Sosuke and Julius clashed in the distance, their power shaking the world around them. The air trembled with thunder and pressure, each strike exploding like a storm against stone.
Arthur stood before the blight that had Elowen pinned in its grasp. The creature's body pulsed with black veins that glowed faintly red, its surface shifting as if made of tar and flesh. Elowen struggled in its hold, her cries muffled by the creature's tendrils.
"The king was right. You're all weak!" The blight's voice gurgled with mockery.
Arthur's expression hardened. "Let go."
In the blink of an eye, he vanished.
The blight twisted around, confusion flashing in its eyes—then its body split open, clean from shoulder to hip. It collapsed with a wet thud.
Arthur's blade was already sheathed when he caught Elowen, lowering her gently to the ground. "Elowen…" He brushed her hair from her face, his voice trembling. "We'll get you back." Her eyes fluttered open just long enough to meet his before rolling shut again. "Lyra!"
Lyra groaned and stood, steadying herself with a hand on the wall. "I'm on it."
Distant explosions rolled across the sky. Reid sat on the crumbling steps, gaze locked on the distant flashes. "Really wish we could do something."
"We'd only get in the way," Lyra said. "It's harder for him to fight if we're there." She knelt beside Elowen, gently laying her flat. The green glow of her healing aura spread from her palms, faint but steady.
Behind them, the air rippled. Rings of violet energy spiraled open—portals, stable and controlled. Through them, soldiers poured out in formation. Medics rushed past and lifted the wounded: Virgil, Ren, Elowen.
A soldier stopped in front of Rin and saluted. "Do you need medical assistance?"
Rin clutched her side, blood soaking through her uniform. "I'll go when I'm ready."
The soldier hesitated, then nodded. "Understood." He followed the others back through the portal, leaving a few to guard the perimeter.
Lyra straightened and turned to Arthur. "You should go too. That stomach wound looks bad."
Arthur didn't move. "I can't miss this."
He climbed the broken stairs toward the edge of the battlefield. The rain soaked his cloak, dripping from his jaw. His fists tightened at his sides as his eyes followed the clash between Sosuke and Julius. No training, no refinement… and he's surpassed me again. The thought burned. His throat tightened.
He watched in silence as Sosuke replicated techniques he'd only ever studied from afar—dark magic, elemental fusion, and the precise control of the generals. Lightning and shadow wove together like living art. Arthur's breath caught as Sosuke's blade met Julius' throat.
Beside him, Rin limped forward, clutching her wound. "He just can't let go," she muttered.
Arthur turned. "What are you talking about?"
"Revenge."
He said nothing, his jaw tensing.
Julius' head fell to the ground with a dull thud. Rain fell heavier, running red across the cracked earth. Sosuke's scream tore through the storm.
He dropped to his knees and slammed his fist into the mud. "He's dead," he whispered, voice breaking. "So why do I still feel angry?"
Rin knelt beside him, placing her hands on his shoulders. Their eyes met. Her gaze was stern, but it trembled with worry.
"You should know by now," she said quietly, "revenge solves nothing."
"But I did it to protect—"
"Yeah, you did." She shook her head. "But there was hatred behind it. Every move you made burned with it. You'll only end up breaking yourself again."
Sosuke's shoulders began to shake. His breath hitched, then turned to sobs. Rin pulled him close and held him as he cried, the storm drowning their silence.
"I'm sorry," Sosuke whispered, voice cracking. "I'm so sorry."
He wiped at his eyes, but the tears kept coming.
Arthur stood a few steps away, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His eyes were fixed on the two of them, his reflection caught faintly in the steel.
He turned away, rain washing over his face as the thunder rolled on.
———
Two months later.
The Starborn was no more. Their banners taken down, insignias stripped, names etched instead into history. Officially retired after victory was declared. The Machine was destroyed, the wormhole sealed over the span of several days—a wound in the sky stitching itself shut. The few remaining blights that wandered the cities were hunted and burned, their twisted bodies dissolving into dust.
Astoria had fallen into chaos after the death of Lance Sterling, but from that ruin, its citizens began to rise. The broken were rebuilding. Virenia and Astoria both signed the peace treaty, forced to repay Westoria for the war's devastation. Slowly, streets once filled with ash and screams found laughter again. The world began to move forward.
Peace.
At least, what was left of it.
Sosuke tugged at his collar, the stiff fabric biting against his neck. In the mirror, a stranger stared back, a soldier in Westoria's formal military uniform: navy-blue coat trimmed with silver lining, polished buttons running down the center, and a dark sash crossing his chest. A silver badge rested near the shoulder, shaped like a wing and a star. It felt heavy.
"I think it looks good on you."
Rin leaned against the doorway, her reflection hovering faintly behind him in the mirror. Her gaze moved slowly from his boots to his collar, her mouth curling into a teasing grin.
