The crowd was so loud.
So alive.
So happy.
All because of us.
I killed Julius.
Me. Sosuke Estrella.
That's what I told myself.
Yet, something about it all felt wrong. There were hundreds—no, thousands—of people crowding the streets, faces glowing with awe, hands waving small flags of Westoria. They were here to celebrate the heroes of the war. The Starborn. The Council. Quinn. Aurelius. Not one thought seemed spared for the soldiers who had bled out on nameless fields, their bodies never recovered.
This was what I had wanted. To make a name for myself. To stop living as the Sword Saint's son, forever buried beneath his shadow.
Now, I finally had that. Sosuke Estrella. Hero of the war.
Yet, I felt nothing.
Only the faint echo of an emptiness I couldn't explain.
⸻
Sosuke waved to the sea of people, forcing a grin. The streets of Novara, the capital of Westoria, were alive with noise and color. Streamers hung from lampposts powered by flickering gaslight. Brass bands lined the sidewalks, their instruments glinting beneath the pale sun. Smoke from the engines of parade floats curled into the sky, carrying the smell of oil and iron. The roads shimmered faintly from an early drizzle, reflecting the gleam of polished boots and gold medals.
Reid threw up both arms, waving wildly. "Yes! Thank you!" he shouted, voice practically swallowed by the cheers. His energy could've powered the whole parade.
Arthur and Lyra stood near the front of the float, wearing faint smiles that looked more polite than joyous. Ren lingered a few steps behind, posture perfect, eyes forward—every bit the stoic prodigy.
Elowen stayed close to Arthur, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her uniform jacket. She half-hid behind his shoulder, flinching every time someone in the crowd yelled her name.
A gentle tap brushed Sosuke's wrist.
"Hey."
He turned. Rin stood beside him, posture relaxed, eyes on the crowd. Her black hair fluttered in the wind.
"What's up?" Sosuke asked.
"Did you sleep well?" she asked quietly, not looking at him yet.
He tilted his head. "Of course. Why?"
Rin finally glanced his way, eyes soft but unreadable. After a moment, she turned back toward the cheering crowd. "Never mind. I'm just overthinking." Her voice was calm, but there was something fragile beneath it. "Having all these people here makes me feel a little nervous. I just wish I could see my dad somewhere in this mess."
Sosuke's hand lowered to his side. "Have you visited him yet?"
Rin's smile faded. She hesitated, then shook her head. "No. I… haven't been able to."
Sosuke looked ahead, the cheers ringing hollow in his ears. "It's okay," he said softly.
The parade reached its end at the center of Novara, where the streets opened into a massive square lit by rows of tall gas lamps. The rain had stopped, but the pavement still glistened beneath the amber light. Banners of Westoria fluttered from rooftops. Soldiers lined the edges of the plaza, their uniforms neat and faces hollow from exhaustion. The cheering dulled to a restless murmur as Gabriel Aurelius stepped onto the stage.
He looked thinner, paler than before. His once radiant golden hair now hung shorter, the edges duller. A white suit trimmed with blue draped across his frame, hiding the scars beneath. Though weakened, his presence still commanded the air.
"I'm glad to see so many of you gathered here today." His voice carried through the square, echoing off stone walls, amplified by a blend of magic and machine. "As of a week ago, on December first, 1023, the Westoria–Astoria War has officially ended. It was a raging conflict between two nations that were once one. Now we stand at the dawn of peace. The Blight scourge is fading, and our people can finally look toward the future without fear."
His words painted a dream across the city. The crowd erupted in cheers.
Sosuke smiled and clapped along, his hands moving on instinct. The faces before him blurred together, a sea of mouths moving and eyes shining. The sound was too big. Too bright. It bled into one long ringing hum that hollowed out his chest.
He thought about how he was built for war, shaped for violence. The cheers weren't for a man, they were for a weapon that had served its purpose.
No family. No powers.
What comes next?
