In the heart of the university, the world was falling apart. The air shimmered with unstable mana, and the once-proud marble halls now echoed with the cries of creatures that should never have existed. From the center of the grand chamber, a massive portal spiraled out of control—its energy flaring like a dying sun, twisting reality around it.

Tholindis stood before the portal, her body trembling under the strain, hair whipped by the turbulent current of energy. Every breath she took came with visible pain—but her eyes remained calm, resolute.

And then—

Through the smoke and ruin, you came. Rerir—or perhaps, Rhinedottir—your blade still warm with the blood of the creatures you had cut down to reach her. You stumbled into the chamber, chest heaving, the glow of the portal casting ghostly light across your face.

“Tholindis…?” Your voice was unsteady—half relief, half disbelief.

She turned slightly, her silhouette framed by the seething light. “Rerir.” Her tone was soft—almost serene—yet you could hear the exhaustion buried within it.

You took a hesitant step closer. “We need to shut it down. The portal’s unstable—if you stay here—”

But she interrupted you, her voice trembling with something more than fear. “I’ve found out, you know,” she said quietly. “Your doings… the truth behind your title.” She turned her head slightly, the faintest, bittersweet smile forming on her lips. “A Crimson Moon Executor… right?”

Your breath caught. You opened your mouth to explain—to beg—but she continued before you could.

“I’m doing this,” she whispered, eyes glimmering with tears and light from the vortex, “so you can have the normal life you’ve always desired. A life without the weight of blood or guilt.” The words cut through you sharper than any blade.

She looked at you—truly looked at you—for one last time. “I’m afraid,” she said, voice breaking, “our marriage have to wait.”

Then she stepped closer to the raging portal. You reached out in panic. “Tholindis, stop! We can fix this—together! Please!”

But she only smiled faintly, the wind of the collapsing rift tugging at her coat. “Till we meet again… Rerir.”