Chapter133

Linora's POV

Two years had been a long time—long enough to calm the storm within me.

From the initial confusion and grief to the courage to rebuild myself, these years had been a journey of piecing together everything that was shattered. And through it all, Chad had stayed by my side. Quietly and constantly, he cared for me, his presence a steady anchor in the chaos.

I had heard the elders in my family speak of Necrobind when I was younger. They warned of its dire cost: a perilous spell that demanded two sorcerers to sacrifice their lives, each making a wish to restore a soul from death. But the price was steep. If those wishes went unfulfilled, the resurrected soul would suffer a backlash—a torment worse than death.

Chad's wish was simple: for me to be happy.

And that wish hung over me like an unspoken promise. If I wasn't happy, my soul would face the wrath of the curse. Chad had understood this better than anyone. That's why he was always there, gently reminding me to learn how to live again, to love myself, to find peace in a world that had once been nothing but loss.

Two years later, I finally found the strength to move forward. With tentative hope for the future, I climbed into a flightcraft and set my course for Tirfothuinn—a place I had never been able to enter in my previous life.

As the craft descended onto the sandy shores near the Sanctuarium, I felt a strange mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

The soft hum of the engines faded as I stepped out onto the ground, my boots sinking slightly into the cool sand. This was it—Tirfothuinn, a place I had only ever imagined. Last time, the Demon blood coursing through my veins had prevented me from entering this sanctuary.

But now, there was no resistance, no suffocating weight or searing pain.

For the first time, I could step onto this soil without fear.

The realization filled me with a quiet relief, and my steps grew more confident as I ventured further.

As soon as I crossed the threshold into Tirfothuinn, my breath caught. The beauty of this place was unlike anything I'd ever seen.

The sky stretched endlessly, a pristine blue untouched by clouds. A soft breeze swept across the verdant grasslands, carrying the whispers of life that seemed to inhabit every inch of this land. Wildflowers painted the fields in vibrant splashes of color, their petals swaying gently in the wind.

Streams of crystalline water meandered through the landscape, their surfaces shimmering under the sunlight like scattered stars. Towering trees stood proudly, their branches heavy with lush, green foliage. The air was rich with the scent of flowers and earth—a fragrance so pure, it felt like a balm to the soul.

I walked along the path, and the people I passed turned to look at me.

To them, I must have been a stranger. But there was no suspicion in their eyes, no wariness. Instead, they smiled, their expressions warm and welcoming, as though they were greeting an old friend who had been away too long.

Some nodded in acknowledgment; others offered quiet greetings. The kindness in their faces stirred something deep within me—an unspoken gratitude for being welcomed into this place.

This was the first time I had truly entered Tirfothuinn.

I continued along the winding path, following the fragments of a memory. In Conscientia, I had glimpsed a vision of this place—a place where Matthew and I had once stood together beneath a waterfall, promising our lives to each other.

Even though I was no longer Deborah, those memories remained etched in my heart. I couldn't help but be drawn to them, to that sacred place where so much had seemed possible.

And then, I saw it.

The waterfall came into view, majestic and serene. Its cascading waters shimmered like liquid silver, and the sunlight filtering through the mist created a radiant rainbow that arched over the scene. That arc of color seemed to brighten everything, making the world feel more alive.

The sound of the water was deep and soothing, a melody that resonated with the land itself. The stream it fed into meandered gracefully through the grasslands, its surface reflecting the sky above.

Wildflowers dotted the lush grass near the base of the falls, their bright hues a perfect contrast to the calm green expanse.

I moved closer, my steps slowing as my eyes fell on the people gathered there.

Cora and David were playing with a group of children, their laughter ringing clear and joyful in the open air. Their carefree movements painted a picture of peace—a peace that seemed worlds away from the battles of the past.

And nearby, standing slightly apart, was Matthew.

He wasn't smiling, but his expression was soft as he watched the children, his gaze filled with a quiet kind of warmth.

Time had matured him.

He stood taller now, his shoulders broader. The dark military uniform he wore emphasized his commanding presence, the insignia on his shoulder marking him as a leader. His features were sharper, more defined, but his steady, thoughtful eyes were unmistakable.

He was still Matthew.

Strong, unyielding, and utterly dependable.

I felt my heart quicken, though I kept my pace measured. He wouldn't recognize this face—it wasn't the one he had known, the one he had loved. But seeing him here, alive and well, filled me with emotions I couldn't put into words.

As I drew closer, Cora and David noticed me first.

Their laughter faded, giving way to expressions of curiosity. They stood still, their heads tilting slightly as they studied me. But then, their faces lit up with something that felt like recognition—an unspoken understanding.

When I reached them, I paused, letting myself take in the moment. My voice, when I finally spoke, was steady despite the rush of feelings inside me.

"Hello," I said with a small smile. "My name is Lianora. Lianora Lee."

Cora's face broke into a radiant smile, and David looked equally delighted. They exchanged a glance, as though silently agreeing on something.

Matthew, however, stayed quiet. His eyes fixed on me, his brow furrowing slightly, as though trying to place a memory hovering just out of reach.

After a moment, he stepped forward and extended a hand.

"Hello, Lianora," he said, his voice steady and calm. "I'm Matthew Duskmire."