What the hell have I done, Cal thought in horror as she sat down at the table.

Tears welled in her eyes as she felt everyone's eyes on her. "I'm so sorry," she sobbed.

She could finally think clearly without her magic whispering in her ear and pulling the strings for her.

"It wasn't you," said Akaljot. "We have several things that need to be discussed, though."

Cal wiped away her tears. "Let's discuss them."

"Is there anything that you would like to get off of your chest?"

She hesitated. "What Luna did really hurt. She poisoned Matias and cured him with demon blood—James's demon blood. Luna gained my trust, tried to kill myself and my husband, and she broke it. Not to mention everything that James did through Matias—"

"I'm fine, Cal," Matias interrupted. "Or as fine as I can get considering the fact that I don't know which memory is real or fake." He furrowed his brows. "I can tell the difference, but... I don't know which ones to believe."

Her father looked at her. "How much did his memories cost?"

She but her lip. "My near-immortal lifespan. And it's now tied to Matias's life."

Akaljot pinched the bridge of his nose.

"What are you going to tell us next?" Lucas growled. "That you lost half of your magic?"

Cal grimaced. "I did give up half of my magic."

Everyone collectively swore.

"You gave up your light?" asked Lance.

"Zemlja has two light-wielders and one Pyro," she explained. "I am the last Pyro."

"So what did that bargain give you?" asked Lucas.

Cal's gaze met Lance's eyes. "If you are right about Luna, she could get a second chance. If not, Tenebrarum is mine."

"How is your fire now that you have lost your light?" asked Akaljot.

She reached down into the well until she couldn't anymore. "There's a bottom now. There wasn't before."

"Likely a contingency plan so your magic doesn't go to your head again."

"So now what?" asked Lucas. "We no longer have a Light-Bringer—just a Fire-Bringer."

"I have an idea," she said. "Listen carefully."

—

They set out the next day on the final push to Lucis. The desert changed into an arid semi-desert. They crossed the Baldurfluss river and replenished their supplies in Urbs Flumen.

"Melania is surprisingly lax with the guards," Cal observed.

"She's probably conserving men and resources," said Akaljot. "Especially since the massacre outside of Friedens two weeks ago."

"Makes sense," said Matias. "You lose fifty-thousand men, so instead of sending out troops to interfere, build up strength and dig in for a siege."

After replenishing supplies, they moved southeast towards Valon. After another two weeks of travelling, they made camp a mile outside of the capital.

As the sun began to set, Cal found Matias sitting at the forest's edge.

"May I join you?" she asked as she approached.

He looked back and smiled. "Of course, Cal."

She sat down beside him and stared at Valon in the distance. "Are you doing alright?"

"I'm doing fine," he answered. "I know which memories to believe."

Cal arched a brow and looked at her husband. "Oh?"

Matias nodded. "I believe the memories that involve this."

Cal's eyes went wide as Matias leaned in and kissed her. His fingers threaded in her hair and Cal returned the kiss. They broke apart, breathless.

"I love you, Cal," he said. "And nothing is going to take that away from us."

"Alright, lovebirds," said Lucas, "the Everlight needs you."

Cal and Matias got to their feet and followed Lucas.

"So what made you fall back in love with me?" asked Cal.

"Your brother, father, and Lance," he said. "They would explain anything I asked questions about. My eye colour, our marriage, you. They answered to the best of their abilities."

They paused outside of a tent. "Once this is all over, I will answer all of your questions," Cal promised.

They entered the tent and stood across from Akaljot.

"We have a slight problem," he said.