Good morning, readers! I have returned to bring you the last chapter of this fanfiction! Though it's the end of this part, it's certainly not the end of the story! If anything, it's going to leave many cliffhangers which will eventually be expanded upon. For those who have read up to this point, thank you x infinity. Without further ado, please enjoy the final chapter of The Union of Fates!

Onyx warily released Kapra and Pyramus, never daring to defy Barium's orders, but somehow felt that this was unusual. He stared after them silently as they made their way out of the palace, eventually leaving the Vi's territory.

As they walked together, the sky darkening, they were silent for a long while. After some time, Pyramus broke the silence.

"So... I suppose we are going back to stay with the Hulder, no?" He asked.

"Yes... not that we have many other options otherwise." Kapra replied.

"This is true. But... I know it is not the only reason." He said. Kapra glanced over at him. During the time they had spent in the palace, she had learned much about him.

"Pyramus?"

"Oui, my darling?"

"... How long have you had that gun?"

Pyramus looked over at her from under his blanket. "How long have we been here, love?"

Kapra was quiet for a few moments. "So... this whole time... when you were locked up, interrogated-"

"I don't have many bullets. I have to use them sparingly. I have to save them for when it is absolutely necessary."

She nodded slowly. "I hope you don't have to use it again."

"I hope not either." He replied. "Do you remember the way back?"

"I think so. It's just going to be hard to navigate now that it's dark."

"Do not fear. If anything unpleasant comes our way, I will deal with it." Pyramus said. He noticed Kapra shivering a bit, removing his blanket to place around her shoulders. She smiled at him as he put an arm around her shoulders. She did not shrink away from him.

Inside the Hulder keep, Arsenik nodded slowly as he looked upon an unconscious Lylith. Ravyn stood, his head bowed.

"It's done." He muttered to Arsenik.

"Put her in the isolated cell. No one must know her condition. If asked, claim ignorance." Arsenik said.

"How long do you plan on keeping her in there?" Ravyn spat.

"Three days. Enough for her wounds to begin festering. Remember, Ravyn. She must look the part. She must have as little to sustain her as possible and no treatment. Then under the cover of night, you will place her where I told you. I will order a search then."

"And if I refuse?" Ravyn glared at Arsenik, his voice hoarse.

"You fail to understand that what I have told you is going to happen one way or another. Perhaps you would prefer the others to come across a corpse when she is found." Arsenik said. "This is the price you both will pay for threatening my well-being as well as my nephew's." He said before turning on his heel, exiting the forge.

Ravyn felt a lump forming in his throat, choking a sob. The act of crying, of feeling this kind of emotion, was foreign to him. He slowly approached Lylith, carefully lifting her into his arms. "I'm so sorry." He muttered, unable to look at her long.

He had destroyed her beauty.

He remembered watching over her as a girl. He thought himself as somewhat of a silent guardian over her. He resented her friendship with Viktor, because he knew he could never defend her as he could. And now, here he was. Everything he had ever done for her had been undone in a single night. He carried her into the dungeon unseen, placing her in the isolated cell. He glanced around, taking out a blanket he had snuck with him to cover her with. He lingered for a moment before turning, closing the cell door. There was a darkness in his eyes which remained as he exited the dungeon.

Ravyn had no idea how, but he would see to it that both Arsenik and Viktor would fall to ruin.

Ambrosia sat under a tree with Wind just outside her cottage, his arm draped lazily about her shoulders. Chase was reclining on one of the larger branches of said tree, looking up at the stars. Though he may have loved Ambrosia at one time, he was happy just to see her happy. He still hoped that someday, he could find a love of his own.

Jasmine poked her head out the door. "Ambrosia! Come in now, it's getting late."

Once inside, Rosemary stared at Chase warily. "So... you're sleeping over again."

"Yeah, um... I guess so?" He replied, clearing his throat. Rosemary stared at him for a moment before walking away. Chase sighed, frowning to himself as he turned to go to the spare room. As he was about to enter, he felt a light tapping on his shoulder. He turned to see Rosemary holding some pillows and a blanket.

"Here. You may like the floor, but you don't have to freeze." She said, handing the items to him.

Chase blinked as she turned to go to bed. "Hey, thanks Rosemary. That's really nice of you." He smiled.

"Don't worry about it. I don't need anything in return for it." She replied.

"Um... well, how about a hug?"

Rosemary stopped, turning to stare at him blankly. "I beg your pardon?"

"I mean, you don't have to, but..." He scratched his head.

Rosemary cautiously took a step forward. "Fine. Just make it quick." Chase smiled, and there was no doubt that the hug was awkward, but secretly appreciated by both nonetheless. "Okay. Goodnight." Rosemary said, going into her room and closing the door. She smiled to herself for a moment before shaking her head, puffing out her cheeks before throwing the covers over her head.

