☀️ Arselia and Akonia

Finally, the hour had come when everything was to be decided. The hour of the next strike, the moment when Despair would spread its mighty wings, soaring into the heavens like a projectile from an annihilating mega-cannon, with the dark intention of unleashing inevitable Armageddon upon its target for the second time. A sinister point rapidly cuts across the distant horizon like a falling star, and a moment later, a new catastrophe shakes the empire, obliterating settlements and claiming countless innocent lives, its echoes immediately reverberating throughout the territory of Welfern. Is everything going according to plan? A necessary sacrifice? Erephir didn't say anything about it, but it was already crystal clear. In full combat readiness, Carneol, through the magic of Princess Naera, teleported directly to the epicenter of the events. A mountainous area, riddled with cracks and rock debris, now covering a familiar-looking crater – just minutes ago, ordinary, peaceful life was likely bustling here; now, only an empty space remains, with no people or beasts. It seemed even the air had frozen still in the shadow of what had happened, although the mournful whistle of the wind could still be heard, slowly carrying wisps of smoke and clouds of dust away from the ruins of Kridear. Only he, the culprit of this grim apocalypse of destruction, towered as a monstrous silhouette over the band of brave heroes. These were the same people as the numerous victims of Despair, but today, Anush herself favors them, and marked with the blessings of her elemental singularities, they rush into battle just as a wounded world clenches a punishing hand into an iron fist, delivering deserved retribution to the awakened ancient evil. It was all quite quick. Divine immunity struck at the heart of the plague, the wrath of the elements of the universe unleashed in a storm and the onslaught of comrades upon the blasphemous abomination. Uttering a final, furious, bestial roar that echoed across the surroundings like thunder, the monstrous beast crashed to the ground, its belly split open, and the earth trembled from its fall. Is it all over? Garrett, who had already loaded the next bolt into his crossbow, didn't take his eyes off the dragon form that had only just been soaring so unrestrainedly and menacingly. Adrenaline was still pumping blood through his veins at an incredible speed, even though the lifeless Despair lay motionless at their feet; the charged asterec remained on alert, ready to deliver as many follow-up shots to the shameless monster as necessary. And only when Erephir began to devour the dead carcass did he calm down a little and allow himself to take a deep breath. What's next? And then, the redhead extracted the apostle's stone heart. Garrett managed to notice how, once exposed to the light, it burst from her hands, but no one had time to react – the Carneols were engulfed in darkness. ... The images of the repulsive feast stubbornly clung to his returning consciousness. Garrett shook his head, slapped himself on the cheeks, took a few deep breaths, trying to dispel the nauseating vision. His companions were in a similar state, but their little friends were less fortunate – the darkness proved fatal for them. Looking at Beata's tears and Erephir's momentarily drawn face, the former rogue muttered some curses under his breath and, carefully avoiding the unsightly remains of the cold ones, kicked the hopeless apostolic carcass with all his might, which even in its death throes spewed its black filth at them. Having discharged his emotions in this way, the asterec tried to concentrate on the next steps. "Well, the nightmare that has befallen Welfern has played its final chord," he said, placing a hand on the leader's shoulder. "It's time to go home."