Villain's Second Heart: Trapped in A Fantasy Novel (BL)-Chapter 128: Reconciliation

Step by step, Bree guided Rav gently toward the others still on the battlefield. The world was silent, save for the soft groan of the settling earth in the wake of the myriad eruptions and explosions that rocked the land not an hour prior.

Bree adjusted herself, the Sage’s weight heavy on her shoulder. His steps were shaky, but the grin plastered on his face hadn’t dimmed in the slightest.

When they finally reached the group, Bree’s father was the first to step forward. He towered over Rav, his shadow falling across them both. Rav looked up with a nervous and weak smirk.

"Ahem," the sage started, clearing his throat.

He straightened up the best he could, squaring his battered shoulders. He wiped a streak of blood from his mouth with the back of his hand and looked the aged Ave in the eye.

"It’s been a long time, Darter," Rav said, wincing in pain but putting on a strong face. He couldn’t let himself come across as weak or undisciplined - not in that moment.

The elder Ave took a deep breath. "It has, Rav."

The cat-like Ferin flicked his tail nervously.

"I know what you think about me," Rav said, voice hoarse but steady. "And you’re right. I was selfish. Reckless. I got people hurt. I lost good friends because I thought I could take on the world alone."

The elder Ave’s expression didn’t shift. His arms remained crossed tightly against his chest.

"More than good friends..." Rav stammered. "I..."

"My son is dead, Rav. Dead and forgotten, while you live a hero. You, who never could have reached the heights you did without my boy’s wings."

"Father!" Bree said sternly.

The Ave shook his head. "You have something to say, Rav. Finish it."

Rav pressed on, as if he had rehearsed the words a thousand times. "Everything I did, every stupid mistake I made... it was because I thought if I got strong enough, if I became the best, no one I cared about would ever get hurt again."

Bree’s father narrowed his eyes. Rav stumbled slightly, catching himself against Bree with a sheepish smile.

"I guess that was another stupid mistake," Rav muttered. "Strength doesn’t mean much if you don’t have anyone left to protect."

For a long, weighted moment, no one spoke.

Ezra held his breath, feeling Oberyn stir weakly against him where he lay resting. The ashes of their battle clung to the air, thick and heavy. Bree watched her father silently, her wings trembling faintly.

Finally, the elder Ave let out a long, rough sigh. His arms fell to his sides.

"You were a fool," he said gruffly. "Still are, if you ask me."

Rav flinched, but nodded.

"But you’re our fool," the old man added, his voice cracking just slightly. "You always were."

The old warrior stepped forward and wrapped his thick arms around Rav in a crushing hug. Rav yelped in surprise, tail puffing out instinctively, but he didn’t resist. He hugged him back fiercely with all the strength he could muster.

"You did good, boy," Bree’s father said into his ear. "You stopped Lavoshe. Damns, you’re not even a Magician of Ice, and you do it better than they do. Rav, I hate what happened to my boy. I hate what happened to this family, and to you. But I never hated you."

Rav’s eyes closed, and for a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to sag into the embrace.

"I’m sorry it took me so long to say it. But I’ve felt this way for a long time, Rav. You didn’t need to come here and become a hero twice-over for me to see it."

Rav bit his lip. "But I did. And I did it for you, Bree. Everyone here."

Ezra smiled, his heart warmed at the moment. As he watched their touching moment, a small notification appeared.

[You have helped Rav achieve his long-held wish. +50 Fulfillment Points]

The notification rang softly in Ezra’s mind, but he barely registered it. His heart ached watching the scene unfold, aching for all the hurt and hope tied up in that embrace.

When they finally broke apart, Bree’s father stepped back and placed a heavy hand on Bree’s shoulder, squeezing it with silent pride. His eyes met Rav’s one more time.

"For my son," he said. "And for all of us who couldn’t be here to see it."

Rav nodded, his voice too thick to reply.

Ezra glanced down. Oberyn stirred again, this time with more awareness. His golden eyes fluttered open, locking immediately onto Ezra’s face.

