RESOLVE

There was a border of sorts between our dying world, and the dead one, and that we came to know as the edge of the Irene Desert.
Before us, the sands stretched out.
Behind us, the combined armies of the Imperium were immense, the end was here.
The air hummed with the nervous energy of nearly two hundred thousand soldiers preparing for the final battle, the sounds of sharpening steel and chanter prayers were a constant here.

Our home for these last few days was a large command tent, the nexus point of the entire military operation.
Maps covered a massive wooden table, each one detailing a facet of the pincer movement that was about to close on Dietha's sanctum.

General Kaelen, pointed to a position deep within the desert marked with a demonic rune.

"Our scouts confirm this is the location of the final Imperial force, the Imperilati, and the epicentre of Dietha's portal. The Elven fleet is in position to the south. Admiral Valenski's navy has blockaded the western coast. Furthermore, my First Company is ready to begin the northern push. All the pieces are on the board, my lord."

Tulote nodded, his gaze sweeping over the map.

"Excellent, General. We will begin the advance at dawn tomorrow."

He turned to a communications officer.

"Prepare three message scrolls. Inform the Elven command and Admiral Valenski that the final phase is commencing."

Message scrolls are such a thing that they are able, upon their singular use, to teleport to the intended recipient. With a success rate of 100% it has proven itself to be the default method of long distance communication throughout all Erton.

The officer bowed and hurried away with the scrolls.
The command tent slowly emptied, leaving us four in the flickering lamplight.

I found Cassandra outside, staring up at the twin moons.
She had been quieter since my revelation about Kathuria, I went over to speak with her.

"It's a strange thing," she began without looking at me, "I've lived for so long, Arda. I've watched friends and loves and entire generations turn to dust, such is the curse for royal elves. I thought I understood loss."

She finally turned to me.

"But what you and Kathuria endured... a love strong enough to be twice-born and twice-lost. It's a story that would make even the stones weep. She was a remarkable woman."

"She is, she still is my everything." I agreed, my voice thick.

"I know what you are about to ask of us," Cassandra continued, "to buy you time. To be the wall that stands between you and an army of monsters while you channel the power of a God. It's a fool errand, a suicide mission, and I've been on plenty, I'd know in my half millennia of existing."

She smiled, a sad, beautiful and utterly fearless expression.

"And I would not have it any other way. We will hold the line, Arda. For you. For your children. And for her."

I embraced her as though I would a sister.
We never spoke much as of late, but of all the friends I've known throughout my entire lifetime, none could live up to this lot, and none to her.

—

Later, back in the quiet of our tent, I sat with a piece of parchment and a quill.
The four relics Erton had given me were laid out before me, pulsing with a faint, gentle light.
I had to write to them.
One last time, in case...

—

My Dearest Idrian, Ioas, Iriam, and Izacc,

If you are reading this, it means I have kept my promise. It means the world is safe, and the last monster is gone forever. I need you to know that in these final moments, you are the only thing in my heart. Every step I have taken in this strange, broken, and beautiful world has been to find my way back to you.

Idrian, my clever, serious boy. You are the man of the house now. Be wise, be kind, and never stop asking questions. Your mind is a gift. Use it to build a better world than the one I left.

Ioas, my little storm. Your strength is a fire. Keep it burning bright, but always use it to protect those who are weaker than yourself. A strong arm is only as good as the heart that guides it.

Iriam, my little artist. Never lose the magic in your eyes. See the beauty in the world, even when it's hard to find, and share it with everyone. Your heart is a treasure.

And Izacc, my little love and laugh. Your joy is a weapon against all the darkness in the world. Never ever let anyone extinguish it.

Know this, always: your father loved you more than all the stars in the sky. Live long, live well, and love each other. That is all I and your mother have ever wanted.

Forever yours,
Papa.

I sealed the letter, my hands trembling, and handed the instant transmission scroll to a waiting messenger. 

"To the capital, for Thial's eyes only." I ordered.

.

.

.

.

As the messenger left, Tulote approached me, his expression grave. 
He placed his massive hands on my shoulders, his gaze direct and heavy.

"Arda," he began, his voice a low rumble. "We both know what the coming battle will demand. We have spoken of my family's legacy, of the power that runs through my veins. It is a fire that, once fully unleashed, will consume the one who wields it."

My blood ran cold.

"Tulote, don't."

"Listen to me," he said, his grip tightening.

"There is no victory without sacrifice. My parents knew it. Aquarius knew it. And I know it. When the time comes, I will do what must be done to buy you the time you need. But when I am gone..." 

He paused. What he said next rattled me beyond my core.

"This takes a lot to admit, but Arda. The Imperium will need a leader. It will need a symbol. Not a regent ruling in the name of the past, but a hero who forged its future. If I fall, Arda... I require you to lead them. I need you to be the king my mother spoke of."

"I'm not a king, Tulote," I whispered, overwhelmed. "I'm just a father."

"And that is why you must be the one. Because you know what is truly worth fighting for." he said, a sad, proud smile on his face.

—

"He speaks the truth, Arda," Usasha said, "Tulote understands his duty. Just as we understand ours."

"We put this on you," Silus added. "Me, Usasha... we started this. We asked a stranger from another world to come here and die for our mistakes. It's the most selfish thing a king and queen have ever done."

"But you are more than we ever could have hoped for," Usasha added. "You have not just fought our battles; you have healed our family. You gave Tulote a brother. You gave my people hope. You honoured your wife through it all."

"I just want it to be over, I just want to know my kids are safe." I admitted, the weariness of the last year finally pressing down on me.

"Then finish it, for them. For Yui. For Kathuria. For all the souls of this broken world. Be the end, Arda. Be the hero we could not."

They faded, leaving me with their blessing and the terrible weight of their expectations.
I stood there for a long time, until a quiet footstep on the sand behind made me turn.
It was Xerta.

"I heard what the big man said to you, about... what might happen." she said.

I just nodded, unable to speak.

"I'm scared, Arda," she admitted. "I'm not scared of the fighting, and to hell if anyone thinks I'm scared of the demons. What I am scared of is watching you walk into that fire. I'm scared of... losing you."

She looked down at her hands.

"I spent my whole life trusting nothing but my own forge. And then you came along, you stubborn, large-eyed outlander. You and your ridiculous family."

She took a step closer.

"You made me feel safe with me again. Kathuria... she saw it. She saw something in me, in us. And I, for better or for worse, see that too."

She reached out and took my hand, her calloused fingers intertwining with mine. Her touch was not delicate or graceful, but I cared not.

"I don't know what happens after we kill this god-queen. I don't know if you go back to your world, or if you stay. But I know this. I'm with you. All the way. And I'll be damned if I let you face the end alone."

I looked at her.
At this fierce, honest, and unbelievably brave, beautiful dwarf who had seen the absolute worst of this world and still chose to fight for it.
Somewhere, somehow, Kathuria was watching, and I knew she's smiling down on us all.

I squeezed her hand.

"Whatever happens, we face it together." I said, my voice finally steady.

The final battle was coming.
The end of the world was at hand.
But here, in the heart of the desert, holding the hand of this incredible woman, I was not afraid.