Chapter 25: The Sword's Judgment
January 18, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Light exploded from the sword the moment Flora touched it.
A shockwave rippled through the chamber, sending Aestus stumbling backward and forcing the dragon to lower its head with a pained rumble. The runes along the blade flared white‑hot, illuminating the cavern with blinding brilliance.
Flora gritted her teeth as the sword’s power surged through her arm, racing up her spine like liquid fire. Her vision blurred. Her heartbeat thundered.
A voice echoed inside her mind.
“Do you seek vengeance?”
Flora clenched the hilt tighter. “No.”
The voice pressed harder, cold and relentless.
“Do you seek to destroy?”
“No,” she whispered.
“Do you seek justice?”
“Yes.”
The light dimmed slightly.
“Then prove it.”
Images flashed before her eyes — Auron burning, Malum’s twisted face, the old man collapsing, the dragon screaming as the arrow pierced its wing. Pain. Loss. Fear.
And beneath it all… anger.
Flora’s breath shook.
“I won’t let anger guide me,” she said. “I won’t.”
The sword pulsed.
Then the light faded.
Flora opened her eyes.
The Sword of Vengeance rested calmly in her hand — no longer judging, no longer resisting.
It had accepted her.
Aestus exhaled shakily. “You did it.”
Flora nodded, though her hands still trembled. “Now we finish this.”
The dragon lowered its wing, ready to fly.
And they left the Fang of Oblivion behind.
