The Ash Queen’s castle felt alive, but not in a weing way. Every corridor, every staircase, every shadow seemed to watch us as we moved through the darkened halls. Despite the firelight flickering against the ckened stone, the ce was cold. Not the kind of cold that bites the skin, but the kind that presses on your chest, like the walls themselves weigh down


    on you.


    Elias walked beside me, quiet, his usual energy muted. I could tell he was running on exhaustion, the kind thates from keeping your body moving when your mind screams for rest. I wasn’t much better. My muscles ached, and the lingering taste of smoke and blood from ourst encounter made every breath heavy.


    The Ash Queen led us to our chambers, her steps measured and deliberate. “You both need rest.” She said simply, her voice carrying authority without harshness. “Tomorrow, we begin nning the final moves. Tonight, you recover.”


    I wanted to argue. I wanted to say I was ready, that waiting was a waste, but something in her tone stopped me. There was nopromise. Rest was not optional.


    The chambers were surprisinglyfortable, at least for the Ash Queen’s standards. Thick rugs covered the cold stone floors, and soft, warm nkets were folded neatly on the beds. The room smelled faintly of herbs and smoke–something meant to soothe the mind and body.


    Elias flopped onto the bed without hesitation, letting out a long groan. “I don’t know if I can sleep.” He muttered, rubbing his eyes. “My brain won’t shut off.”


    “You need it.” I replied, sinking onto the edge of the bed. “We’re not going to be any good against him if we copse halfway through the fight.” <fna2e4> Chapters first released on find?novel</fna2e4>


    He gave me a sideways nce, skeptical but too tired to argue. “Yeah, I guess. Easy for you to say–you’re always bouncing around like you’re ready to tackle the world.”


    I huffed, letting a small smile escape despite my exhaustion. “Right now, I just want to not think about him for a little while. That counts as rest, right?”


    The Ash Queen lingered by the doorway, her dark eyes studying us. “Rest is not weakness.” She said softly. “It is preparation. Your mind and body must be aligned if you hope to face him.”


    I nodded, letting her words sink in. There was truth there. I’d been running on adrenaline and stubbornness for too long. If I wanted to end this, I needed more than anger–I needed rity.


    <b>+25 </b>Points


    Once she left, the room fell silent except for the crackling of the fire. Elías rolled onto his side, pulling the nket over himself like he could hide from the world in its folds. I stayed seated for a moment, staring into the mes, letting the warmth seep into my bones.


    Slowly, I felt my muscles loosen. The tension that had been wrapped around me for weeks- the constant edge of fear and frustration–began to ease. For a little while, I could pretend that the sorcerer wasn’t out there, waiting, nning his next move.


    “I don’t usually sleep this early.” I said quietly, not expecting an answer.


    “You think this is a normal situation?” Elias mumbled from under the covers, half asleep but still aware. “Becausest I checked, normal is not what we’re living.”


    I chuckled softly, the sound quiet and tired. “Fair enough.”


    He shifted closer to the edge of his bed, his face serious despite the exhaustion. “Lyra… tomorrow’s going to be dangerous. I know you’re ready to take him down, but–just… be careful. Don’t let your fire make you reckless.”


    I looked at him, really looked at him. His eyes, heavy with fatigue, still held that unshakable loyalty and determination. I wanted to tell him I knew that I wasn’t reckless, but words felt smallpared to the weight of what we were about to face.


    “Elias.” I said finally, “I promise… I’ll be smart. But I’m not holding back anymore. He’s caused too much. It ends soon.”


    He nodded slowly, exhaustion winning over argument. “I trust you.” He said, and for the first time in days, his voice was calm. “Just… don’t forget to breathe.”


    Wey down then, letting the nkets swallow us, the firelight flickering across the walls and ceiling. My mind wandered at first, reying past battles, mistakes, and moments where we’d barely escaped with our lives. But slowly, those thoughts began to fade, reced with a strange, almost peaceful emptiness.


    Sleep came unevenly. I drifted in and out, sometimes waking to the distant echo of footsteps in the castle, sometimes slipping into a deep, dreamless rest. When I woke, the fire had burned low, and the room was bathed in the gray light of dawn seeping through the tall, narrow windows.


    Elias stirred beside me, stretching with a groan that sounded like it came from his very bones. “Morning already?” He asked, blinking at the dim light.


    I yawned, sitting up and rubbing my face. “Yeah. Feels like we barely slept.”


    “Barely, but maybe enough.” He said, giving a small grin. “I feel… surprisingly human, actually.


    < CHAPTER 124


    +25 Points


    I smiled back, feeling a rare flicker of calm. “Good. Because we’ll need every bit of that human–ness today.”


    The Ash Queen appeared in the doorway before we could linger, her presence quiet butmanding. “Good. You have rested. That is the first step. Now, you will eat, then we will strategize.”


    We followed her through the hallways, the guards giving us respectful nods. The castle was quieter in the morning, the tension still there but softened by theck of immediate danger. Servants moved with purpose, offering bread, fruits, and warm tea, which I took greedily. The Ash Queen ate lightly, observing us both, her gaze never leaving my face for more than a


    moment.


    <i>” </i>


    Once we were fed, she led us to a smaller chamber lined with maps, charts, and a few small figurines that looked like miniature soldiers. She set them on the table with deliberate care. Today, you learn not just how to use what you already know, but how to anticipate him, to predict his moves. Commanding his minions is only one part of this fight. Strategy is the rest.


    I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on me again. My body had rested, my mind had cleared somewhat, but there was still so much to prepare for. The Ash Queen pointed out areas where the sorcerer might try to ambush us, traps he had set that only someone who understood him could predict, and weaknesses in the way his minions moved when unchecked.


    Elias watched closely, asking questions, making observations. I realized, as we worked together, that resting had actually helped. My mind was sharper, my thoughts clearer, and even my control over the sorcerer’s minions felt steadier, more precise.


    Hours passed quickly, filled with quiet discussion, careful nning, and small demonstrations of how I could bend the lesser minions to my will. The Ash Queen guided us without dominating, letting us feel capable while warning us against overconfidence.


    By mid–afternoon, we paused. The room was quiet except for the crackling of a small fire in the corner. I stretched, feeling the tight muscles in my back loosen, and realized for the first time in weeks that I was ready–not just emotionally, but physically and mentally.


    Elias leaned back in his chair, a faint smile on his face. “I think… we might actually stand a chance.” He said quietly, almost to himself.


    I nodded, looking at the maps and figurines on the table. “We have to. There’s no turning back now.”


    C CHAPTER 124


    The Ash Queen studied us both, her expression unreadable, then finally spoke. “Good. That is enough for today. You have rested. You have prepared. Tomorrow, you step closer to the final confrontation. Keep your minds clear and your hearts steady. This fight will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine.”


    We nodded in unison. For the first time, I didn’t feel the constant panic, the pressure to act immediately. Rest has given me perspective. Rest has given us strength.


    As we returned to our chamberster, I felt a quiet determination settle over me. The sorcerer awaited, and soon we would face him. But for now, I allowed myself to breathe, to feel human again. I allowed Elias to do the same.


    Tonight, we rested. Tomorrow, the fight will begin.


    And I would be ready.


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