The mountain air over Mount Solmora trembled with force. Golden light tore through the clearing in sharp arcs, illuminating the cracked ground like flashes of a miniature sun. Almost instantly— CLAP—!! A violent burst of compressed sound collided with it mid-air. BOOOOM!! The impact echoed across the slopes, shaking loose pebbles and sending a flock of birds scattering into the sky. Dust rose in spirals, leaves rustled violently, and the trees themselves seemed to shudder from the clash. Lux slid back across the ground, his boots carving rough lines into the dirt. His breathing was heavy now, shoulders rising and falling with exhaustion, but his eyes still burned with determination. A few feet away, Zack stood with his hands slightly raised, faint vibrations still humming around his palms. His chest heaved as he tried to steady his breath. Between them— Aurelion stood. Still. Calm. Untouched. Not even his clothes had shifted. "Again," he said quietly. Lux groaned, dropping his head back for a second. "Again?! Old man, we've been going at this since sunrise!" Zack wiped sweat from his forehead, squinting at Aurelion. "I'm starting to think he doesn't get tired…" Aurelion's eyes flickered slightly. "That's because I don't waste energy complaining." Lux smirked despite his exhaustion. "Oh, so you admit you're old enough to save energy?" Aurelion didn't reply—but the faintest hint of a smile touched his face. Lux exhaled and raised his hand again. Light gathered instantly, brighter than before, sharper, more controlled—no longer wild, but refined. The glow reflected in his eyes, turning them almost golden. Zack stepped forward beside him. For the first time— They moved together. "Now!" Lux shot forward like a streak of sunlight cutting through the air— Zack clapped his hands— CRACK—!! Sound and light fused into a violent surge, distorting the air itself as it rushed toward Aurelion. And yet— Aurelion moved just one step to the side. That was all. The attack missed. It shot past him and exploded against a large rock behind— BOOM!! The rock shattered into fragments, dust erupting into the air. Silence followed. Lux dropped to one knee, breathing heavily. Zack bent forward, hands on his thighs. "…Yeah… okay… I'm convinced." Lux let out a tired laugh. "He's not human." Zack nodded slowly. "I'm pretty sure he retired from humanity years ago." Aurelion turned calmly toward them. "If you're done talking… stand up." Lux groaned. "Nope. I've officially retired." Before Aurelion could respond— "Food's ready!!" Rose's voice echoed from the cottage. Lux immediately fell flat on his back. "Best technique of the day." Zack laughed. "I need to learn that one." The tension melted as they made their way toward the small wooden cottage nearby. The wind softened, the mountain quieting as if the battle had never happened. Outside the cottage, Emma and Rose had already set the table. Steam rose from freshly cooked food, the warm smell of herbs and spices filling the air. Lux dropped onto the seat dramatically. "I'm alive again." Zack sat down beside him. "Barely." As Aurelion approached, Lux glanced at him with a mischievous grin. "You know… if two-on-one is getting difficult for you…" Zack froze. "…we can take turns, old man." Zack choked. "LUX—?!" Aurelion paused. Then— A small, quiet smile appeared. "Try surviving one round first." Zack blinked. "…Okay yeah, I respect him now." They began eating, the earlier chaos replaced by a peaceful silence broken only by the clinking of utensils and the soft wind brushing through the trees. After a moment, Aurelion looked toward Zack. "You're a Sound technique user." Zack nodded. "Yeah… not very common." "Rare," Aurelion corrected. "And difficult to master." Zack scratched the back of his neck. "I just went with it. Felt right." He paused slightly, his tone softening. "My parents weren't exactly happy about it. They worry I'll get hurt." Emma glanced at him quietly. Aurelion nodded. "That's what parents are for." Zack blinked. "…What?" "To worry," Aurelion said simply. Zack smiled faintly and looked down at his bowl. Aurelion then turned his gaze to Emma. "And you. Emma, was it?" She nodded. "Your control over Earth techniques is quite refined… especially for someone your age." Emma smiled proudly. "Thank you." Zack immediately leaned over. "Yeah, enjoy it while it lasts. Couple more years and—" THWACK! Emma smacked him without hesitation. Zack grabbed his shoulder. "OW—?!" Lux burst out laughing. "Deserved." The moment felt light. Normal. Then Zack glanced at Emma. Emma looked back. A silent conversation passed between them. She leaned back slightly. "You know what?" Everyone looked at her. "I'm bored." Lux raised an eyebrow. "…That's dangerous." Emma grinned. "Let's go back to the city." The air shifted instantly. Lux's expression changed. "…No." His voice was quiet. But heavy. Zack frowned. "Why not?" Lux's gaze dropped to his hands. "They're searching for me." Silence. "…Ray died because of me." The words hung in the air like a weight. Rose's expression softened immediately. Aurelion watched him calmly. "That is not true." Lux didn't look up. "If I hadn't used Halo Rejuvenation—" "You would still be here," Aurelion interrupted. "And he would still be dead." Lux froze. Aurelion's voice remained calm. "Blaming yourself does not change the outcome." "It only traps you in it." The wind moved gently across the clearing. "Life does not stop," Aurelion continued. A pause. "Neither should you." Lux exhaled slowly. His grip loosened. "…Fine." Zack instantly brightened. "YES—!" Emma grinned. "Finally." But Lux didn't smile. Not fully. Aurelion noticed. He said nothing. Rose suddenly spoke, hesitant. "…Wait." Everyone looked at her. "Aren't we wanted in the city?" Zack blinked. "…Oh." Emma smirked. "Relax." She leaned forward confidently. "You don't need to worry about that, Mrs. Aron." Rose froze. Her face turned red instantly. "E-Emma—?!" Lux choked. "WAIT—?!" Zack looked between them. "…Did I miss something?!" Emma continued like nothing happened. "Everyone in the city is wearing Ray's masks to honor him." She gestured outward. "There'll be thousands of people." "No one's checking every single face." She crossed her arms confidently. "We blend in." Silence. Then— "…That's actually smart," Zack admitted. Lux blinked slowly. "…You thought of that?" Emma smirked. "Obviously." Even Aurelion gave a slight nod. "…Not bad." Emma looked extremely pleased with herself. The next morning arrived quietly. The mountain stood still, bathed in soft sunlight. Bags were ready. The path ahead uncertain. Lux, Rose, Zack, and Emma stood before Aurelion. For a moment, no one spoke. Then Lux scratched his head. "…Don't die while we're gone, old man." Zack groaned. "Why are you like this?" Aurelion chuckled softly. "I'll try." Rose stepped forward. "Thank you… for everything." Emma nodded. "Yeah. We'd be dead without you." Zack added, "Multiple times." Aurelion's gaze rested on Lux. "Remember what I told you." Lux nodded slowly. "…Yeah." Without another word— They turned. And began walking down the mountain. Their figures growing smaller against the vast slopes of Mount Solmora. Far away, in the heart of Meridicus— A man stood before the throne room doors. Still. Silent. Helio. His eyes opened slowly. "…Soon." And somewhere on the descending path— Lux walked forward. Unaware. That with every step… He was moving closer to him.
