The battlefield was burning.
The sky above Lumora split into cracks of flame, light bleeding through like a dying star. Ash fell like snow. Screams echoed across the ruined stone.
But Mona heard none of it.
All she heard was his breathing.
Niki stood across from her, blood dripping from his mouth, half his shirt torn, flames dancing around his feet like snakes obeying a master.
She was shaking.
Her fingers were slick with power and grief.
"Please," she whispered. "Stop."
He tilted his head.
And smiled faintly.
"You're crying."
She was.
Tears streaked down her ash-smudged cheeks as she clutched the silver blade Sunghoon had given her.
"I don't want to hurt you," she whispered.
"Then don't," he said softly. "Let it end another way."
Her grip tightened. "You're not him anymore."
"I am," Niki breathed, stepping closer. "That's the worst part."
"I don't believe that."
He laughed bitterly, eyes flashing red-gold. "You're still hoping, Mona. But there's no version of this where I survive. You saw it. In your dreams. In the mirror flames. You know what comes next."
FLASH — VISION MEMORY
Mona, younger. Watching a flicker of flame take shape in her reflection. A crown falling. Blood on her hands. Her heart slowing.
And Niki's voice—
"If I become something I can't come back from… you'll be the one who ends it."
Now
She raised the blade.
"I don't want this," she whispered.
He took another step.
"Then come closer."
"I can't."
"You already did," he said, voice cracking.
He dropped to his knees, arms open.
"I'm done fighting you."
The flames around him began to dim.
Mona sobbed once. Then again. Her knees buckled—but she didn't fall.
She walked toward him.
Step by shaking step.
Until she was inches away.
He looked up at her. Eyes glassy. Chest heaving.
"Do it," he whispered.
Mona raised the blade.
And Niki smiled.
"Tell Sunghoon… I hope he dreams of you every night."
"Because I always did."
She drove the blade through his chest.
The world stopped.
The light in his eyes flickered—once.
Then faded.
His body slumped forward into her arms.
And she held him.
Rocked him.
Screamed into the ash.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry."
"I love you."
But it was too late.
Later that night – Lumora
The fires had died.
The blood was washed away by rain.
And the crown of Veylor was buried in the Hollow beneath salt and silence.
Mona stood over the grave. Alone.
She didn't cry anymore.
She just whispered his name—
"Niki."
And then turned away.