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Chapter 43

– Damn it! – Ayris swore, – another explosion! We lost!

– They are still there! – Leo said anxiously.

– They have to come out now! – Mai spoke irritably, pulling Chris along, – the Tree can’t be saved!

– Look! – someone in the crowd shouted, and the friends turned around.

The Tree… the same majestic World Tree that had been wilting and dying just a moment ago, shone and blossomed right before their eyes. The flowers shimmered as if enchanted, the crown became ever more lush. It reached up, as if trying to touch the very heavens. The smoke dispersed in the wind, and it became so easy to breathe, as if a burden had fallen from their shoulders.

– What the hell is this? – Ayris stared at the resurrected Tree in shock.

– This is resonance… – Adelson-Senior said.

– Nari!!! – Leo dashed from his place, but a powerful hand grabbed him by the collar.

He turned around and saw Kae. He shook his head. Leo fell to his knees.

– I can't believe… – he whispered, – they couldn't…

– They… gave everything they had, – Kaede sighed heavily, – everything they had… to save the Tree. And all of us.

***

That day everything changed. At the explosion site, the Tree blossomed with new strength. The energy it radiated was enough not only to restore the barrier but also to expand it. In the few days following the terrorist act, it was established that areas previously regarded as closed by the fog were cleared and no contamination by camelia was recorded there anymore.

Information about the existence of resonance was indeed made public. The story of the salvation of the World Tree by an Alpha and an Omega became a new legend, based on which new narratives for the present and the future were planned to be built. Eventually, a decision was made to dismantle all ghettos and to grant equality status to all Omegas. All farms were opened and repurposed into shelters for Omegas, where they received assistance. The aid center was headed by Kanetika Tami, who created a complete program for the adaptation of omegas in society.

Changes also took place in the ruling branch of Katoria. At the initiative of Saifer Adelson himself, a separate council of elders was created to manage different areas of life. Positions were divided among the heads of Alpha clans, leaders of betas, and the oldest Omega leaders. Kaede Neis joined the council as a guardian of the Elder Omegas.

In this world, much needed to change. Accepting the new reality was not easy. Not everyone agreed with it right away. There were attempts at uprisings, rallies, protests. But there were also those who simply wanted to live and work in peace. And there were those who were just grateful to the two who gave their lives, sacrificed their love and their time, so that Katoria could continue to live. Their bodies were never found while clearing the rubble in the Arena; they must have burned to ashes. But the memory of them would live on for centuries. And the World Tree again became a witness to the love that saved thousands of lives. The Tree saw them both. Noah Adelson, a dominant Alpha without a battle call, with eyes the color of northern ice. And Inaria Neis, a dominant Omega, in whose eyes the stars and love were reflected...

**Epilogue**

– Mom! Come on! Faster!!! – a little girl with chestnut curls ran ahead.

This spring was warm and sunny. A gentle breeze carried tender red petals of flowers through the streets. Today, the World Tree was officially opening in the center of the city. Now, every winter, the Tree would be covered with a transparent glass dome that protected it from the cold, and in spring, this dome would be taken off when the first flowers bloomed on the Tree. Almost all the townspeople gathered to see this spectacle. People from all over Katoria had come to Elestri as well. For ten years, there had been a legend here that whoever looked at the first flowers with their loved one would have their love flourish, and not even fate would separate them.

– Mio, wait! Don’t run into the crowd! – her mother was barely keeping up with her.

– Tika? – someone in the crowd called out to her, – Kanetika, is that you?

– Oooo, Leo! – the woman stopped, – Mio, come back immediately! Darling, catch her, please.

The man nodded and, quickly kissing her cheek, ran after the little girl. Kanetika turned to acquaintances.

– Long time no see, Leo, Ayris, – she greeted them with a smile.

– You look wonderful, – Ayris, who was holding Leo's hand tightly, smiled sincerely, – how are you? Have you returned to work yet?

– Yes, I’m working! While I was away, Mai did pretty well!

– Oh, so Mai has indeed stayed on as your deputy? – Leo asked, – how is she? Is she alright?

– More than alright, – Tika nodded, – she works almost without days off. The omegas adore her. She is like one of them, even though she’s an Alpha. And what about you? I heard your café made it to the TOP-5 establishments in the city!

– That’s true, – Ayris said proudly, – you should come by someday; you were only at the opening. You could bring Mio; we’re just testing a new children’s menu! Leo is making incredible éclairs!

– I definitely will, – Tika lowered her gaze to the men’s hands, – new wedding rings?

– Our relationship is now official, – Ayris chirped brightly, pulling Leo closer to him.

– Stop it, – the latter laughed, – people are…

– You haven’t changed, – Tika hugged them both, – I’m so glad to see you. I’ve missed you so much.

– How about we all have a drink together sometime? Let’s invite Mai, Kaede, – Ayris suddenly suggested, – after all, the tenth anniversary is coming up…

Leo’s gaze flickered for a moment. As if sensing his mood, Tika also grew somber. But quickly regaining herself, she sighed out loud.

– Yes, we need to all drink together, – she said, – Nari loved ginger beer. I think we need to buy more of it.

– Yes, – Leo smiled, – ginger beer, white fish, and mischief. She adored them.

– And that damn Alpha, what did he love? – Ayris snorted jokingly.

– He loved Nari, – Leo smiled sadly.

– Mom, Mom!!! I just saw something!!! – Tika’s husband approached the trio, holding Mio in his arms, – there by the Tree in the crowd!

– What, daughter? – Tika gently stroked her cheek, – have you seen the flowers?

– There’s a girl standing there, so beautiful! With pink hair, like in the legend! She looks like cotton candy!

– What?.. – Tika dropped her bag from her hands.

– And next to her, a prince! With beautiful eyes!!! – Mio continued excitedly.

Leo and Ayris jumped to their feet. Pushing through the crowd, they ran. Only hope, a fleeting hope… ten years had passed. What were they hoping to see?... Leo stopped, grabbing his beloved by the hand. Ahead, in line to the Tree stood two people. A tall Alpha with snow-white hair. And an Omega he held by the hand, with hair resembling cotton candy. A scorched scar on the Alpha’s face, barely noticeable cuts on the Omega’s hands. Her smile, his confident gaze. Leo didn’t even understand how tears rolled down his cheeks.

– Nari!!! – he shouted loudly into the crowd.

The girl froze and slowly turned around.

– Finally met, – she said with a smile.