Chapter 45: A Day Beneath a Peaceful Sky
Morning arrived peacefully over Black Mountain.
Golden sunlight poured across the vast landscape like liquid gold, illuminating the endless forests that stretched beyond the horizon, The rivers that wound through the valleys sparkled beneath the early morning light, reflecting fragments of the awakening sky.
A gentle breeze drifted through the trees.
Leaves rustled softly.
Birds sang from hidden branches.
For the first time in years, the world felt truly alive.
The war was over.
The battlefields that had once been stained with blood were beginning to heal.
The scars left upon the land remained, but nature was slowly reclaiming them.
No armies marched across the plains.
No smoke rose from burning cities.
No desperate cries echoed beneath the heavens.
Only peace remained.
A rare and precious peace.
High atop Black Mountain, the restored castle stood proudly beneath the morning sun.
Its crystal windows reflected golden light.
Its towering spires pierced the clouds.
Its gardens bloomed once more.
Everything seemed calm.
Well...
Almost everything.
A tremendous crash suddenly shattered the silence.
CLANG!
Another followed.
BANG!
Then another.
CRASH!
Birds exploded from nearby trees in terror.
Several servants created by Vlox’s magic immediately vanished from the area.
A few seconds later, a familiar voice echoed throughout the castle.
"VLOX!"
Inside the royal bedroom, Vlox slowly opened his eyes.
Silence.
He stared at the ceiling.
Motionless.
Expressionless.
The look of a man who already knew exactly what was happening.
Another crash echoed through the castle.
Then came another shout.
"VLOX!"
He closed his eyes.
For a brief moment, he considered ignoring reality.
Unfortunately, reality refused to be ignored.
A distant explosion echoed from somewhere below.
Vlox sighed.
A long sigh.
The sigh of someone who had lived long enough to understand that some battles could never truly be won.
"She’s awake."
Several minutes later, he walked through the castle halls and approached the kitchen.
The moment he stepped inside-
He froze.
The scene before him was horrifying.
Flour covered nearly every surface.
The floor looked as though a snowstorm had passed through it.
Eggshells were scattered everywhere.
Several cooking pots somehow hung from the ceiling.
One cabinet door had completely vanished.
A table was upside down.
Another was missing entirely.
A frying pan was embedded in a wall.
Vlox stared.
Then he slowly looked toward the center of the disaster.
There stood Astraith.
Covered from head to toe in flour.
Her silver hair was white.
Her face was white.
Even her dress was white.
Only her golden eyes remained visible.
The celestial dragon smiled proudly.
"Good morning."
Vlox remained silent.
Astraith remained silent.
Several seconds passed.
Then Vlox finally spoke.
"...What happened?"
Astraith blinked.
"I was making breakfast."
Vlox slowly looked around the ruined kitchen.
His gaze traveled across the destroyed furniture.
The broken dishes.
The smoke rising from somewhere behind her.
Then he looked back.
"This?"
"Yes."
"This is breakfast?"
"Technically."
Vlox rubbed his forehead.
The celestial dragon immediately pointed toward a nearby plate.
"I made pancakes."
Vlox followed her finger.
The pancakes were completely black.
Not slightly burnt.
Not overcooked.
Black.
Smoke still rose from them.
One appeared to be glowing faintly.
Vlox wasn’t entirely sure it was safe to stand near them.
Astraith crossed her arms.
"They looked better before."
"I’m sure they did."
She pouted.
Vlox failed to suppress a laugh.
The celestial dragon immediately became embarrassed.
"Stop laughing."
"I’m trying."
"You’re failing."
"Very badly."
Astraith narrowed her eyes.
Then she grabbed a spoon.
Vlox immediately became cautious.
Not because he feared being injured.
A spoon thrown by Astraith couldn’t hurt him.
But the castle certainly wouldn’t survive the impact.
Instead, she held up a piece of pancake.
"Try it."
"No."
"Try it."
"Astraith."
"Try it."
The celestial dragon’s golden eyes sparkled.
That expression alone told him resistance was futile.
Slowly, Vlox accepted his fate.
He took a bite.
Silence followed.
Astraith watched him closely.
Vlox continued chewing.
Then stopped.
The dragon leaned forward.
"Well?"
Vlox looked directly into her eyes.
His expression became unusually serious.
"I love you."
Astraith blinked.
