The Crown's Fire - Chapter 295

Chapter 295: You and He Are One
“What will happen now?” Asura whispered, standing by Levi, her gaze fixed on the ritual grounds not far from where the preparations were underway. Apollo’s body had been placed outside, near the waiting green dragon. The area had been cleared, and only those directly involved in the ritual were allowed near.

Levi glanced at her and nodded, his tone calm yet heavy with concern. “Sis will try to merge the green dragon’s spirit with Uncle Apollo’s. It’s similar to what she did for my brother-in-law.”

“That sounds dangerous,” Asura murmured, a soft sigh escaping her. Her soon to be husband was also part of the ritual, along with five other chosen mages.

Levi turned to her, his expression reassuring yet serious. “Don’t worry. Sis won’t perform the ritual alone. She’ll succeed, especially with Master Kasper assisting her. The green dragon wants this too. It desires to bind itself to Uncle Apollo. It wants to be part of its savior.”

Asura watched Apollo intently, her thoughts swirling. “Is he really that powerful?” she asked softly, her voice laced with a mix of awe and concern.

Levi nodded, his expression serious but proud. “Yes, Master Kasper is incredibly powerful. He’s not an ancient for no reason,” he said with a playful hum, though his eyes were focused on the ritual preparations. “They’ll start the ritual now.”

Levi then reached for her hand and gently grasped it.

Asura smiled at the warmth of his hand in hers. He had grown so much over the years, and despite his playful demeanor, there was a maturity in his eyes that she hadn’t noticed before. He was no longer just the little boy she had once looked after.

Lately, he’d been more thoughtful, more protective… clingier, even. She couldn’t help but notice how he always seemed to be nearby, as if guarding her.

In a way, it felt comforting. She had always looked out for him, but now it seemed the roles had reversed. She squeezed his hand lightly, grateful for his presence, even if she didn’t say it aloud.

Soon, the air started charging with energy as the mages began their chant. Their voices intertwined, creating a harmonious melody that resonated through the slearing. The magical circle they had prepared glowed with a faint, golden light, pulsating like a heartbeat.

At the center of the clearing stood Katelina, her hands glowing softly with divine energy as she prepared to guide the ritual. She orchestrated the delicate balance of life and power.

Katelina glanced at the dragon’s essenceb. The glowing tendrils of green energy shimmered like liquid light, swirling around Apollo’s body, waiting for her command to begin the transfer.

She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and raised her hands.

“Begin the ritual,” she commanded, her voice steady and firm.

The mages’ chants grew louder, their magic amplifying as the energy began to flow. The dragon’s essence surged toward Apollo, its luminous tendrils enveloping him. For a moment, there was only silence, save for the hum of magic in the air.

Ezekiel stood nearby, his gaze flickering between Katelina and Apollo. Despite his worry, he trusted his wife’s instincts. She had always seen more than anyone else.

As the ritual continued, the green energy began to merge with Apollo’s body. His chest rose slightly as if he were taking a deep breath. The glow around him intensified, and for a moment, it seemed as though he might awaken.

A sudden surge of energy ripped through the clearing, startling everyone. Apollo’s body convulsed violently, and the green dragon let out an agonized roar that reverberated through the area, shaking the very ground.

“Hold steady!” Queen Katelina suddenly commanded, her voice cutting through the tension as her glowing hands poured divine energy into stabilizing the ritual. The mages adjusted their chant, their synchronized voices weaving a powerful harmony that counteracted the chaos.

Cora, rushing to Apollo’s side, grabbed his hand with desperate strength, her knuckles turning white. Tears streaked her face as she whispered, “Please… please come back to me, Apollo.”

Meanwhile, Levi quickly stepped closer to the dragon, his voice steady despite the chaos.

“Everything will be fine,” Levi soothed, his tone calm yet firm. “The pain will pass soon. You’re about to find shelter within Uncle Apollo’s body, your chosen host. Focus on his spirit and merge with it.”

Asura watched in awe, her lips parted. She was still amazed by Levi’s unique gift for communicating with dragons, despite not being bound to all of them. His ability to connect with such majestic creatures was nothing short of extraordinary.

The energy in the air swirled wildly, reaching a blinding crescendo. Light danced in chaotic patterns, wrapping around Apollo and the green dragon in brilliant, glowing tendrils. And then, just as suddenly as the surge began, the energy began to subside, the brilliant glow slowly sinking into Apollo’s body like water seeping into the earth.

The green dragon let out a deep, resonant rumble, a sound of finality and peace. Its massive form began to solidify, its shimmering scales gradually transforming into stone. Levi reached out, patting the dragon’s snout gently as its breathing slowed.

“Uncle Apollo will be okay,” Levi murmured, his voice soft yet sure. “Thanks to you. Now, you and he are one.”

As Levi spoke, the transformation completed. The dragon stood motionless, its body now a magnificent stone statue, frozen in a protective stance over Apollo. The clearing fell silent, the tension replaced by an almost sacred stillness. Only the labored breathing of the exhausted mages broke the quiet.

Katelina lowered her glowing hands, her complexion pale and her breathing heavy, though her expression remained composed. She stepped back, her gaze fixed on Apollo.

Cora leaned closer, her heart racing as she gripped Apollo’s hand. “Apollo?” she whispered, her voice trembling with fragile hope.

For a moment, there was nothing but stillness. Then, a faint groan escaped Apollo’s lips, and his fingers twitched ever so slightly. Cora gasped, a sob of relief escaping her as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. She clutched his hand tightly, her heart soaring.

“He’s alive,” Katelina confirmed softly, a faint smile of relief crossing her lips. “But he’ll need time to recover.”

Ezekiel stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You did it,” he said quietly, his pride evident in his tone.

Cora pressed her forehead against Apollo’s hand, her tears now of joy. Her voice broke as she whispered, “Thank you… thank you for coming back to me.”

Around them, the mages began to lower their hands, their chants fading into silence. The green dragon, now an eternal guardian in its stone form, stood as a testament to its sacrifice and bond with Apollo.

For Cora, nothing else mattered in that moment but the faint warmth returning to Apollo’s hand in hers.