In the Valkyrie camp, Wildfire had recovered from the ordeal with the dark entity. Brooks watched as she went to stand outside the small hut. She glanced over at Wildfire with a hint of worry as she stared at the night sky. In that moment, she muttered to herself that the Phoenix would pay for what danger they had unleashed. She was convinced that the Phoenix were working with the Vi to subdue the clans- she could care less about the others, but it would be a cold day in hell before the Valkyrie would grovel. She had a blanket around her shoulders, taking it off and handing it to Brooks.

"Wildfire, you need to keep up your strength-"

"I'm fine." She snapped. "That Ambrosia has her head in the clouds. She has no idea what the Vi is getting us all into."

"Do you really think they are responsible for this?" Brooks asked.

"Who else? They're going to do what they can to break us down. I'm not going to let that happen. Remember what I've always told you, Brooks. Break them before they break you."

"But... why now?" Brooks asked.

"Because their opportunists, especially that Alexandrite. You know how he's always in Barium's ear. He puts him up to everything. They're probably using the Phoenix to harvest this dark power to use for themselves. Hear me now, Brooks. This power, that... creature... it can't be tamed. Men. They're dumber than rocks. That's why the Sky Mother only watches over us. Her daughters. We're stronger. Smarter. This world needs a woman in charge.

"What are you going to do?" She asked.

"I'm not sure yet. When the time comes, I'll let you know what I'm planning. I can tell you this, though... if it's a war that the Vi wants, they're going to get it." Wildfire said before going back into the hut.

Brooks hissed when the memory of the dark entity taking control of Wildfire flashed through her mind. It was something she never again wanted to witness. It sent chills down her spine, hugging the blanket to her chest, taking in the lingering warmth it had retained.

Inside the palace, Barium smiled to himself. He glanced over when he noticed Bo Peep approach him, leaning on the armrest of his throne as he gently squeezed her hand.

"Coming to bed, dearie?" She asked.

"Soon. I finished drafting up the proclamation. I will make it known to the council tomorrow and then have it posted." He looked at her. "I only hope what I'm doing is right."

"Does it feel right?" Bo Peep asked.

"It does give me some peace of mind..."

"Then there's nothing else to ask." She said. He rose from his throne, taking her hand as she led him out of the room.

Meanwhile, Alexandrite sat in his room bitterly, wearing an angry scowl. He sat in a comfortable arm chair, a blanket covering his lap as he glared into the dying flames of his hearth. He looked at the door when there was a knock, seeing Night in the doorway.

"What do you want?" Alexandrite asked. "I asked not to be disturbed."

Night approached, standing beside him. "I know about the letter."

Alexandrite looked up at him. "It was not for you to read. Since when do you feel you can involve yourself in my affairs-"

"Since I have something to do with them." Night said as he glanced over. "Cousin. You want the Imugi and the Trold dead, don't you? Tell me what I have to do to make sure that happens."

Alexandrite rose a brow. "Why such eagerness all of a sudden?"

"Because one of those low lives is standing in the way of something I want." Night replied. "She's too blind to see the mistake she's making. With the Imugi out of the picture... she'll have no choice but to give me her hand."

"What are you talking about? Surely you want no woman who would stoop to consort with an Imugi."

"Even if said woman were a Phoenix?" Night asked. Alexandrite's eyes widened for a moment.

"What... did you say?"

"I saw it. In their village yesterday... she told me herself. She has decided to take that Imugi as her mate. Ambrosia. This is why she defended him and the Trold at the trial."

Alexandrite stared ahead into the flames of his hearth with disbelief for a moment. After some time passed, his expression turned into something more sinister. "Night. Let's keep this conversation to ourselves, hm? I will follow up with you at a later time."

Night nodded with understanding, dismissing himself from the room. As he did, Alexandrite smirked to himself, rising to toss the blanket covering his lap over the back of his chair.

This piece of information would certainly help in his upcoming dealings.

In the servant's quarters, Mist approached the other Imugi, a smile coming into her features as they looked up at her with surprised hope. She closed her eyes for a moment, a silent message conveyed to them as they too closed their eyes, their smiles soon matching hers.

"So it's true." One Imugi said. "The human has convinced the king to free us."

"Yes." Mist replied. "When we return, we will tell my father of what she has done."

"We will also tell him of what you have done. You have proven to all our people the kind of Chieftess you will be someday." Another Imugi said. At this, they all crouched down to touch their foreheads to the floor in gratitude. She looked upon them silently for a moment.

"Rest now. Tomorrow, we will no longer be lost to our people." She said to them.

