The New Order in Elris

The days after Valerius's fall were not without conflict. With the throne reclaimed, new questions emerged.

The most serious of these had to do with the freed humans, half-breeds, and defected demons stood who were currently side by side in the courtyards, but mistrust between them ran deep due to the demon blood that flowed in the latter two races.

Many of the freed human citizens demanded separation, unwilling to accept those who shared the blood of the demons still terrorizing other countries.

Meetings filled the throne room, packed with newly appointed officials and representatives. Stella, wearing her crown and her calmest face, presided over each and every one of these meetings almost daily while working tirelessly to find a solution.

Often her father sat beside her, but it was her voice that carried the most weight during these discussions.

She listened patiently to grievances, reassured the frightened, and reminded them of the cost their freedom had not only to the human side but also to all those demons and demi-humans who died for their freedom.

With every day that passed, she had already become more than just their queen; she was their shield and leader.

Still, even her light could not dissolve every shadow of doubt that seeped through the new kingdom.

To ease tensions, Stella and Renar decreed that, for now, the groups would be divided into different quarters of the city and trained in separate barracks. It was a compromise, one that prevented blades from being drawn in the streets, but the unease remained like a festering wound.

Roland, who often avoided these discussions, but could not ignore what he saw when he walked among the people. He watched them argue in the markets, in the training fields, and even in the farmlands, where some refused to let their produce be touched by "the other kind."

This is humanity's first foothold back in the world, Roland thought grimly. And yet, they cannot even stand beside those who helped free them.

As their liberator, the one who had bled and fought to make this kingdom possible again, he found himself at a loss. He was not the best with words and could not force open closed hearts and minds.

He had tried many times, but sooner or later, the problems would return; he really did not know how to change their minds.

It was Renar who found a way to seize this problem, at least temporarily.

Working tirelessly and methodically, he began not only restructuring the army but also reorganizing the city itself. He oversaw where new towns would be populated, and even how merchants would supply them.

But even Renar admitted that his work became easier because of Stella and the way she handled people.

Her mere presence calmed tempers and soothed most disputes with only a few words. Those words carried such weight that even the ones who distrusted her, or questioned her place as queen in her brother's stead, could not bring themselves to argue.

She had truly become the voice of Elris's rebirth.

He drafted new formations that included not only humans but half-breeds who had already proven their loyalty. Day after day, he worked directly with the platoons, drilling into them the truth, that they would need one another to survive.

The war was far from over, and Elris would need every soldier to liberate the neighboring lands.

Fortifications were raised in every corner of the reclaimed city, new outposts established to guard against counterattacks. At the same time, Renar began drafting plans for the campaigns still to come, for the lands that remained beneath vampire control and the red mist that still lingered on the horizon.

Elris had been reborn, but it was not yet at peace. It was a city standing on the edge, a fortress preparing for the next war, and at its center stood Stella Helstin, a queen whose strength held the fragile pieces together.

Norelli's Path

Not everyone stayed within the city. Norelli, the eccentric vampire scientist, announced that he would continue his work in the volcano north of Elris.

"I've already lost a lot of work due to the vampires running away after the red mist was dispelled," he complained while carting away stacks of papers and vials. "But my research is essential. If we can adapt our kind to live under the sun, then there may yet be hope for coexistence..."

Roland didn't fully trust him, but Norelli had fought at their side and saved lives.

More importantly, he had chosen a subject to aid his experiments, a promising young girl whose name he never spoke. "My most promising subject," Norelli had called her. "If she survives, she may bridge the gap between what we are and what we should be."

Roland remembered her face from his visits to the scientist's lair, when he had delivered supplies or checked on the eccentric vampire's progress. She was striking, almost fragile in her beauty, and yet there was strength in her eyes.

He often wondered what the future held for her.

On his final visit, Roland carried with him something Norelli had desperately requested: the heart of Valerius Duskbane. A prince's heart, with the blood of a progenitor. Roland was told to save it beforehand; he had to hide it from others so they wouldn't ask for his motive when he killed the vampire.

Norelli had stared at it with wild fascination, clutching it as though it were the most precious jewel in the world. "With this… the experiment may finally succeed," he murmured.

Roland handed it over in silence, uncertain whether he had just given Norelli a tool for salvation or for disaster.

Roland's Journey

One night, Roland stood with Stella on the balcony overlooking the newly rebuilt city.

It was only about a month, and the fires of war had been quenched in most of Elris by now.

The two were looking far into the distance, lanterns and torches, as citizens began to settle for the night.

For the first time in decades, Elris was back to being a suitable kingdom to live in again.

Stella leaned against him, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. "Stay, Roland. Even just for a little more..."

"I can't," he said softly. His gaze wandered west, where the land was still tainted crimson.

"I am far from having my full power… and I can't keep pushing that back. Imagine how many people are dying every day, how the demons are preparing to strike at what we've built.

Until my power is restored, I cannot be at peace, knowing I won't be able to face whatever they throw at us. This victory was only one of many battles, but it is not the end of the war."

Her fingers tightened around his hand, and she gave a small, bittersweet smile. "Then at least know you're not leaving me behind empty-handed." She guided his hand gently to her stomach.

Roland froze, his breath catching. Stella's smile widened as tears welled in her eyes. "You're going to be a father."

For once, Roland found no words. The intensity of that moment struck him harder than any blade or spell ever had. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. Now he had more than duty to fight for; he had a promise to return, no matter what.

As soon as they passed through the castle gates, Lucien and Morrag fell into step beside him. Lucien clasped Roland's arm firmly. "Lead the way, brother. We will continue to fight at your side. Consider us your blade, at least until we can build something of our own."

Morrag smirked, crimson eyes glinting. Though she had grown closer to Roland during the siege, doubt still lingered in her gaze. Yet, for the sake of Lucien and the love she bore him, she promised her loyalty towards the hero.

At least for now.

Renar and Zavar remained behind, already directing troops in the new fortresses. "We will keep Elris standing until your return," Renar said. "So, you can focus on your task without worrying about your wife."

Roland gave a single nod.

He looked back once, taking in the sight of the banners fluttering above the reclaimed city, the people already at work rebuilding streets and homes. Stella's figure remained at the fortress walls, her hand raised in farewell.

The cloak was fastened tightly at his neck, its dark folds faintly waving around his shoulders, while his holy spear gleamed in his grip. Roland turned westward. Beyond the horizon lay the Nomad Fields, and within them, the domain of the Earth Spirit.

The road ahead would be long, and the battles even harder without the support of his closest allies or the commander who had guided him through countless trials.

But there was still one he could always rely on: Elios, who still whispered in his thoughts and who had promised him strength once the demons were purged from Elris.

With family waiting for his return, Roland stepped forward.

The war for the world had only just begun.