Leon pushed himself upright, his arm throbbing, the deeper wound fear—Boren's illusion still echoing in his mind.

He watched Terya dance with deadly wind, Zara swing with ferocity, Lysette shine through pain. And he remained still, shame burning hotter than his wound.

Terya crouched beside him, her palm pressing to his good shoulder, her green eyes fierce but grounding.

"Breathe, Leon. You've done harder things than this," she said, her voice steady, her touch infectious.

He shook his head, shame threatening to consume him. "I can't—I froze."

Her fingers brushed his jaw, gentle but firm. "You can. Start with one breath. One arc."

Leon closed his eyes, the Wraith's howl, the stench of blood, the Veil's whispers passing through him.

Wind answered—faint but familiar, tied to Terya's bond.

He exhaled, rising. Across the room, Zara deflected a blood orb with her axe's flat, snarling.

"Any time now, little mage!"

Leon raised his hand, wind curling like a snake coiled to strike. He envisioned the arc—its shape, its path.

"Crescent Gale," he said, slashing through the air.

The wind screamed, slicing the crimson fog, striking the Wraith dead center. Its cloak split, revealing writhing shadow beneath.

The creature shuddered, its shriek like shattering glass, its form flickering.

Terya's grin widened. "There he is."

Lysette offered a small nod from the pillar, her guarded expression softening, the corners of her lips twitching with approval.

The Wraith reeled, fading into the mist like a wounded predator, its form scattering among the red fog, the Starbloom Crystal pulsing brighter on the altar, its light steady.

Leon dropped his hand, his chest heaving, his arm throbbing but a spark of confidence blooming. "I… did it," he said, his voice shaky but proud.

"Yes you did it again hero," Terya said, her fingers brushing his, her green eyes warm.

She leaned in, kissing his cheek, then his mouth, brief but firm, her breath grounding him.

Zara rolled her neck, her axe resting on her shoulder, a smirk breaking through. "Not bad, healer. Just don't die before you fix me."

Leon chuckled, the tension bleeding from him. "I'll try."

The chamber grew quiet, save for the Starbloom's soft pulses and the Veil's fading whispers.

_____________

The Starbloom Crystal pulsed in Leon's palm like a living heart, its soft glow painting his fingers with pale light as he stared, the bone altar behind him humming with the echo of battle.

The Veilbound Wraith had retreated, its shadowy form fading into the red mist, but the sanctum of the Temple of Lysara felt no safer.

The crimson mist thickened, as if the Crimson Veil was angered by the wound they'd inflicted, its whispers curling louder, a chorus of menace.

Terya stood at Leon's side, her green eyes narrowed at the crystal, her chest rising steadily, her leather top clinging to her sweat-slicked curves.

Zara lingered near the chamber's entrance, her axe slung across her back, her silver hair damp, her curse marks pulsing faintly beneath her bronze skin.

She kept her stance steady, but a wince betrayed her pain as she shifted her weight.

Lysette had collapsed near a fractured pillar, her white robe clinging to her sweat-drenched body, her knees curled up, her cracked staff clutched to her chest.

Her curse marks glowed with agonized fury, spreading up her arms like veins of molten glass, her light magic flickering weakly.

She trembled, her emerald eyes dull with pain.

Leon stepped toward her, his breath shaky, his voice echoing softly. "Lysette."

She didn't respond, her fingers tightening around her staff.

He crouched, placing the Starbloom Crystal beside her, its light flaring in recognition.

Lysette whimpered, her face twisting as the crystal's proximity tugged at her curse, the red marks pulsing brighter.

Terya approached, her voice low.

"It's time, Leon. Her curse won't last much longer. Neither will she."

Leon nodded, fear gripping him, but Zara's subtle nod from the entrance steadied him—not soft, but unwavering.

Terya laid a hand on his shoulder, guiding him to a half-crumbled alcove behind hanging drapery, the red mist nearly opaque, the air thick with whispers.

"You need strength for this," Terya whispered, pressing him against the cool wall, her green eyes locked on his, warm but intense. "I'll help."

Leon's mouth opened in protest, but Terya's fingers were already at his trousers, tugging them down with practiced ease, the red glow catching the glint in her eyes.

Her hand wrapped around his cock, slow and sure, stroking in long, teasing motions, her other hand splayed against his stomach, grounding him.

Her lips brushed near his hip, her breath warm, sending shivers down his spine. "You're still shaking," she murmured, her voice a sultry purr.

Leon gasped, his hands bracing the wall. "I—I'm fine."

"Liar. But that's okay. I'm here. Just focus on me," she said, her strokes sensual, her fingers curling just right.

Her lips kissed along his skin, teasing, never quite taking him in, keeping him teetering.

A gust of wind swirled around them, reacting to his rising arousal, the Veil's mist pushed back by his magic's surge.

Her pace quickened, slick and steady, her moans soft, vibrating through him.

Leon climaxed with a stifled groan, his head tipping back, pleasure pulsing through his core.

Terya leaned forward, catching his release with a soft hum, wiping her hand clean against her thigh. She stood, pressing her forehead to his, her breath warm.

"Feel better?"

He nodded, his chest heaving, his wind magic humming steady, a breeze before a storm. "Yeah. Thank you," he said, his grin faint but genuine.

"Good. You're going to need it. That ritual's not going to be gentle," she said, her smirk returning.

They returned to the sanctum.

Lysette trembled, her curse marks climbing her neck, her robe slipping further, revealing her narrow waist and delicate hips. Her emerald eyes fluttered open, pain etched deep.

"You really going to do it?" she rasped, her voice thick.

Leon nodded, his voice steady. "Yeah. I have to."

Zara shifted, her stance guarded, her blue eyes holding no judgment. Lysette stared at Leon, then let her head fall back.

"Then hurry the hell up."

Leon knelt beside her, the Starbloom Crystal pulsing brighter, casting light over them.

Terya stood behind, arms crossed, her eyebrow raised.

"Don't get lost in the taste. We'll need you functional after."

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