⸻
A week later, the same square hosted a memorial. The lamps flickered against black banners and rows of white flowers that lined the stage. A slow hymn filled the air, faint and distant like a memory.
Sosuke stood among the mourners, his eyes tracing the endless rows of names carved into polished stone. So many names. Too many.
They celebrated before they mourned. How is that fair? he thought. How do we smile before we bow our heads?
He stared at his reflection in the marble, alive, whole, undeserving.
⸻
By evening, the city had quieted. Six o'clock struck, and the Starborn gathered at the military memorial on the western edge of Novara. The snow had begun to fall in soft, patient flakes that melted as they touched the ground.
They spread out across the rows of graves.
Sosuke stopped in front of Ryoma's, holding a small bouquet of irises. The petals shone faintly beneath the lamplight. He crouched, placing the flowers at the base of the headstone, his hand brushing against the cold stone.
"Hey… brother," he whispered. "I wish I'd known you better. You'd probably be proud of me, huh?" He let out a small laugh that didn't sound right. "I don't even know what to say to you. Guess that says enough."
He stayed like that for a moment, staring at the ground.
The sound of steps behind him broke the quiet. Rin walked over, hands tucked into her coat pockets, her breath curling in the cold air.
"How you doin'?" she asked.
Sosuke stood, rubbing his nose with the back of his hand. "I'm good. Just… talking."
Rin smiled faintly. "You know, when he was dying, all he talked about was you. How he thought he might've disappointed you."
Sosuke blinked, his expression tightening. "Was that supposed to make me feel better?" His voice cracked, and he pressed a hand to his mouth.
Rin flinched. "Ah, I'm sorry! I thought it would… help somehow." Her tone shrank to a whisper.
He wiped his tears and smiled. "It's fine. You tried. That's what matters."
Rin folded her arms, cheeks red from the cold. "Whatever."
The air bit at Sosuke's skin. Snowflakes landed on his hair, melting before they could settle. He looked up at the darkening sky. "I wonder how Ren's taking this."
⸻
Ren stood at another grave, alone. The world around him was washed in white. Milo's name was etched into the headstone, clean and sharp.
"You were a fool," Ren muttered. "You admired me. That was your mistake."
His fingers brushed snow from the stone. "Still, I could've taught you more. Could've saved you, maybe. Guess that makes me the fool now."
He exhaled, the breath curling into the frozen air. The words came out empty.
Even if I wanted to cry, I don't think I could.
"Hey, Ren!" Reid waved from afar. "We don't wanna be late to the gala, but we can't leave without you!" he shouted.
Ren sneered and shook his head. "That idiot." He looked once more at Milo's grave, a thin layer of snow already gathering along the name carved in stone. His breath left a white trail as he turned away, boots pressing faint prints into the untouched snow.
——
Sosuke stood before the mirror, adjusting his collar for the fourth time. The suit was finely cut, the deep navy fabric trimmed with faint violet embroidery that shimmered under the lamp. Silver buttons caught the light, and a silk ribbon traced his shoulders and cuffs.
He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling softly. "I can't believe I'm doing this again. All in one day." His reflection stared back with the same tired eyes. He looked away before he could start thinking too much.
"What're you so self-conscious about?" Reid leaned on the doorframe with arms crossed and a smirk. "Even if it's formal, it's stylish. I'm sure no one will be able to look away when they see us."
Sosuke turned, grinning. "Oh yeah? What do you mean us? I got mine tailored. You picked the standard issue."
"Pff. It's not all in the clothes, my friend. Unfortunately, I've got the better face. Infinitely more important than the outfit." Reid patted him on the shoulder. "One day, Sosuke. Maybe." He laughed and left.
Sosuke faced the mirror again, but this time, he couldn't hold his own gaze. "Why is this so hard," he muttered. His eyes darted down. The smile he tried to put on felt unnatural, forced. He moved away and checked his watch. "8:10. Great. I'm late." A sigh escaped him as he brushed the sweat from his forehead and headed out.
