If only this world had shown a little more mercy, maybe she wouldn't have turned out to be the monster she had become.

Now she's finally seeing her efforts pay off, despite the years she had spent under the torture of the universe's whims, and she's going to soak that feeling in.

And Ivana is here to watch. The only soul that had gotten in her way of revenge, and she will be forced to watch as Arden makes her kingdom crumble. She'd specially prepared a cage for Ivana to lie in, and had perfectly timed her awakening, so she'd be dazed and powerless as the city she grew up in bursts into flames before her.

It makes Arden laugh in the thrill of it all.

The Volcan Stone in her hands leaves a burning sensation, reminding her of the true power it holds. The power to crumble a nation.

She walks towards the edge of the cliff, perching herself in the best seat to watch the show, other than Ivana, who's locked up and hung off a tree right beside her, dangling over the rocky shores below. Arden locks her sights on the castle on the hill across the violent sea, and lifts the Volcan Stone above her head, aiming it.

This is her moment. Nothing can take it away from her.

She's never felt more vindicated in her entire life. It's all worth it now; the months spent in prison, being nearly starved. The constant chasing between her and Ivana, never escaping without a brush by death. The loss of the only woman she ever loved, taken away from her by the very king that swore to protect her and her family all those years ago.

It all came down to this.

Arden recites the incantation to activate the Volcan Stone. As it lights up, harnessing the power of the suns above and launching it towards the kingdom, she's shot through with the sense of being burned alive. She can barely keep her arms above her head, and she's forced to her knees, bowing to the power that grants her revenge.

She can make it through this. This is what she's been waiting for, this is it, she just has to keep her hands trained on the target and it'll all be worth it. This pain is nothing. It means nothing when you've been through so much worse.

And soon enough, it's over. The stone darkens, and its power has been lost forever, finally fulfiling its purpose.

When Arden drops the stone and looks up, watching in awe at the fireball that was once the kingdom, she grins wildly for the first time since she lost her love.

Now, Arden may rest. Her mission is complete.