The dawn stretched golden and warm over the eastern pass, painting the mountains in hues of amber and rose. The armies stood in silence, their weapons lowered, their eyes fixed on the horizon where the darkness had vanished. The air was clean and fresh, washed free of the ancient malevolence that had threatened to consume them all.Kai remained on his knees, his son still cradled against his chest. The baby slept peacefully, his small face relaxed and content. The golden light that had blazed from him was gone, but a soft warmth lingered, pulsing gently in time with his heartbeat. Kai pressed a kiss to the small forehead and let out a long, shuddering breath.Darius knelt beside him, his arm wrapped around Kai's shoulders. "You were magnificent. Both of you. I have never seen anything so powerful."Kai looked up at him, his eyes red and swollen from crying. "I did nothing. It was him. He did it. He is just a baby, and he saved us all."Darius reached out and touched their son's cheek.
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