Chapter 44: Rebuilding Black Mountain
The night remained peaceful.
The war had ended.
The hatred.
The destruction.
The suffering.
Everything had finally faded into history.
For the first time in years, the world was quiet.
No screams echoed across the land.
No armies marched beneath the sky.
No burning cities stained the horizon.
The endless conflict that had consumed countless lives was finally over.
The moon hung high above the world, bathing everything in silver light.
A gentle breeze flowed through the night.
The stars glittered peacefully overhead.
It was almost difficult to believe that only days ago the world had stood on the edge of destruction.
Yet now-
There was peace.
High above the ruined remains of Black Mountain, Vlox and Astraith remained locked in an embrace beneath the moonlight.
Neither of them spoke.
There was no need.
After everything they had endured, words felt unnecessary.
The silence between them wasn’t awkward.
It wasn’t empty.
It was warm.
Comfortable.
The kind of silence that only existed between two people who knew each other completely.
A silence built upon trust.
Upon understanding.
Upon love.
Vlox gently rested his chin on Astraith’s head while she leaned against his chest.
Far below them, the shattered remains of Black Mountain stretched endlessly.
The once majestic mountain had been reduced to ruins during the war.
Broken stone covered the land.
Ancient forests had vanished.
The beautiful castle they once called home no longer existed.
Yet despite everything, neither of them felt sadness.
Because they were together.
And for now, that was enough.
Several minutes passed peacefully.
Eventually, Astraith tilted her head upward.
Her golden eyes met Vlox’s bloody red eyes ones.
A playful smile appeared on her face.
"So..."
Vlox raised an eyebrow.
A familiar expression.
"So?"
Astraith pointed toward the destroyed mountain below.
"When are you going to rebuild our home?"
Vlox followed her gaze.
His eyes settled upon the ruins.
For several moments, he simply stared.
The broken mountain.
The destroyed forests.
The remains of the castle.
All of it had once held countless memories.
Then a faint smile appeared on his face.
"I suppose it’s time."
The moment those words left his mouth, Astraith’s eyes sparkled.
The excitement on her face was impossible to hide.
Vlox couldn’t help chuckling.
"You really want the castle back that badly?"
"Of course!"
She folded her arms dramatically.
"I miss my room."
Vlox stared at her.
"You mean the giant room you only used to sleep in."
"It was important."
"You slept eighteen hours a day."
Astraith immediately pointed at herself.
"I am a Celestial Dragon."
"Fair point."
Astraith nodded proudly.
"As expected."
Vlox shook his head in amusement.
Then he slowly raised his right hand.
The moment he did-
Reality trembled.
Not violently.
Not destructively.
Gently.
As though existence itself had noticed its creator moving.
The stars overhead seemed to shine brighter.
The wind vanished.
The world became still.
Everything paused.
As if reality itself held its breath.
Then-
Black Mountain began to rise.
Astraith’s eyes widened.
Far below, the shattered landscape started healing.
Massive pieces of earth lifted from the ground.
Broken cliffs reformed.
Ancient valleys returned.
Cracked rivers healed themselves and began flowing once again.
Water sparkled beneath the moonlight as streams raced through the land.
Life returned.
Millions upon millions of trees erupted from the earth.
Entire forests appeared within seconds.
Flowers bloomed across endless fields.
Grass spread like a green ocean.
The devastation left behind by war slowly disappeared.
Every broken piece of the world was restored.
Not instantly.
Not carelessly.
But with incredible precision.
As though an artist was painting a masterpiece.
Every mountain.
Every river.
Every tree.
Every flower.
Perfect.
Astraith watched everything happen in complete awe.
Even after spending an entire year beside Vlox-
Even after witnessing countless impossible things-
Moments like this still amazed her.
Because no matter how often she saw it-
Creation itself remained beautiful.
Seven seconds later-
Black Mountain stood once again.
Majestic.
Proud.
Beautiful.
The enormous mountain towered beneath the night sky exactly as it had before the war.
Not a single scar remained.
Astraith smiled brightly.
Then Vlox pointed toward the mountain peak.
And something incredible happened.
Golden light gathered above the summit.
Countless particles danced through the air.
Then-
A castle emerged from the light itself.
Tower after tower appeared.
Golden walls formed.
Crystal windows materialized.
Massive gates rose proudly.
Elegant gardens unfolded around the structure.
Beautiful fountains appeared.
Courtyards.
Libraries.
Balconies.
Training grounds.
Every detail returned.
Exactly as it had been.
Stone by stone.
Room by room.
Memory by memory.
The castle slowly took shape beneath the moonlight until it stood proudly atop Black Mountain once more.
When the reconstruction was complete-
Silence returned.
Astraith stared at the castle.
For a moment, she looked completely speechless.
Countless memories flashed through her mind.
The first day she arrived.
The countless meals they shared.
The lazy afternoons.
The peaceful nights.
The moments that transformed a castle into a home.
Then tears appeared in her eyes.
Vlox blinked.
"...Astraith?"
The Celestial Dragon immediately wiped her face.
"I’m not crying."
"You are literally crying."
"I’m not."
"There are tears on your face."
"Those don’t count."
Vlox laughed.
Astraith immediately punched his arm.
The punch accomplished absolutely nothing.
So she punched him again.
Still nothing.
"Idiot."
Her voice was softer this time.
More sincere.
More emotional.
"Thank you."
Vlox’s expression softened.
Then he extended his hand toward her.
"Shall we go home?"
