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Chapter 29 - Chapter 29: The City That Burned Me, and the Choice That Killed Who I Was

Sakamoto's Age: 4.5Location: Harrow's ReachTime: MidnightSky: Blood red, cracked by glyphsStatus: Collapse

Opening Line:

Some people are born from fire.Others are born because of it.

The Attack Begins

A pulse rang out from the citadel's highest tower.

It shattered every spell-ward in the city.Made every mage vomit mana.

Soldiers screamed.

Citizens ran.

The Eye & Spiral burned across the walls.

And from the cathedral steps…

Cavell removed his mask.

"He was never meant to be saved," he said."Only tested. And if he survives this… then he earns his name."

Aelira's Last Spell

Aelira stood in the corridor, gripping her chest.She was glowing — too bright. Too raw. Too broken.

"You can't use that," Ravian said."Your heart's not stabilized."

"If I don't, he dies."

"If you do, you die."

She looked up, tear-stained and determined.

"Then it's worth it."

Sakamoto Loses Her

Cavell's spell detonated the east wing.

Sakamoto was thrown through fire and dust.

He crawled across cracked stone, blood on his lips.

"Aelira!"

She stood at the end of the hall, holding the unstable spell in her hands.

"Don't come closer," she whispered.

"Stop—please!"

"This is what I'm meant for. This is what the glyphs were counting down to."

"You're not a weapon!"

"No. I'm your shield."

She smiled.

And released the spell.

The City Breaks

The explosion didn't kill her instantly.

It slowed time.Warped mana.Tore open the veil between worlds.

And in that moment — Sakamoto screamed so hard his Core Class finally triggered.

Not because he chose it.

Because pain chose for him.

The Death of Childhood

He reached her too late.

Held her in his arms.

Not gone.But fading.

Aelira looked at him with peace.

"You were always worth dying for."

"Don't say that—"

"Say my name. One more time."

"Aelira."

She smiled.

Then closed her eyes.

Final Scene – The Ash Crown Rises

As Harrow's Reach burned…

Lyssia stood at the far gate.

She didn't smile.

Didn't cry.

Just watched the boy kneeling in the ruin.

And whispered:

"Now you understand.Now you can become the monster they need you to be."

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