The Dragon King's Heart

Down in Gaeia, the Solar Solistice was about to begin. Laina are barely holding on when they placed her on the Sun Altar but she had since woken up. 

The Oracle looked up a the sky, then back at Laina. 

"It's time."

The Sun was at its highest point in the sky. As the warm rays of sunlight touched on Laina's skin, she could feel as if jolts of energy pulsed through her veins. The temple guards, worshippers, and even the Oracle went through some changes of their own as well. 

In the blink of an eye, Laina felt as if all of her energy was restored, and more. For the first time in a while, she felt like herself again. Her dark red hair emitted a soft glow as well. It almost look as if her hair was made of fire as it blew in the wind. 

Laina got up onto her own two feet. She did not notice it at first, but the aura she exude was crushing to everyone around her. She tried her best to keep it under control, not wanting to harm anyone around her. She looked up at the sky, feeling the warmth of the sun. 

"Your Majesty, remember, you only have 15 minutes," the Oracle reminded her. 

Laina nodded. Just then, a familiar purring and a sensation on her right ankle caught Laina's attention. 

"Shadow?" Laina said with delight as she picked up the black cat, petting her soft fur, "Did Dante send you here to help me?"

Shadow meowed and purred as she rubbed her cheek with Laina's. She always liked the warmth Laina emitted from her skin. It was like cozying next to a crackling fireplace. Titan circled Laina, barking brightly as Shadow leaped out of her hands. 

The cat and mastiff circled one another for a few moments as if they were communicating. Then, they looked up at Laina, beckoning her to follow them. She followed them without hesitation. 

Kol and Florin followed suit, as closely as they could. Margaret sensed that Laina was leaving the Temple of the Sun. She looked out of the window for a moment, then back at Marius. 

"Go, she needs you," Marius whispered softly with a smile. 

He knew how important Laina was to her. He could not force her to make a choice between them, so he made it for her. 

"You need me more," she said as she caressed his cheek. 

Margaret leaned in and kissed him on the lips. She knew full well Laina would be able to take care of herself. She wanted to cherish those closest to her. She had to cherish him. 

Marius was pleasantly surprised. He deepened their kiss, savoring the taste of her lips. The day he had been waiting for was finally here. At that moment, nothing else mattered. Only the love of his life mattered. 

Laina flew alongside Shadow and Titan. They moved at inhuman speeds, covering land, flying across lakes and rivers. They eventually came to the ocean, heading towards a lone island. When they landed on a sand-covered beach. 

Titan barked brightly while pointing his snout towards the mountain at the center of the island. Laina ascended it immediately. When she got to the peak, she was a little confused. 

There was no portal or gateway.

Just as she was about to ask, Shadow climbed up onto her shoulder and meowed while tilting her head upwards. Laina looked up.

"You made it, my love," 

The voice she had been waiting to hear, she heard it. Was she in a dream? Above her was the endless blue sky. But in the middle of it was what seemed like a pool of water. Through it, she saw Dante. 

"Dante! I'm here!" she had tears in her eyes as she reached her hand out. 

They had come so far. 

Without any hesitation, Laina channeled all of the energy she had within her. 

"Dante, get back," she said as her eyes began to glow. 

Kol and Florin retreated back too. Laina summoned a shield to protect them and the pets, not wanting them to get hurt. She knew the fire she was about to channel would be powerful, but she did not know how strong they might be. 

A sphere of flame materialized in her hands. She launched it straight at the pool-like surface in the sky. The light emitted from it was so strong, the surrounding area was enveloped in light. 

In the Celestial Realm, the glow of the light could be seen far and wide too. It had been over thousands of years since anyone had seen something of this scale. 

But it was not enough. 

The barrier spell Cecilia had cast absorbed most of the attack. But Laina did not give up, she continued to channel everything she had. Dante knew he had to do something too. Laina was fighting for both of them, just as she always had. 

He had to join her. 

Dante placed his hands on the pool. He closed his eyes and let out a breath of air as he too channeled his powers into the realm gate. He winced in pain as a jolt of pain shot through his entire being. But he did not stop. 

He was going to give it his all. 

Even if it killed him. 

By now, Cecilia had rushed to the Realm Gate in the Celestial Realm. She was livid when she realized what they were trying to do. 

"Dante! It's too dangerous! Stop this at once!" she yelled as she moved towards him. 

"Don't you dare take one step closer!" he warned as he sent a wave of energy, pushing her back. 

He was not about to let her interrupt it. Much to everyone's surprise, the barrier spell seemed to be cracking. 

"It's working! We're almost there!" Laina exclaimed with excitement. 

She was invigorated by their success. She could almost picture it in her mind. They were about to be reunited at last. As the crack lines spread across the entire barrier spell, Laina increased the intensity of her flames. With one final push, the barrier spell was broken. 

"She did it," Kol whispered in surprise. 

"She did it," Florin echoed his words. 

But that was only part of the problem resolved. Laina still had to get through the Realm gate. She encased her entire body in a swirl of flame. It was glowing bright red, hot enough to melt even the toughest of metals and rock. 

Laina leaped into the sky, heading straight for the realm gate. As soon as she hit it, a pulse of energy reverberated in Gaeia. It could be felt for miles in every direction. She reached her hand out, trying to break through it. 

But no matter how much effort she put in, she just could not get through it. She did not have enough energy, and she was running out of time. Laina could feel her powers diminishing. 

Dante gritted his teeth. He reached his hand through the realm gate and held onto Laina's hand. 

"I got you! I'm not letting you go!" he yelled as he held on tightly. 

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