The silence after the storm felt… fragile.
Like one wrong movement—
and everything would break again.
Razilia's breathing slowed.
The faint flame in her hair dimmed to a steady glow.
Her eyes—still touched with gold—softened as awareness returned fully.
"…Lucy…"
"…Mark…"
Her voice was quiet.
Not weak—
but heavy.
Lucy tightened her hold on her immediately.
"You don't get to say that like that," she snapped, voice trembling. "Not after whatever that was."
Mark didn't speak.
But his stance said enough.
He wasn't letting this end easily.
Razilia smiled faintly.
Sad.
Knowing.
"…I have to go."
Silence.
Lucy shook her head instantly.
"No."
Mark's voice came low.
"…Explain."
Razilia lifted her hand slowly—
the air around it shimmered faintly.
The cave responded.
The once boiling spring behind them began to calm—
its violent heat fading—
the bubbling slowing—
Until—
It stilled.
Clear.
Pure.
Water.
The transformation wasn't forced.
It was… accepted.
Razilia exhaled softly.
"…You'll need this."
The water rose.
Not in a wave—
but in smooth, controlled strands—
lifting from the spring—
splitting—
condensing—
Forming into sealed containers.
Canteens.
Dozens.
They floated gently toward Lucy and Mark.
Lucy stared at them—
then back at her.
"…you're provisioning us?"
Razilia nodded.
"…You took care of me for years."
A pause.
"…Let me return a little of it."
Mark stepped forward—
his voice firm.
"You're not saying goodbye like this."
Razilia's eyes flickered—
gold deepening—
something older passing through them.
"…You'll find me."
Not if.
When.
Lucy's expression cracked.
"…You better be somewhere we can reach."
Razilia smiled—
this time, softer.
Warmer.
"…I always am."
Behind them—
R2 stepped forward.
"No."
The word was immediate.
Sharp.
Everyone turned.
R2's wings flexed—
his stance locked.
"I refuse."
Razilia blinked—
caught off guard.
"…R2—"
"I am assigned to you."
His voice didn't waver.
"…I am not leaving."
Lucy let out a breath.
"…Kid's got guts."
Mark crossed his arms.
"…or a death wish."
Razilia looked at him—
really looked—
past the armor—
past the training—
At the choice.
"…You don't understand what this is."
R2 shook his head.
"…Then I'll learn."
A pause.
"…With you."
Something in her expression shifted.
Then—
she nodded.
"…Stay close."
The air around them changed.
The cave—
the walls—
the world—
Began to blur.
Not visually—
but feeling.
Like stepping into deep water.
Razilia took a step forward.
The ground didn't feel solid anymore.
Each movement—
heavy—
resistant—
Like walking through an ocean that didn't exist.
Lucy reached out—
but her hand passed through—
just slightly—
"…Raz…?"
Razilia didn't stop.
"Don't follow."
Her voice echoed—
not in space—
but in something deeper.
R2 followed immediately.
At first—
steady—
Then—
his body flickered.
"…what—"
He shrank.
Not collapsing—
not weakening—
Condensing.
Pulled.
Refined.
Until—
He was no longer human-sized.
No longer soldier-shaped.
A small figure—
palm-sized—
still armored—
still intact—
Drifting.
Then settling—
onto her shoulder.
He didn't speak.
Didn't question it.
Just adjusted his stance—
and held on.
Razilia kept walking.
Deeper.
The resistance grew stronger—
then weaker—
then—
Gone.
Light.
Soft.
Warm.
She stumbled forward—
breath catching—
And collapsed into something solid.
Familiar.
Alive.
Fur.
Warm.
Steady.
Her eyes fluttered open.
Above her—
vast—
endless—
A massive form paced.
Back and forth.
Back and forth.
Heavy steps—
controlled—
barely restrained.
"…Papa…?"
He stopped.
Instantly.
Slowly—
carefully—
he lowered himself.
Eyes—
vast—
ancient—
Locked onto her.
Relief.
Not hidden.
Not restrained.
Overwhelming.
"You're awake."
His voice shook the space—
but not from power.
From restraint.
From emotion held too long.
Razilia shifted—
groaning softly—
then blinked.
Something small moved near her collar.
She tilted her head—
And saw him.
A tiny figure—
barely larger than her palm—
curled—
breathing steadily—
R2.
Asleep.
She stared for a moment—
then smiled faintly.
"…You really stayed…"
Above her—
her father exhaled slowly—
like a storm finally breaking.
And for the first time—
since everything began—
She was safe.