67. Arcady: A Fading Light

Arcady wakes nauseated from the Elixir comedown in their dormitory, where Willem, Damon, and Rahela stand watch per the healers’ request. They piece together that it is midday and that they have not been exposed as Struck. Damon restrains Willem from overloading Arcady with news, promising explanations later.

Rahela lingers to share that she won the Trials but feels hollow; Edin never returned and is being called dead, while Sorin also failed to come back. Arcady, balancing truths and lies, asks Rahela to keep Sorin’s departure from the priesthood secret and offers sincere congratulations, encouraging her to honor both grief and achievement.

Alone, Arcady discovers in the mirror that their Struck marks have almost vanished, wondering if Elixir, the storm, or the bond with Everen caused it—and glimpsing hope that a refined Elixir could help other Strike survivors. A lavender-scented plate bears Kelwyn’s note, a tentative peace offering. Everen calls to Arcady through their bond, and Arcady slips out of the Citadel’s secret exit with supplies despite lingering weakness.

Outside Vatra at the Royal Forest’s edge, Arcady finds Everen. He shifts to preterit form and they reunite with fierce affection, their mental link amplifying closeness. Afterward, Everen returns to dragon shape to give them space as they rest together beneath his wing, echoing an earlier night of fear now replaced with safety.

In the quiet, Everen’s grief for dragonkind resurfaces: no word from Cassia or fate, dwindling numbers, and no new eggs for years. Arcady shares the weight of that loss, uncertain what future a last dragon has in the human world, and holds him as they finally fall into dreamless sleep.