Forty Nine

ALDER’S POV

A sense of calm settled over the Enchanted Forest in the aftermath of our battle with the ancient one. The creatures that had once been lost to darkness were now free, and their gratitude filled the air.

As we gathered around the campfire, I couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and apprehension. The darkness had been defeated, but I knew that it was never truly gone. It would continue to lurk in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to resurface.

"We did it," Celina said, breaking the silence. "We defeated the ancient one."

"But at what cost?" I replied, my mind still filled with thoughts of Lyra. "We lost her to the darkness."

Cassie placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We did everything we could for her, Alder. We can't blame ourselves."

She was right, of course, but it was hard not to feel a sense of loss. Lyra had been like a mother to me, and now she was gone forever.

As we sat together, a new thought occurred to me. "What about the prophecy? We were supposed