"What does that have to do with the pancake?"
"Everything."
The realization struck immediately.
Her face turned red.
"IT’S NOT THAT BAD!"
Vlox burst into laughter.
Astraith launched the spoon.
The projectile shattered against his forehead.
The spoon exploded.
Vlox remained unharmed.
The dragon groaned dramatically.
"This is unfair."
"You literally destroyed the kitchen."
"I was trying to surprise you."
"You nearly declared war on breakfast."
Astraith looked away.
"...Maybe."
The corners of Vlox’s lips lifted slightly.
Then he stepped forward and gently patted her head.
Instantly, the calestial dragon calmed down.
The transformation was immediate.
It was almost impressive.
"Come on."
"Where?"
"We’re going on a date."
The failed breakfast vanished from Astraith’s mind instantly.
Her eyes lit up brighter than the morning sun.
"Really?"
"Really."
The dragon disappeared.
Not figuratively.
Actually disappeared.
One moment she was standing there.
The next she was gone.
Vlox stared at the empty spot.
Then slowly looked around the ruined kitchen.
"..."
Another sigh escaped him.
With a simple wave of his hand-
Reality corrected itself.
The flour vanished.
The broken furniture returned.
The shattered dishes repaired themselves.
Within seconds, the kitchen looked untouched.
As though the disaster had never happened.
Only Vlox and the universe would ever know the truth.
An hour later-
The two stood outside the castle gates.
Astraith looked unusually beautiful.
Even Vlox had to admit it.
The celestial dragon wore a flowing white dress embroidered with delicate golden patterns.
Her silver hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of moonlight.
The morning breeze gently carried several loose strands through the air.
Her golden eyes sparkled with excitement.
Pure excitement.
The excitement of someone who had been waiting for this all night.
Vlox found himself staring.
Astraith noticed immediately.
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
"What?"
"You look beautiful."
The effect was immediate.
The celestial dragon froze.
Completely froze.
Her brain visibly stopped functioning.
Then her face turned bright red.
Vlox smiled.
Astraith looked away.
"You’re cheating."
"What?"
"You can’t just say things like that."
"I just did."
The blush deepened.
"Idiot."
Vlox chuckled softly.
Then he held out his hand.
Astraith grabbed it without hesitation.
Their fingers intertwined naturally.
Comfortably.
As though they had always belonged together.
And together-
They began walking down Black Mountain.
Like an ordinary couple.
Not gods.
Not legends.
Not beings capable of reshaping reality itself.
Just a husband and wife enjoying a peaceful morning.
Something both of them valued more than any power.
Their first destination was a nearby human settlement.
A town that had somehow survived the horrors of war.
As they approached, signs of rebuilding could be seen everywhere.
Workers repaired damaged homes.
Merchants reopened stores.
Children played in streets once filled with fear.
Life was returning.
Slowly.
But surely.
The moment Vlox entered town-
Everything stopped.
Conversations ended.
People froze.
Several individuals dropped whatever they were carrying.
Others simply stared.
Because everyone recognized him.
The hero who ended the war.
The being who defeated Kajkha.
The savior of humanity.
The impossible existence who stood above legends.
Meanwhile-
Astraith had noticed something far more important.
Food.
Her nose twitched.
Then her eyes widened dramatically.
"Vlox."
"Hm?"
"I smell food."
Vlox immediately understood.
The dragon pointed toward the end of the street.
"There."
Smoke rose from a restaurant chimney.
The scent of grilled meat drifted through the air.
Astraith looked like an explorer discovering hidden treasure.
Vlox laughed.
"Let’s go."
That was all she needed.
The celestial dragon immediately dragged him toward the restaurant.
Inside, the restaurant owner nearly fainted after recognizing Vlox.
Fortunately, Vlox quickly reassured him.
Soon, the two sat near a large window overlooking the street.
A waiter approached nervously.
"What would you like?"
Before Vlox could answer-
Astraith spoke.
"Everything."
The waiter froze.
"...Everything?"
"Everything."
"Astraith."
"What?"
"Leave some food for the other customers."
The dragon pouted.
Eventually they placed an actual order.
Though it remained enormous.
Grilled beef.
Honey-glazed chicken.
Spicy roasted lamb.
Butter naan.
Vegetable soup.
Seafood rice.
Fruit juice.
Berry pie.
Apple tart.
