the lower ranks were frequent, and Aeris’ citizens were growing anxious.

In Drena’s office, the magistrate paced back and forth as Calen and Livra sat across from her.

“We need to act fast,” Drena said. “The Earthlands are in uproar, demanding answers. They’re accusing us of hoarding water, of exploiting levicita, of every crime under the sun.”

Livra hesitated. “But that’s not true... right?”

Drena stopped and fixed Livra with a serious gaze. “It doesn’t matter what’s true. What matters is what they believe. And right now, they believe we’re the enemy.”

Calen leaned forward. “What’s the plan? How do we fix this?”

Drena tapped a small screen on her desk, bringing up a detailed contract. “This. A new agreement between Aeris and the Earthlands. We’ll increase water shipments, lower levicita export tariffs, and ensure transparency in our operations.”

Livra scanned the document, her brow furrowing. “This looks fair, but how will we convince the Earthlands to trust us again?”

“That’s where you come in,” Drena said. “Livra, you’ll address them directly. You’ve been a victim of Aeris’ darker side, and you’ve seen firsthand the lengths we’re going to fix things. Your voice will carry weight.”

Livra’s heart pounded. “Me? I… I don’t know if I can.”

“You can,” Calen said firmly, placing a reassuring hand on hers. “You’ve faced worse than this, Livra. You can do it.”

Livra looked at him, her cheeks flushing slightly, and nodded. “Okay. I’ll try.”

Two days later, Livra stood in front of a camera in Drena’s office. Her palms were clammy, and her heart raced as the red recording light blinked on. Calen stood just out of frame, giving her a reassuring nod.

A mixture of nerves and determination reflected in her dark eyes. Her long, jet-black hair, as straight as a cascade of obsidian, flowed beyond her waist, shimmering under the studio lights. Each strand seemed to move softly when she tilted her head slightly, as if dancing in harmony with her energy.

The white dress she wore, her constant choice, appeared more elegant than ever in this crucial moment. The flowing fabric clung delicately to her figure, like a whisper of wind, with fine details in the design that resembled the petals of a flower. The dress had an ethereal, almost magical quality, making her look like a fairy from the oldest of tales.

Her white skin, smooth and luminous, contrasted with the deep black of her hair and eyes, giving her an almost otherworldly aura. It was as if her entire presence radiated a mix of fragility and strength, a duality that captivated anyone watching.

Though her expression was serious, her lips quivered slightly for a brief moment before she began to speak. The weight of the moment seemed to press her to the edge, but she quickly took a breath and straightened her back, projecting a confidence she didn’t even know she possessed.

Standing there, with the world watching her through the camera, Livra embodied the hope that Aeris and the Earthlands so desperately needed. She was more than just a figure in a white dress; she was a voice promising change, a symbol of reconciliation between two divided worlds.

Taking a deep breath, Livra began.

“Citizens of the Earthlands and Aeris, my name is Livra Veyne, heir to the Veyne house on Aelith Shore. Many of you don’t know me, but today I speak to you as someone who has seen the best and worst of both our worlds.”

Her voice wavered at first, but she pushed through, her words gaining strength.

“For too long, Aeris and the Earthlands have been at odds, divided by mistrust and misunderstanding. I won’t deny that there have been mistakes—serious mistakes—made by those in power. But I also know that change is possible.”

Livra held up the new contract, her hands steady.

“This agreement marks the beginning of a new era. An era of cooperation and mutual respect. Aeris will provide more water to the Earthlands, at fair prices, with complete transparency. In return, we ask for trust and the chance to prove that we can do better.”

She looked directly into the camera, her eyes shining with determination.

“I know this won’t be easy. There are wounds that need time to heal, and trust that must be rebuilt. But I believe in our ability to overcome this. Together, we can create a future where no one is left behind.”

As she finished, Livra exhaled deeply, the weight of the moment lifting slightly. Calen stepped forward, smiling proudly.

“You were amazing,” he said.

Livra smiled back. “I just hope it’s enough.”

The broadcast was met with a mix of skepticism and cautious optimism. While some in the Earthlands remained doubtful, others saw Livra’s sincerity and were willing to give Aeris another chance. Over the following weeks, water shipments increased, and Drena’s administration worked tirelessly to stabilize both Aeris and its relationship with the Earthlands.

As Aeris and the Earthlands began to heal, Drena reflected on the path ahead. The challenges were far from over, but there was a glimmer of hope—a chance to rebuild and create a better world for future generations.

And so, amidst the ruins of the past, new seeds of hope were sown. The journey was far from over, but for the first time in years, the future felt bright.