The end of red star

The sky above Darknot Village had changed.

For half a century, the red star glared over its cursed soil—an ever-watchful eye, a harbinger of secrets and suffering. But now… it was gone.

Its sudden absence left behind an unsettling stillness. The night sky, once tainted crimson, returned to its natural hue—streaked with gentle blue-black, dotted with innocent stars that now seemed to breathe in relief.

But Elora couldn't admire the peace.

Not when Adonis lay unconscious in her arms, bleeding, cold, and unmoving.

His golden aura had completely vanished. The massive sword of light—the divine force that had shattered Rabisu's prison—was gone as if it had never existed. And now, the hero who summoned it was barely clinging to life.

"Adonis! Wake up! Please!" Elora begged, shaking him gently.

There was no response.

"Damn it! I knew that attack was too much—your body isn't ready for that power yet!" Elora said, panic rising in her voice.

She quickly placed her hand over his chest, closed her eyes, and cast a healing spell—pure green light pulsing into him.

"Please… please be okay…"

A minute passed. Then two.

Finally—

Adonis's fingers twitch.

His breath shuddered, and his lips moved weakly. "…Where…?"

Elora exhaled deeply, smiling in relief, her eyes moist. "Idiot… you almost died."

Adonis slowly opened his eyes, blinking against the moonlight. "…Did we… win?"

She nodded. "Yeah. You… destroyed everything. That one swing? You nuked the whole place. The altar's gone. The mansion's gone. The red star… it's gone too."

Adonis tried to sit up, groaning as pain shot through his body.

"Easy! You nearly burnt your life force just now!" Elora scolded.

"…Sorry," Adonis muttered, coughing. "I just… couldn't think of another way."

"You always do this," she grumbled. "Taking everything on yourself."

He smiled weakly. "You say that like you weren't fighting an undead horde by yourself."

"Hmph." Elora looked away, hiding her expression.

Then, a sudden gust of wind swept through the ruins, and a familiar soft laughter echoed from behind them.

"he he"

Both turned sharply.

There, standing at the edge of the forest, was the bent old woman, her silhouette illuminated by the moon.

"You…!" Elora called out.

"Blinding light covers the skies… and that… is where darkness lies…" she sang softly.

"You knew everything, didn't you?" Adonis asked, forcing himself up.

The woman smiled, her form beginning to shimmer unnaturally. "I watched over the village… ever since the Sorcerer first cast his light. But I was never allowed to intervene… until someone brave enough shattered that false star."

She stepped forward, and her body shifted, the wrinkles vanishing, the back straightening—until standing before them was a woman cloaked in celestial robes, eyes glowing faintly blue.

"I am what remains of the Spirit of Malverick," she said gently. "I've waited decades for someone to uncover the truth."

Elora stared, stunned.

"So… it was true," Adonis said, his tone quiet. "Malverick was the real protector."

The spirit nodded. "Rabisu stole the Sorcerer's research to fulfill his twisted dreams. But now… thanks to you… the villagers are free. The undead curse has lifted."

As if on cue, a burst of light flared from the distance—then another. Then several. In every direction.

"Those are the villagers…" Elora whispered. "They're waking up!"

"Yes," the spirit confirmed. "The illusions are gone. The false joy, the smiles, the memories—everything Rabisu fed them through the red star… it's all broken now."

Adonis struggled to his feet. "Then we need to go to them. Help them understand. They've lived a lie for fifty years."

"You've done more than enough," the spirit said. She floated closer, extending a hand to Adonis. "The sword you carry… it's not just special magic. It's a will born from light's resistance against corruption. You must be careful… or it will burn you."

Adonis looked at her hand, then back at Elora, who helped steady him. "I'll manage."

The spirit smiled faintly. "Then… I can finally return to rest."

With those words, she vanished into a swirl of light—leaving behind only soft fireflies that floated up into the heavens.

———

By sunrise, the entire village was in chaos.

Dozens of people had collapsed—waking from what felt like a long, vivid dream. Families sobbed, reunited. Others were hysterical, confused. Some broke down, remembering everything.

The Village Chief sat in the center of the square, her glasses broken, hands trembling. "What… what have we done…?"

Adonis and Elora stood together, tired and battered.

"We'll leave the clean-up to the Guild," Elora sighed. "This is too big for us."

Adonis nodded, then turned to her. "You still want to go to that academy?"

"…Yeah," she replied. "But only if we go together."

Adonis smiled. "Deal."

Together, they looked at the sky.

No red star.

Just a new dawn.