Sosuke exhaled, frowning at himself. "You think so? I don't know. Maybe I'm just overthinking it."
"I'm just a little sad you had to cut your hair." Rin stepped closer, brushing her hand through the shorter strands that barely reached his ears. "I liked it long. Gave you that whole 'mysterious warrior' thing. Very dramatic." Her grin widened, clearly mocking him.
Sosuke blinked, half laughing. "I feel like you're making fun of me."
"What gave it away?" She clasped her hands behind her back and took a few steps toward the door. "Now hurry up. The parade's not going to wait just because Sosuke Estrella is fixing his hair."
He smirked faintly. "Right, right…" He looked back at the mirror, adjusting his collar again. You can do this, right? he thought, quietly steadying his breath. He cleared his throat and walked toward the door.
"Sosuke! You still getting ready? Hurrrrryyyyy uppp!" Reid's voice boomed from outside.
Sosuke groaned and rolled his eyes before stepping out. The hotel lobby was bright and polished, lanterns hanging from brass hooks along the walls. Reid stood waiting, already in uniform, his grin unshakable.
"Come on, man, I'm excited for this. Aren't you?" Reid threw an arm around Sosuke's shoulders. "These uniforms make us look like royalty. You look sharp, by the way."
"Heh, yeah…" Sosuke said, half-smiling. "So excited." He patted Reid's shoulder. "How are we even doing this parade thing, anyway?"
"No clue. Ask Lyra. She's bossing people around like usual."
Outside, the city of Westoria glimmered under pale daylight. Gas lamps lined the cobblestone streets, their glass casings polished to shine for the occasion. Steam carriages rolled by carrying banners, while soldiers and workers decorated the path with blue and silver streamers. The air smelled faintly of oil.
Lyra stood near the center of it all, overseeing workers adjusting the parade floats. Large wooden platforms carried painted sculptures of angels and swords—symbols of victory. She turned when she heard Reid's loud voice.
"Oh, you're actually on time."
"Hey, I do not come late to things! Especially something this big." Reid crossed his arms, pretending to be offended.
Sosuke chuckled softly before looking to Lyra. "Do you have any idea how this works? I've never been in one."
Lyra smirked. "Oh, I used to do parades all the time. It was mandatory in my clan for ceremonies. Don't worry, I'll explain every detail." She gestured for him to follow, her braid swinging lightly as they walked.
Rin appeared beside Reid, tapping him on the shoulder. "You know where the others are?"
"Who?"
"Ren, Arthur, and Elowen."
"Oh yeah." Reid pointed toward the far end of the street. "They're over there."
Beyond the procession area, the rest of the Starborn stood together—Arthur in quiet thought, Ren with his hands in his pockets, Elowen seated on a wooden crate speaking softly to a medic. Behind them, the parade floats gleamed in the early light, gas lamps flickering to life as smoke from the nearby factories curled upward into the brightening sky.
Rin appeared in front of them, her grin bright enough to cut through the morning haze. "Hey guys!"
"Rin!" Elowen shot up and ran straight into her, wrapping her in a tight hug that almost lifted her off her feet.
Ren watched with a flat expression, brow raised. "You saw each other two days ago."
"You wouldn't understand the complexities of friendship," Rin said with exaggerated seriousness, patting Elowen's back.
"She's right." Elowen stepped back, nodding with mock wisdom.
Arthur sighed, crossing his arms. "Are you all ready or what?"
"I'm a little nervous," Elowen admitted, brushing a bit of hair from her face. "What's it going to be like with all those people just… staring at us? That's a lot of eyes." She gave an exaggerated shiver, pretending to faint.
Ren tapped his chin. "Yes, quite a horrifying thought."
Arthur's gaze drifted toward the road, where workers were finishing the final touches on the floats. "We'll be recognized for our efforts," he said quietly. "It feels… oddly rewarding."
"That's kinda the whole point." Rin smirked and gave a shrug. "They're doing this for us."
Ren checked the watch on his wrist, sighing. "The parade starts in about thirty minutes. We should probably get going before Lyra decides to kill us."
They began walking together, boots clicking softly against the cobblestone path. The air smelled of oil and paint, workers shouting orders as the last streamers were fastened. Gas lamps flickered along the street, glowing faintly even under daylight.
Elowen leaned closer to Rin, lowering her voice. "I want to be friends with Valcrest too, but she seems scary sometimes. The way Ren talks about her doesn't help either."
Rin laughed quietly, waving a dismissive hand. "You'll be fine. She won't actually kill you. Just… don't call her Valcrest. I don't think she likes that."
Elowen hummed in thought, placing a finger on her chin. "I'll make sure to note that." She raised her index finger like a student making a promise.
Rin smiled faintly as the sound of the city swelled around them—the hum of engines, the flutter of flags, the distant cheers of a crowd gathering for the celebration of peace.