The sun rose over Heliana, soft and golden, washing the ruins of battle with a fragile peace. Smoke no longer blackened the sky. The villagers had begun to rebuild, hamring wood, sewing cloth, cleaning streets once soaked in blood.
We stood at the gates, packs slung across our shoulders. Serin Velra, the Guardians, the Orders, Elder Ryozen, and Captain Kaedros gathered before us. Their faces carried the sa look—gratitude, unspoken yet heavy, a mixture of relief and reverence.
Elder Ryozen's scarred face softened, his ember-like eyes burning with quiet pride. Captain Kaedros, bruised and bandaged, held his stance straight, though I could see the strain behind his posture. Serin fidgeted, his small hands tightening as if afraid to let us go.
Master Isen broke the silence first. His grin was wide, his tone far too light for such a weighty mont.
"Well, that was fun, wasn't it? Monsters, screaming, near-death—truly a vacation spot. Should co here more often."
A ripple of laughter broke from the villagers. Even the Guardians chuckled, though their eyes glistened.
Kaedros exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "…Only you, Master Isen, could call this a vacation."
Isen winked at him. "You're welco, by the way. I fixed your body so you can keep scowling at people another fifty years."
The captain barked out a laugh despite himself, then lowered his head, voice rough. "…You saved us. I owe you my life."
Isen waved a hand dismissively. "Eh, don't get all dramatic. Just don't die so easily next ti. Makes look bad."
I caught myself smiling. "(Even at tis like this… he always makes it lighter. How does he do that?)"
Serin tugged at my sleeve, his voice trembling. "Khael… do you really have to go? Can't you stay here a little longer?"
I crouched to et his eyes. His gaze was filled with innocence, the kind I didn't want to shatter. I placed a hand on his shoulder.
"…I have to, Serin. There's still a long road ahead of . But you—you'll keep growing. You'll protect this place, won't you?"
Serin's lip quivered, but he nodded fiercely. "I will… I promise!"
Kaen leaned over, ruffling Serin's hair until the boy squawked. "That's the spirit. Keep your promises, kid, or I'll co back and haunt you."
A girl approached next, her eyes steady though her voice cracked. "I thought we'd all die here… but because of you, we didn't. Because of you, hope still exists in this place."
Isen grinned. "Nah. Because of all of you. I just… gave the villain a little spanking. You're the ones who'll rebuild the story."
Elder Ryozen stepped forward. His knees creaked as he bowed low. "Master… thank you. For saving this village… and for once again reminding of the lessons you gave in my youth."
Isen scratched the back of his neck, almost sheepish for once. "Ah, don't bow, old man. You'll break your back, and then I'll have to fix that too."
Ryozen chuckled softly, straightening with dignity. "Still… it is rare in this life to bow and an it. Allow this once."
The air went quiet, reverent. I swallowed hard, my chest tightening at the sight.
Isen finally looked back at us, , Kaen, Rael, Lira, Juno, Ceyla with that sa mischievous, warm smile.
"Alright, kids. Ti to say goodbye. Wave, smile, and try not to cry too much. It'll ruin your cool image."
Kaen, of course, shouted imdiately. "WE'LL BE BACK SODAY, SO DON'T FORGET US!!!"
Rael scoffed under his breath, though his jaw was tight. "…Idiot. Don't scream in people's ears."
Lira pressed her lips together, then called out softly, "Thank you for believing in us."
Juno muttered sothing about responsibility, but his eyes betrayed his respect.
And Ceyla… she glanced at once, quick and sharp, before looking away just as fast. "(Don't look at like that… not here. Not now.)"
I sighed, shouldering my pack, and stepped closer to Master Isen. "…Master. Shall we go?"
He smirked, tilting his head, golden hair catching the morning light.
"Yeah. Let's wrap this up, my beloved disciple."
Together, we turned from the village of Heliana, the people waving, smiling, so weeping—and took our first steps onto the road ahead.
"(Goodbye, Heliana. Thank you for surviving… thank you for reminding why I fight.)"
We hadn't even made it past the first ridge when the mood shifted. The village of Heliana faded behind us, and the open road stretched ahead dust, sky, and the unknown.
I adjusted my pack and looked at Master Isen.
"Wait… Master. You're not gonna ditch us here, are you?"
He smirked, hands tucked casually behind his head.
"Listen, Khael… in order for a man to beco strong, he needs to pass so hurdles in life."
Lira tilted her head, her brow furrowing.
"But… I'm a girl."
Isen paused, cleared his throat dramatically, then nodded like a sage pretending he hadn't just been caught.
"Ahem. Well, yeah… details. Sa rule applies."
Kaen burst out laughing, nearly tripping over a rock. "Pfft—Master, you can't just brush it off like that!"
Rael sighed heavily, rubbing his temple. "This is going to be a long journey…"
Juno snorted. "No kidding."
Ceyla walked in silence, her storm-colored eyes flicking toward once—just once—before darting away. I felt my own chest tighten.
"(Why does it feel like every ti she looks at , my throat dries up? Dammit… say sothing, idiot.)"
But the words wouldn't co. Instead, Kaen filled the silence with his usual noise.
"ALRIGHT! Since we're officially back on the road, I say we co up with a party na! Every legendary group has one!"
Lira blinked at him. "A… party na?"
"Yeah!" Kaen grinned, throwing his arms wide. "Like 'The Fla Blades!' or 'The Void Crushers!' or sothing badass like that!"
Rael scoffed. "That's childish."
"Childish?!" Kaen clutched his chest like he'd been stabbed. "This is history in the making! Generations will rember us! We can't just be… 'those kids.'"
Isen chuckled, walking a little ahead of us, his golden hair catching the breeze.
"You kids can argue about nas all you want. But, just so you know… I'll be going first."
We all stopped mid-step.
I blinked."so, you are serious?"
He looked back, his smile easy, almost teasing.
"Exactly what I said. The road ahead isn't just for to lead. You're not going to grow if you always walk in my shadow. So—I'll go first. But sooner or later, one of you will have to take the front."
The words hung there, simple yet heavy, like everything he said.
Kaen grinned, pumping a fist. "Then I call dibs on second place!"
Rael groaned. "Unbelievable."
Ceyla muttered, just loud enough for to hear. "…Idiot."
As Master Isen waved lazily, his figure already growing smaller as he strolled ahead of us. For once, the road felt heavier without him right beside us, like the world was testing how long we could stand on our own.
I slowed my steps until I was walking closer to Ceyla. She kept her gaze fixed forward, her arms folded, her expression unreadable beneath the loose strands of her hair. My chest tightened.
(Khael say sothing... Sothing..)
"…Ceyla. Are you fine?"
(Fine?Khael is this the best you got what are you 10.)
For a mont, silence. Then she let out a small, shaky laugh, barely there.
"…Yeah. I am, idiot."
Her words stung and soothed at the sa ti.
I blinked, caught off guard. "…Idiot?"
She finally glanced at , her eyes glinting like tempered steel.
"You're always worrying about when you're the one carrying everything. That's why you're an idiot."
Her voice was sharp, but… there was a softness buried under it. Sothing only I could hear.
I bit my lip, forcing back the heat rising in my face.
"(Why does she always twist the knife like that… and why do I feel lighter when she does?)"
I smiled faintly, rubbing the back of my neck.
"…Then I'll stay an idiot. As long as it ans I can still ask if you're fine."
Her steps faltered just a little, but she turned away quickly, hiding her face.
"…Suit yourself."
To be continue
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