Chapter 69: The Price of Power

For now, they had a kingdom to rebuild, and a future to shape. The fall of the Mad King was just the first step on a long and winding road.

Madison and Wald stood side by side, watching the sun rise over the battlefield. The air still smelled of smoke and blood, but a new day had dawned. They'd won, but victory came at a steep price.

"We should head back," Wald said, his voice gruff with exhaustion. "The others will be waiting."

Madison nodded, her body aching from the fight. As they trudged back to camp, she couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. The power she'd tapped into during the battle still hummed under her skin, making her feel jittery and on edge.

They found Astrid waiting for them at the edge of the camp, her face grim. "We've got trouble," she said without preamble. "Some of the wounded... they're not healing right."

Wald frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Come see for yourself."