"Ez..." he croaked, smiling weakly.

Ezra beamed and smoothed the Nephilim’s hair back gently.

"Rest easy," Ezra whispered. "Everything’s going to be alright."

Slowly, with Bree’s help, they got Oberyn sitting upright. The group naturally clustered together, drawing close in the vast emptiness of the battlefield.

It would have been easy to imagine, in that moment, that the worst was behind them. Easy to forget the mountain still loomed nearby, the black clouds clinging to its peak like bruises.

But Ezra could feel it. A lingering weight pressing against his chest.

Jan was still out there.

They all knew it.

Bree’s sharp eyes scanned the horizon, as if expecting the false-aunt to emerge at any moment. Her wings shifted uneasily behind her. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Rav tapped his fan against his palm. "So. We going after her? She might still be inside the...ugh..."

Rav lurched forward, clutching his side.

The thought alone lit a fire in Ezra’s veins. Part of him wanted to hunt her down immediately, to demand answers, to punish her for what she had done to Oberyn, to them all.

But Bree shook her head, steady and sure.

"No," she said firmly. "We’re in no condition to chase anyone right now."

"But what if she -"

"If she had more to throw at us, she’d have done it, don’t you think?" Bree snapped. "There’s still much we don’t even know. And lest you forget, she’s not the reason you came here. We’ve a famine to figure out.

Oberyn nodded weakly at her side, his breath still shallow. Rav looked ready to argue, but caught himself when he saw the determined glint in Bree’s eyes.

"An excellent point, as always," Rav exhaled slowly. "A little Magician did tell me that Jan is not involved in the famine. I do believe her, for what it’s worth. What do you propose we do, then? Interrogate Oberyn?"

"We regroup," Bree continued. "We rest. We heal. And we keep watch."

Ezra exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

She was right. As much as he hated it, they couldn’t afford another battle, not yet. All of them were weak, and Oberyn’s curse mark needed to be treated.

...And to do that, Ezra needed to get his hands on some more mana. He was running pathetically low.

"We can go back to my family’s estate," Bree offered, her voice gentler now. "It’s built into the mountains, hidden well. It’ll be safe."

Her father nodded along. "It would be an honor to welcome you all as guests."

"I have enough energy left to fly," Rav said, shakily conjuring a cloud. "Might not be able to take anyone with me though..."

"No problem," Bree said quickly. "Ezra, you can ride on my back. Dad, could you..."

The elder Ave looked at Oberyn. "He’s a small one. Sure, I’ll take him."

The group gathered together on shared wings, and flew high into the mountains, weaving between ridges and narrow pathways, until finally Bree stopped before a sheer wall of stone. She pressed her palm against it.

A faint glyph shimmered under her touch. Slowly, the mountain itself peeled open, revealing a narrow corridor beyond.

Ezra stared, awestruck.

Inside, the estate unfolded like a secret world. Stone halls and airy balconies overlooked chasms filled with mist. Blue banners fluttered in the cool wind, each one embroidered with the symbol of Bree’s family - a silver wing stretched against a full moon.

The space was ancient, but not cold. Living vines adorned the walls, and soft lights glowed from crystal sconces.

It was a home.

Bree led them deeper inside, to a large central hall with plush seating and wide windows that framed the distant mountains beyond.

"You’ll be safe here," Bree promised, her voice a little softer than usual. "All of you."

Ezra lowered Oberyn carefully onto one of the long couches. Oberyn immediately sagged into the cushions, his golden eyes fluttering closed again.

Rav collapsed onto a nearby chair, sprawling with all the dignity of a dead cat. "Whew. Cozy."

Bree’s father remained by the doorway, his massive frame a silent sentinel.

Ezra turned, catching Bree’s gaze. They exchanged a long look, heavy with unspoken promises.

They were safe.

For now.

Ezra moved to sit beside Oberyn, threading their fingers together. He pressed a kiss to the Nephilim’s knuckles, closing his eyes.

He could rest. He could breathe. At least for a little while.