Arsenik sat in the now empty dining hall. So many conversations, secret exchanges had transpired in this room over the years. He held in his hand a locket. It belonged to Lylith, a gift which had been given to her years ago by Viktor. The chain was now stained a bit with her own blood, and he sighed lightly as he tucked it into his pocket. Deep down, he was both saddened and troubled that he had to resort to this. A part of him was disgusted with himself. He had wanted to walk the path of righteousness and love, but he had once again allowed his dark side to prevail. He had paid Ravyn back for what happened all those years ago, but somehow, he didn't feel any satisfaction from it.

Just then, his thoughts were broken when he heard a sound. He looked up, thinking he heard footsteps approaching. He got to his feet, slowly withdrawing a knife. He narrowed his eyes, waiting for the footsteps to come nearer. He lifted his hand to strike when the figure came into the light, revealing themselves. His whole form froze for a moment, the blade clattering to the floor when dropped.

"Do-... do my eyes deceive me?"

Kapra smiled. "Hey, Arsenik." Just then, Pyramus came forward as well, stopping just behind her.

"Hello again, mon ami." He smirked lightly. "Hope you are willing to take a two for one deal."

Arsenik's smile faded only slightly, nodding to him. "Pyramus." He then took a step forward, drawing Kapra into a hug. "How did you manage to escape, my dear? Please, tell me how you were able to return to us."

"We didn't escape. We were released. I will tell you everything in the morning... I need to go rest for the night." Kapra replied.

"Yes, of course. Do you need me to assist you?"

"I'm okay." Kapra said, glancing at Pyramus for a moment.

"Don't worry, darling. I'm right behind you." He said as Kapra went towards the stairs. Pyramus was about to follow her when he felt a light hand on his shoulder. Once Kapra was out of earshot, Arsenik's gaze rested on Pyramus.

"Something has changed."

Pyramus turned around, chuckling lightly. "Maybe it has." He was quiet for a moment. "Anything else?"

"I'll still be keeping a close eye on you." Arsenik replied.

"This does not bother me." Pyramus shrugged. "Besides. It's not like it will change anything."

"What do you mean by that?" He asked warily.

"That is for me to know... and you to find out." Pyramus chuckled to himself. "Bonne noir." He turned, sashaying towards the stairs to head up. Arsenik watched him suspiciously; what had happened between them in such a short time?

Viktor lay curled up on his side, hugging his blankets tightly around him as he stared into the darkness of the room. As the door slowly opened, he furrowed a brow, turning to see someone silhouetted in his doorway. "Who's there?" He sat up. When the figure approached and he could see them better, he thought he felt his heart skip a beat.

"Miss me?" Kapra smiled, the moonlight pouring in through the window illuminating her face. He was about to hop to his feet, but Kapra stopped him with a hug.

"... I... I must be dreaming-" Viktor breathed, embracing her tightly to him. "How... when-"

"I will explain everything to you. But Viktor... there's something important I need to do, and I'm going to need your help." Kapra said.

"Anything for you, Kapra." He said as he pet her hair. "I only hope this is not a cruel dream."

"I hope not either." She replied.

"Kapra, I-... I can't believe-... I missed you so." Viktor said, trying not to choke up.

"I missed you too. But it was thinking of you and my friends that kept me going." She replied. Viktor could see she was exhausted.

"Goodness... you're freezing." He noticed when he felt her hands, draping his blankets around her. He then realized their situation, straightening up a bit. "O- Oh dear... forgive me, you probably want to return to your former bedchambers-"

"No. I want to stay right where I am." Kapra said tiredly, smiling up at him as she rested her head against his chest.

Viktor smiled gently, settling in and allowing her to rest. He pet her hair as she quickly fell into slumber. He still could not believe this was true, but his heart refused to ask any more questions. He wished to simply accept things exactly as they were.

As she slept, Kapra knew what she had to do. And she knew that as long as she had those who she cared for, she would have the strength to conquer the darkness. As she acknowledged this to herself, someone lingered outside the doorway, glancing inside solemnly. Arsenik quietly departed, moving through the corridor more silently than air. Pyramus watched him pass by from his former bedchamber, his eyes obscured by his blanket as they looked through the keyhole.

End of Part One

And there we have it! So, what do YOU think is going to happen in the next story? Which characters will prevail, and which will fail? Did any of you notice any recurring themes throughout the story that are seen in the games? If you have not already, please please PLEASE check out Poison Apple Tales and support them. They have a Tumblr, Youtube, , Facebook, Deviantart, and I also believe a Twitter account. They have worked very hard on their games and really have some awesome characters. It may be some time before I begin the next installment of this story, but until then, thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, and supported this or any of my fanfictions. I'm going to try to catch up on a couple other projects in the meantime. Please keep an eye out for future updates, and see you next time!