And many more dishes.
The waiter looked increasingly terrified with every item added.
Thirty minutes later-
The food arrived.
Astraith stared.
The table disappeared beneath mountains of food.
Her eyes sparkled.
Her entire body radiated happiness.
Vlox recognized that expression immediately.
It was the same look she wore whenever she discovered a new dessert.
The dragon picked up a piece of honey-glazed chicken.
Took a bite.
Then froze.
Several seconds passed.
Her eyes widened.
"This is amazing."
Vlox smiled.
Then she grabbed another piece.
Then another.
Then another.
The restaurant slowly became silent.
Everyone watched.
Because Astraith was eating at a speed that defied common sense.
Dish after dish vanished.
The dragon looked genuinely happy.
Every bite made her smile.
Every new flavor made her eyes shine.
The berry pie nearly brought tears to her eyes.
Meanwhile, Vlox quietly observed her.
A soft smile remained on his face.
Eventually Astraith noticed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You’re staring."
"You look happy."
The calestial dragon paused.
Then smiled.
A sincere smile.
One without jokes.
Without playfulness.
Without embarrassment.
Just honesty.
"I am."
She reached across the table and grabbed his hand.
"This is nice."
Vlox looked at her.
The sincerity surprised him.
Because she wasn’t talking about the food.
She was talking about everything.
The date.
The peace.
The freedom.
Being together.
Without war.
Without responsibility.
Just the two of them.
For several moments-
Neither spoke.
Then Astraith ruined the emotional atmosphere.
"Can we order more pie?"
Vlox laughed.
Of course.
"Yes."
The dragon immediately brightened.
The rest of the day passed peacefully.
They wandered through the town.
Visited markets.
Explored shops.
Spoke with merchants.
Watched musicians perform.
Observed children playing in open streets.
Experienced the simple life they had fought so hard to protect.
At one point-
A little girl approached Astraith.
The dragon blinked.
The child nervously held out a flower.
"For you."
Astraith froze.
The little girl’s hands trembled slightly.
Yet she continued smiling.
"Thank you for protecting us."
For a brief moment-
Astraith didn’t know what to say.
The war had changed countless lives.
Many people had suffered.
Many had died.
Yet here stood a child capable of smiling.
Capable of hoping.
Capable of dreaming about tomorrow.
Slowly, Astraith accepted the flower.
A warm smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you."
The little girl beamed before running away.
Astraith stared at the flower.
For a long time.
Then she looked toward Vlox.
Her eyes seemed softer than before.
The war had taken many things.
But moments like this reminded her why it had been worth fighting.
As evening approached-
The two arrived at a hill overlooking Black Mountain.
The setting sun painted the world in shades of gold and orange.
The forests stretched endlessly across the horizon.
The rivers reflected crimson light.
The distant castle stood proudly atop the mountain.
Everything looked peaceful.
Beautiful.
Timeless.
Astraith sat beside Vlox.
For a while-
Neither spoke.
They simply watched the sunset together.
The wind moved gently through the grass.
The sky slowly darkened.
Stars began appearing one by one.
Eventually Astraith leaned against his shoulder.
A comfortable silence settled between them.
Then she smiled.
"This was fun."
Vlox looked at her.
"Only fun?"
Astraith considered the question.
Then slowly shook her head.
"No."
Her smile became warmer.
More genuine.
"It was perfect."
For a brief moment-
Neither looked away.
The world seemed smaller.
Quieter.
As though only the two of them existed.
Then Astraith’s stomach growled.
Loudly.
Very loudly.
The silence shattered instantly.
Vlox blinked.
Astraith blinked.
"..."
"..."
"...I’m hungry again."
Vlox burst into laughter.
The calestial dragon immediately turned red.
"STOP LAUGHING!"
"You ate enough food for an army."
"That was hours ago!"
"Astraith."
"What?"
"You’re impossible."
The dragon smiled proudly.
"I know."
As the final rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon-
Their laughter echoed across Black Mountain.
The sound carried through forests.
Across rivers.
Into the endless sky above.
And for the first time since the war ended-
The future felt bright.
Not because of power.
Not because of destiny.
Not because of victory.
But because peace had finally returned.
And beneath that peaceful sky-
Vlox and Astraith were finally free to live the life they had fought so hard to protect.
A simple life.
A happy life.
Together.