The vision didn't fade. It tightened. Starfania stood there—caught between two worlds. Between two truths. The Dragon Savior. And a daughter. Her chest felt heavy. Too heavy.
Because now she knew. She had to stop him. But—she had also seen it. The pain in his eyes. The grief he carried. What hadn't entirely vanished from him... was merely buried? Her steps moved before she even realized it. Drawn forward. Toward the table. Toward the map. Starfania stepped closer, her fingers hovering before finally brushing against the surface. Tiny markings scattered across the maps—locations, targets, plans carefully laid out with precision. This wasn't just a strategy. It was a path. A future already being carved. Her fingers traced the route slowly.
" This…changes everything…" she whispered under her breath. Would stopping him bring peace? Or would it break something beyond repair?
Around the table, the warriors stood firm. Ready. Loyal. Unwavering. Cesar didn't need to raise his voice. A single lift of his chin—and they understood. A silent command. They straightened. Resolved. Prepared to follow him into whatever came next. Starfania felt it. The weight of it. Their trust in him. Their belief. And it twisted something deep inside her. Because she knew—they weren't following a monster. They were following a leader. Her father. But that didn't make this right.
Her chest tightened further. Doubt coiling inside her. Then—it hit her. They couldn't see her. Couldn't hear her. She was just…Watching. Her gaze snapped back to Cesar. Standing there. Still. Silent. Something in his posture had changed. Subtle. But there. She stepped closer. Slowly. Carefully. Until she stood right beside him. So close. Close enough to see every detail. The lines etched into his face. Deeper than she remembered. The tension in his jaw. The weight in his eyes. He looked…Tired. Not like a king. Not like a conqueror. Like a man who had been carrying too much…for far too long. Her heart cracked.
" Father…" she whispered again. Softer this time.
Still nothing. She swallowed hard. Her hand trembled as she reached toward him. Wanting—needing—to feel something real. But before she could—he spoke. His voice…was different. Lower. Heavier. " Why does this world treat me so cruelly…?"
Starfania froze.
" I have already endured the pain of losing my wife…" A breath. Sharp. Unsteady. " …and my son…"
Her vision blurred.
" And now…" His voice faltered. Just slightly. " …you took my daughter from me too?"
Something inside her shattered.
" Papa…" she breathed, her voice breaking.
Tears welled in her eyes, spilling over before she could stop them. Her hand reached for his—desperate. Shaking. She grabbed it. Or tried too. " No, Papa…I didn't leave you…I'm right here."
Nothing. No warmth. There was no reaction. No sign. Her fingers passed through empty space. He couldn't feel her. Couldn't hear her. And worse—he believed she was gone. Gone. The weight of that realization crushed her. Then—another memory struck. Sharp. Unforgiving. Her own voice. Angry. Reckless. " I wish you were never my father."
Starfania staggered back slightly. As if the words had physically hit her.
" No…" she whispered. She saw it now. Clearly. The way his expression had fallen. The way he looked away. Like something inside him had broken. And she had done that. Guilt wrapped around her chest like chains. Tightening. Restricting.
" I didn't mean it…" she said, shaking her head, tears falling freely now. " I didn't mean it…"
But it didn't matter. The words were said. The damage done. And now—he carried that pain. On top of everything else.
Starfania stood there. Helpless. Unseen. A daughter watching her father break…while the world prepared for war around him. Her breathing became uneven. Her thoughts are spiraling. How did it come to this? How did they become this? She wanted to scream. To stop everything. To fix it. To go back. But she couldn't. All she could do…was stand there. And feel it. The grief. Regret is felt. The love that never really left. Tears blurred her vision, but she forced herself to stay grounded. Because beneath all of it—there was something else. A small flicker. Hope.
Fragile. Barely there. But real. Maybe…just maybe…this wasn't the end of their story. But she knew something now. Something she couldn't ignore anymore. To save Avalon…she might have to stand against her father. And to face her father…she would have to face herself first. Her mistakes. Her words. Her pain. Starfania took a shaky breath. Wiping at her tears. Because if there was even the smallest chance—to stop him…to save the dragons…and somehow…find her way back to him—then she couldn't run from this anymore. She had to become stronger. Not just as the Dragon Savior. But as his daughter.