[[Ellette|Ellette]] lay motionless on the cold stone of Ravenloft’s rooftop, her breathing gone, her face pale and lifeless. Around her, chaos reigned as her companions fought desperately against Strahd, their grief turning into blind fury. "You’ll pay for this, monster!" [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] screamed, lunging forward, her lute resonating with powerful magic, sending piercing bolts toward Strahd. Strahd laughed mockingly, effortlessly weaving through their attacks. "Oh, is this anger I see? Pathetic! Is this all your sorrow grants you—blindness?" [[Qwimby|Qwimby]], blood dripping down his face from his wounded eye, spat defiantly. "You're going to pay for every drop of blood spilled!" He fired shot after shot, but Strahd merely brushed them aside like gnats, retaliating with lightning-quick ripostes. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] summoned swirling fire, his eyes blazing in desperation. "Stand your ground! Hold the line!" Strahd danced through [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]’s flames, grinning cruelly. "You're nothing without your leader, wizard!" [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] surged forward, wild vines bursting from the stone, desperately trying to ensnare Strahd. "We'll fight until our final breath!" Strahd laughed again, the sound cruel and mocking. "And I will savour watching each of you fall." Suddenly, there was a sharp crack. A simple ring on [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s finger shattered, scattering fragments of metal and gemstone across the rooftop. In an instant, the world around her shifted. [[Ellette|Ellette]] found herself standing in a vast, radiant expanse of white. The air shimmered gently, warmth enveloping her. She turned slowly, bewildered and disoriented, her gaze landing on a magnificent, ethereal amethyst dragon. "Visidera?" she whispered breathlessly, eyes wide with awe and disbelief. The dragon's deep, resonant voice filled her mind gently. "[[Ellette|Ellette]], my child. Now is not your time." "What do you mean?" [[Ellette|Ellette]] asked, desperation edging her voice. "My friends—they need me!" "They do," Visidera acknowledged, her eyes shining with wisdom. "But more than that, the world itself will soon need you. A dark force rises in distant realms, one that threatens the balance of all life. You and your allies must grow strong and prepare for the battles yet to come." [[Ellette|Ellette]] reached out, tears welling in her eyes. "But how can I—?" Visidera extended her great, shimmering wings, warmth radiating comfort and strength. "Trust yourself, and trust your friends. You have always been stronger than you know. Return now, [[Ellette|Ellette]]. Your allies await." The white world began to fade as [[Ellette|Ellette]] felt herself pulled back, drawn sharply toward her physical form. [[Ellette|Ellette]]'s eyes snapped open, glowing fiercely with newfound power. Her breathing returned, strong and deep, as her body surged with draconic energy. Her hair burst into a brilliant, glowing white light as translucent amethyst wings unfolded behind her, enveloping her in a draconic spirit. Strahd paused, momentarily stunned. "Impossible…" [[Ellette|Ellette]] rose gracefully, eyes blazing. "Not impossible—just overdue." She lunged forward with blinding speed, striking Strahd with the raw fury and strength of a dragon unleashed. Her moonblade sang as it clashed against Strahd’s form, sending him sprawling backward. [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]’s face lit with joy and fierce determination. "She’s back!" [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] roared, newfound vigour surging within him. "This ends now!" Together, the party attacked with renewed ferocity, their strikes precise and powerful. Strahd faltered, his movements slower, panic growing in his eyes. "You…you cannot defeat me!" Strahd snarled, desperation seeping into his voice. "Watch us," [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] replied defiantly, channelling lightning into a devastating blast. [[Ellette|Ellette]] and [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] advanced, pushing Strahd back relentlessly. "This is for everyone you took from us," [[Ellette|Ellette]] shouted, her voice resounding with power. With a final, decisive strike, they both plunged their weapons into Strahd’s chest. Strahd let out an agonized scream as his body dissolved into swirling black mist and fled through the castle corridors. "His coffin!" [[Ellette|Ellette]] shouted urgently. "Quickly!" The party sprinted down the winding stairs, hearts pounding. They burst into the crypt to see Strahd’s body slowly reforming, shadows gathering around it. [[Ellette|Ellette]] turned to [[Qwimby|Qwimby]], breathing hard. "[[Qwimby|Qwimby]]—care to do the honors?" [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] nodded solemnly. He took Pirate’s sword from his belt, and [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] quickly handed him the radiant Sunblade. [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] stood over Strahd’s vulnerable form, raising both blades high. "This is for Pirate. For every soul you've stolen," [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] whispered with cold fury. He plunged both blades down into Strahd’s heart. A blinding explosion of dark energy erupted, shaking Ravenloft violently. The party shielded their eyes, bracing themselves as silence descended abruptly upon the crypt. When they opened their eyes, there was only peace. No sounds of combat or chaos echoed through the halls of Ravenloft. The silence was absolute. Cautiously, the party stepped outside the castle gates. The storm clouds had begun to part, the horizon glowing faintly. They stared in stunned awe as sunlight broke through for the first time, casting its gentle warmth across the ravaged land of Barovia. "It’s...over?" [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] breathed, eyes wide with disbelief. "It seems so," [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] murmured, still cautious, but hopeful. Suddenly, a powerful, radiant energy enveloped them, gently pulling them away from the battlefield. As quickly as the sensation began, it ended. They blinked, opening their eyes to find themselves standing just outside their own keep, bathed in the gentle glow of dawn. "We're home," [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] said softly, a smile slowly spreading across his face. [[Ellette|Ellette]] exhaled deeply, her draconic aura fading gently back into her usual form. "Yes... home." [[Qwimby|Qwimby]]’s hand went to his wounded eye, and [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] took his other hand reassuringly. "We did it," she whispered. "We really did it." Exhausted yet victorious, Sordia Vignti turned toward their keep, their home—ready to rest, heal, and prepare for whatever new battles the future would surely bring. [[Chapter 93. Returning Home]]