——
The ballroom glowed in amber light. Chandeliers hung low, scattering warmth across the marble floors and mirrored walls. A band played near the stage, their instruments glinting beneath soft candlelight.
Rin sat at a round table, chin in hand, her glass of wine untouched. The scent was sharp, the taste bitter. "This party sucks," she muttered, her voice nearly lost beneath the music.
Across from her, Elowen smiled faintly, her eyes glimmering beneath the lanterns.
Rin peered up. "What's got you cheery?"
Elowen tilted her head. "It's a lively night. I'm just… enjoying it. The music, the people, all of it. I've never been to something like this." She brushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, almost catlike in the motion.
"There's nothing to do," Rin groaned.
"I was trying to tell you to do the same as me. You never know what might happen." Elowen stood, and before Rin could protest, she tugged her arm.
Rin gasped softly. "Wait— what are you—"
"Just come on."
Elowen pulled her onto the dance floor and began moving. Her rhythm was hopelessly off.
Rin covered her mouth, laughing. "You look ridiculous. You're not even in time with the song."
"I told you, I've never heard it before." Elowen's grin widened. "Besides, who cares?"
"For someone so shy, you seem in your element… so to speak." Rin laughed, a low purr of amusement escaping her. "I don't know how to dance anyway."
"I do."
Sosuke's voice came from the side. Rin turned, startled. He stood with a faint blush and a small, awkward smile.
Elowen giggled softly and slipped away, blending into the crowd.
Rin's eyes drifted down his attire, the polished buttons, the sharp cut of his jacket, the violet sheen that matched his eyes.
He turned slightly, embarrassed. "Can you say something?"
She raised her hand. "Show me how you move, lightning boy."
He sighed, smiling. "I hope that doesn't stick."
Taking her hand, Sosuke pulled her closer. "There's a lot of people here. I might get performance anxiety."
"You're going to let that stop you?"
"It might."
Rin's lips curved upward, faintly amused.
He began to sway them gently to the side. Their steps found the rhythm, small and measured, each motion slow and uncertain at first. The room faded around them, sound turning distant, the world narrowing to breath and warmth.
Rin brushed back a loose strand of his hair, her fingers grazing his ear. "You're wearing the earrings…"
Sosuke's gaze lowered to her collarbone. A silver pendant caught the light. "Looks like you didn't forget something either."
Rin's voice faltered. "W-well, I had to come prepared. It's not like I expected you to notice."
"It's a good thing you're a bad liar. I'll never have to worry about that."
He shifted his hand, guiding her into a slow turn before drawing her close again.
Rin leaned back, feigning shock. "I am not a bad liar. Maybe I'm so good you just don't know when I lied."
Sosuke laughed. "I doubt it."
"I hate you." Her grin betrayed her words.
"Just like that?"
"Shut up."
He pulled her closer. Their foreheads touched. They both laughed, their rhythm falling apart, but neither cared.
"I'm not really that good at dancing," Sosuke admitted quietly. "I had a bit of practice at best."
"Oh, I know. You're not so great at lying yourself."
Sosuke's violet eyes softened. "I haven't told you how great you look, have I?"
Her eyes darted to the floor. "Why would you say that now?"
He hesitated, almost surprised by his own honesty. "Because I couldn't help but think it."
They slowed.
"As I looked at you."
Her breath caught. The music carried on, but they stood still, eyes locked.
For a moment, it was as if the world waited, sound thinning to silence, every note stretching into the space between them.
Sosuke leaned forward, eyes fluttering closed.
Their lips met.
The noise of the ballroom faded into a low hum, swallowed by the warmth of that single instant. Her hand rested lightly against his chest, feeling the uneven beat of his heart. He exhaled against her, a sound that trembled somewhere between relief and disbelief.
When they finally parted, the music swelled again, and the light seemed to shift , softer, golden.
They didn't speak.
The night moved on.