Astraith immediately grabbed it.
A bright smile appeared on her face.
"Let’s go."
A few minutes later-
The two stood inside the castle’s grand dining hall.
Everything looked exactly the same.
The giant chandeliers illuminated the room with warm golden light.
The polished marble floors reflected the glow.
Beautiful decorations covered the walls.
Massive pillars stretched toward the ceiling.
The long dining table remained where it had always been.
Everything was familiar.
Everything felt right.
Astraith spun in a circle while looking around excitedly.
"It really is the same."
"Of course it is."
"You didn’t forget anything?"
"No."
"Not even one thing?"
"No."
Astraith smiled happily.
Then suddenly-
Her stomach growled.
Loudly.
Very loudly.
The sound echoed throughout the entire dining hall.
Silence followed.
Vlox slowly turned toward her.
Astraith froze.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Without hesitation, she pointed at him.
"That was you."
Vlox stared.
"It was not."
"It was definitely you."
"Astraith."
"Yes?"
"You’re hungry."
"...Maybe."
Vlox sighed.
Astraith smiled sheepishly.
The truth was simple.
Neither of them had eaten properly during the war.
And Astraith absolutely loved food.
Especially food made by Vlox.
Vlox shook his head.
"Come."
"Where?"
"The kitchen."
Astraith’s eyes immediately lit up.
"Food?"
"Food."
The Celestial Dragon practically teleported.
Inside the massive castle kitchen-
Vlox rolled up his sleeves.
Meanwhile, Astraith immediately sat down nearby.
Ready.
Waiting.
Watching.
Her eyes never left him.
Like a predator waiting for prey.
Vlox glanced toward her.
"You know..."
"What?"
"You’re looking at me like you’re about to attack."
"I’m looking at food."
"I haven’t even started cooking."
"Exactly."
Vlox sighed once again.
Then he began preparing ingredients.
Fresh vegetables appeared.
Rare spices appeared.
Premium cuts of meat appeared.
Rice.
Fruit.
Herbs.
Everything materialized instantly.
Soon, the kitchen became filled with delicious aromas.
The scent of spices drifted through the air.
Butter melted.
Vegetables sizzled.
Meat roasted perfectly.
Astraith’s tail swayed excitedly behind her.
Her eyes sparkled.
Her mouth watered.
Several times she nearly attempted to steal food before it was finished.
Each time Vlox stopped her with a single look.
Eventually, dish after dish appeared.
Golden butter naan.
Spicy chicken curry.
Herb-roasted chicken.
Honey glazed meat.
Fried rice.
Creamy mushroom soup.
Fresh fruit pie.
And many more.
The dining table slowly disappeared beneath the feast.
Astraith looked ready to cry from happiness.
Finally-
The feast was complete.
The table was completely covered.
Vlox looked at Astraith.
Astraith looked at Vlox.
Then she pointed at the food.
"Can I start?"
"Go ahead."
Those were dangerous words.
The moment permission was granted-
Astraith attacked.
Not physically.
The food.
Within seconds she grabbed roasted chicken.
Then naan.
Then curry.
Then rice.
Then soup.
Then more chicken.
Vlox watched in disbelief.
"Astraith."
"Mhm?"
"You haven’t breathed in three minutes."
"Mhm."
"Are you listening?"
"Mhm."
"You ate half the chicken."
"Mhm."
Vlox laughed.
The Celestial Dragon continued eating.
And eating.
And eating.
The feast steadily disappeared.
Plates emptied one after another.
Eventually, she finally stopped.
Nearly seventy percent of the food was gone.
Vlox stared.
Astraith smiled proudly.
"What?"
"You ate enough food to feed an entire kingdom."
"I’m a Celestial Dragon."
"That’s becoming your excuse for everything."
"It works."
Vlox opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Because unfortunately-
She was right.
Later that evening-
The two sat together on one of the castle balconies overlooking Black Mountain.
The moon remained high above.
The night sky glittered with countless stars.
A cool breeze flowed gently through the air.
The rebuilt forests stretched endlessly below.
The rivers sparkled beneath moonlight.
Everything looked alive once more.
Astraith happily ate fruit pie.
Meanwhile, Vlox quietly enjoyed a cup of tea.
Neither of them felt the need to rush.
For the first time in a very long time-
Life felt peaceful.
Then Astraith suddenly spoke.
"Vlox."
"Yes?"
"Let’s go on a date tomorrow."
Vlox blinked.
"A date?"
"Yes."
"We’ve been together for a year."
"And?"
"We literally live together."
"And?"
"We spend every day together."
"And?"
Vlox sighed.
Astraith smiled triumphantly.
"I want a proper date."
"A proper date."
"Yes."
Vlox considered it for a moment.
Then a smile appeared on his face.
"Alright."
Astraith’s eyes immediately sparkled.
"Really?"
"Really."
The Celestial Dragon instantly hugged him.
"Best husband ever."
Vlox laughed.
The sound echoed throughout Black Mountain.
Far below-
The rebuilt forests swayed beneath the moonlight.
The rivers flowed peacefully once more.
The flowers bloomed again.
The mountain had returned.
The castle had returned.
And little by little-
The wounds left behind by war were beginning to heal.
Tomorrow would be different.
Tomorrow would not be about battles.
Or enemies.
Or destruction.
Tomorrow would simply be about two people.
A husband.
And his wife.
Enjoying a peaceful day together.
Far away from war.
Far away from responsibility.
Far away from everything.
Just Vlox.
And Astraith.