They ran to the castle garden and then into the maze turning into different paths of the maze until they reached where the chestnut tree stood with the leaves of white and pink dancing in the passing wind. Yanira jumped from Alistair’s arms and ran under the chestnut tree. She pressed her hands to the tree with desperation in her face.

“I wish…”

“Yanira?” asked Alistair in concern, slowly approaching her as did Irina and Xema.

“I wish help will come to save Balwar Kingdom before it is too late!” exclaimed Yanira. The wind around the area increased making them close their eyes.

“I will do anything for you, princess.”

Yanira opened her eyes and could have sworn that she saw a man with white hair staring down at her with golden eyes and a smile, but he soon faded along with the wind. Alistair, Xema, and Irina opened their eyes and ran to Yanira’s side.

Alistair knelt next to Yanira and asked, “What did you do?” Yanira was silent staring up at the Chestnut Tree, but then felt like her heart was fluttering making her smile and look at her family.

“I think the war is over.”

“What?”

Yanira tugged on Alistair’s arm toward the exit of the maze and said, “We need to see to make sure, hurry, hurry.” Alistair followed his eager daughter with bewilderment as did Xema and Irina.

Yanira dragged them from the maze and back toward the castle wall where she original began and where Lucina was standing at with Erion lying unconscious before her feet. Lucina glanced down at Yanira and stated, “I see you got your father.” Yanira nodded and asked, “But was it necessary?” Lucina smiled and muttered the wind spell making the wind surround Alistair, Yanira, Irina, and Xema. The wind carried them to the top of the wall and placed them down gently before vanishing.

Lucina knelt next to Yanira and pointed into the distance again.

“Tell me what do you see?”

Yanira looked into the distance and smiled at the sight.

The enemy army was in complete ruins and standing over those ruins were her big brother, Zuriel, and the king of Azseldo Kingdom, Shuyu. Zuriel rode a black horse and Shuyu rode a white horse raising their swords in victory with their soldiers cheering around them.

Yanira looked at Lucina happily and said, “Big brother and Shuyu came on time to save the castle.” Lucina nodded and then smiled saying, “You might not believe it, but they just appeared in a flash and took down that army. They must have seen this treachery coming.” Yanira nodded with a giggle, while Irina, Xema, and Alistair stared in disbelief.

Xema glanced at Alistair and asked, “Could Yanira’s wish for help be the reason why they came so quickly?” Alistair smiled and shrugged his shoulders saying, “All that matters is that with that army fallen we may win this war.”

Lucina smiled at Alistair and stated, “Actually, you already won this war.”

“What do you mean?”

“The army that had fallen just now was being led by the King of Chuluan Kingdom himself. With the king gone, the war is won.”

All were silent as the information sank in and then Alistair burst into a bright smile and cheered with his family. Lucina chuckled in delight and then looked at Yanira again asking, “Do you remember what you read from the history book concerning Chuluan Kingdom?”

Yanira nodded stating, “Chuluan Kingdom had a long lineage, but the current king Neelam Sarari’s queen was barren, so he had a female wind mage bare him an heir. That heir became his only son and would rule the kingdom if he were to die whether from illness or in battle.”

Lucina nodded and then glanced at the unconscious Erion.

“What the book didn’t mention is that the young heir changed his last name so he could train to be a wind mage like his mother.”

Yanira gasped in realization and asked, “So the wind mage here is…?”

“That is correct, he is Erion Sarari, only heir to the Chuluan Kingdom throne,” stated Lucina. Alistair heard Lucina’s words and approached the fallen form of Erion. Alistair knelt before him and noticed his steady breathing.

“So you didn’t end his life?” asked Alistair. Lucina shook her head and stated, “I believe your majesty has the right to decide his fate, but be forewarn: this man may come back for revenge against you for his fallen Kingdom and father if you do not end his life.” Alistair sighed and drew his sword ready to impale Erion in his slumber, but he paused in his actions when he felt Yanira’s small hand against his. He looked at Yanira, who had a look of concern.

“I know killing him would prevent future trouble, but I don’t want to see anymore dead bodies today,” stated Yanira in a solemn tone. Alistair stared at Yanira and then at his wife and Xema, who looked just as concerned. Alistair sighed and sheathed his sword.

“Priestess, please seal his wind magic. I will strip him of his royal rights and make him a servant of Balwar Kingdom.”

Lucina nodded with a bow and stated, “It will be done your majesty and I will also add a slave seal to his chest to make sure he obeys your commands.” Alistair nodded in approval and then looked back at his family with a smile.

“How about we change into proper clothes to welcome back everyone?” stated Alistair making his family.

Yanira used the wind spell to bring her family down, but when she was about to go down herself, she felt Lucina’s hand on her shoulder making her look at her. Lucina leaned toward Yanira’s ear and whispered, “I didn’t tell your father, but I have a feeling this boy Erion will help you with your destiny.” Yanira nodded and then glanced at the unconscious Erion.

“I hope the slave seal won’t hurt,” muttered Yanira and then stepped off the edge muttering the wind spell to carry her down to join her family.

When Yanira was out of sight, Lucina tore open the front of Erion’s shirt and began to chant, “Agydapret” repeatedly as her eyes began to glow red and the tip of her right index finger turned pitch black. She lowered her blackened finger to his chest and began to draw a circle that burned to the skin. Within the circle she drew a black rose with thorns. The drawing soon began to glow red making Erion cringe in pain in his sleep. When the red glow faded, Lucina’s eyes returned to normal. She narrowed her eyes staring at the symbol.

“Your freedom is no more.”