A BATTLE OF BLOOD AND VOWS

The storm outside matched the storm within Xander.

The rain pounded against the windows of Evermere Manor, the wind howling through the trees like the voices of the dead. The battle was coming.

Xander sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers tracing idle patterns on Ella's hand. She was resting, her body still weak from the wound she had suffered, but her spirit was as strong as ever.

"You should be asleep," she murmured without opening her eyes.

Xander smirked. "So should you."

Ella let out a soft sigh, shifting under the covers. "You're leaving soon, aren't you?"

He didn't answer. He didn't need to.

She opened her eyes then, dark and searching. "Xander…"

He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss against her palm. "I won't let him take anything else from me."

She swallowed. "Promise me something."

Xander's jaw tightened. He had already broken so many promises in his life. But for Ella, he would make one more.

"Anything," he whispered.

"Promise me you will come back to me."

Xander didn't hesitate. "I swear, I will."

Ella exhaled shakily. "Then go and end this."

He kissed her one last time before slipping away into the night.

Xander rode into the storm, his soldiers behind him, his destiny ahead.

They met Edmund's forces at the edge of Evermere, the battlefield slick with mud and blood.

Edmund sat astride a black war horse, his smirk cruel as he surveyed his brother. "I was beginning to think you had run, little brother."

Xander's grip tightened on his reins. "I don't run."

Edmund chuckled. "Then let's end this."

And the battle began.

Swords clashed, the cries of the dying filling the air. Xander moved like a man possessed, cutting down every enemy in his path.

And then, It was just him and Edmund.

They circled each other, rain dripping from their blades.

"You always were Father's disappointment," Edmund sneered.

Xander's lips curled into a smirk. "And yet, here I am."

Edmund lunged. The fight was brutal, deadly, and personal.

But in the end, Xander was faster.

His blade found its mark, piercing Edmund's chest.

Edmund gasped, his eyes wide with shock. "Y-You…"

Xander caught his brother as he fell, holding him as life slipped away.

"Was it worth it?" Xander murmured.

Edmund's lips parted, but no words came. And then he was gone.

Xander let out a shaky breath. It was over.

Xander returned to Evermere, battered and bloody but victorious

Ella was waiting for him.

The moment she saw him, she ran into his arms. He caught her, holding her tightly, his face buried in her hair.

"It's over," he whispered.

Ella pulled back just enough to cup his face. "Then come home."

And for the first time in his life, Xander knew where home truly was.

It wasn't Evermere,

It wasn't power,

It was Ella.

And he was never letting her go again.