Felmer extended his hand to grab the jewel. But she closed her fist.

  “One thing…” She said.

  She moved away Felmer’s sword with two fingers and stood. She ruffled her clothes. She took a deep breath. And then handed Felmer the jewel.

  Felmer hesitated a bit and took it. It was real. The queen had given up.

  “Why did you give up?” Felmer asked as he sheathed his sword.

  After some time, he returned to normal and stumbled. He had used a lot of magic and blood.

  The squad came running inside.

  “Place the jewel in your badge. I know you have it. I saw it in your pocket.” The queen said.

  He followed her words and placed the jewel inside the lower slot. Light red veins spread from the jewel and covered the slot. All three jewels glowed with their lights, and Felmer felt himself getting healed. It was the power of the first jewel. He could feel the power of the second and the third jewel as well.

  Felmer and his companions were confused.

  “Hmm…You don’t seem to know about it. When there are three or more jewels in the badge, you can use their power.”

  “But last time I heard, I can’t use the jewels once they are in the badge. They needed to be in a specific sword.” Felmer said, confusingly.

  “Well, being in the Alcapraz isn’t necessary. You learn something new every day.”

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  “Why are we so relaxed right now?” Melfer asked.

  “I am not fighting anymore. My father taught me that accepting defeat and improving is better than losing your life.” She smirked. “And you attacked me. I was defending myself.”

  The legend was true. She was the daughter of Larnet.

  They nodded and looked at her. She was right. Soon, the locals arrive there as well. They came forward and surrounded them.

  The queen looked around. Then she snapped her fingers. Suddenly, the sky began to crack and fall. The locals gasped, and suddenly they transformed into skeletons and fell.

  “What? How?” Lelis was shocked.

  “130 years had passed, dear.” The queen said. She hadn’t changed a bit. “They were simple humans. I have achieved immortality like my father.”

  The squad looked at the hundred skeletons. It made them sad. They fought under a fake sky for a land that was out of time.

  It took them a minute to realise, but they felt like they had changed as well. They felt old as well.

  “Is it me, or have we aged?” Felmer asked, confused.

  “Yes, you have aged. You spent two days here.” The queen spoke calmly. “Which is equivalent to four years outside.”

  The squad’s jaws dropped in shock.

  “Four years!?!?” Melfer said in shock.

  Suddenly, the queen began to disappear. Her body began to turn into ash from below.

  “The jewel never gives one extra power. They only enhance what they have. One jewel has a hundred years of magic. I used it for more than a hundred years; hence, I am experiencing the aftereffects.” She said as half of her body turned into ash.

  They felt a glow of light behind them. They turned and saw the sun falling on the horizon. The sky glowed with red and orange light. It was twilight.

  “The Twilight Queen meeting her end at twilight…How poetic.” The queen said. And then she extended her hands towards Felmer.

  Without hesitation, Felmer grabbed the hand. The queen looked at Felmer, smiling. A tear rolled down her cheeks.

  “You fought well…” She shook Felmer’s hand and then vanished.

  The squad saw the ashes fall and settle among the remains.

  Felmer looked at the ashes and then at the badge. He understood that not all shining things are a blessing. Everything has an aftereffect. The three jewels shone with a bright light. He felt the great power and responsibility now lying on his shoulders. And that power didn’t bring happiness at all. He looked again at the setting sun. Only one thought came to him.

  ‘Time to move on…’