The city of Meridicus was unrecognizable. Not because it had changed— But because everyone had. Crowds filled the streets, yet something about them felt… unified. Everywhere Lux looked, he saw the same face. Ray's. White masks molded in his likeness covered the faces of citizens—men, women, even children. Some wore them with pride, some with grief… and some simply followed the crowd. Shops were open, vendors called out as usual, lanterns swayed above the streets— But beneath it all, there was tension. A city mourning. A city watching. A city waiting. And within that sea of identical faces— Four figures moved quietly. Blending in. Avoiding attention. Lux adjusted his mask slightly as they walked along a less crowded street. His posture was relaxed… more relaxed than it had been in days. For the first time since Ray's death— He smiled. Not fully. Not like before. But enough. And Rose noticed. Her steps slowed just slightly as she looked at him. That small smile… it eased something inside her. A tension she hadn't even realized she was holding. Good… she thought softly. He's coming back. Without thinking, her fingers tightened slightly around his hand. Lux didn't react. He just… held it. Naturally. Beside them, Zack and Emma walked just a step behind. Quiet. Unusually quiet. Then— Rose's eyes shifted. She blinked. Once. Twice. Her brain took a second to process what she was seeing. Then suddenly— "Wh…aatt???" Lux flinched slightly. "What?" Rose pointed. Her eyes wide. "You guys?? Since WHEN??" Lux frowned in confusion. "What are you talking about—?" Then he looked. And froze. Zack and Emma. Holding hands. Not awkwardly. Not accidentally. Comfortably. Naturally. Lux's brain stopped for a moment. "…HUH?!" Zack instantly panicked. He let go— Then grabbed her hand again— Then let go— Then awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "Oh! It's n-not— I mean—it's nothing! You're just imagining things—" Emma didn't move. She simply looked at Rose. Then at Lux. A small, calm smile appeared on her face. "We're together." Silence. Complete silence. Lux and Rose stared at them like they had just discovered a new species. Then both of them spoke at the exact same time— "WHEN AND HOW???" Zack flinched. Emma just sighed softly, like she expected this reaction. "…I know a place," she said calmly. Zack blinked. "A place?" Emma nodded toward the direction of the river. "Quiet. No crowds." She glanced at both Lux and Rose. "I'll explain everything there." Lux crossed his arms. "…Yeah, you better." Rose nodded rapidly. "YES, you better." Zack looked like he wanted to disappear. "…I regret everything." Emma smirked slightly. "Too late." The evening sun dipped low over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. The sounds of the city faded behind them as they moved toward the quieter edges of Meridicus River. Here— Everything slowed. The river flowed gently, reflecting the sky like liquid fire. Soft winds brushed across the grass, carrying the faint scent of water and earth. No crowds. No noise. Just calm. They stepped onto the open grassy bank, the soft ground bending under their feet. "This place…" Rose whispered, looking around. "It's beautiful." Emma nodded slightly. "Told you." They sat down on the grass, the river flowing quietly beside them. For a moment— No one spoke. Lux leaned back on his hands, looking at the sky. Zack sat cross-legged, still avoiding eye contact. Emma sat beside him. Calm. Composed. Rose looked between them. Then leaned forward slightly. "…Alright." Her eyes narrowed playfully. "Start talking." Lux nodded. "Yeah. Every detail." Zack groaned softly. "Do we have to—" "Yes," Emma said calmly. Zack sighed. "…I knew this was coming." Emma glanced at the river for a moment. Then began. "It started the day you two left for Mount Solmora…" Her voice softened slightly as the memory returned. "The city felt different that day. Quiet… but tense." Zack nodded slowly, adding, "Yeah… like something was about to happen." Emma continued, "We went to the park near the river… just to pass time." Rose leaned in slightly, listening closely. Lux didn't interrupt. For once. Emma's lips curved slightly into a small smile. "And that's when this idiot started acting weird." Zack looked up immediately. "HEY—" "You were," she said simply. Lux smirked. "Oh, this is going to be good." Zack sighed. "…I'm surrounded by traitors." Emma ignored him. "He kept looking around like he was waiting for something. Couldn't sit still." Rose chuckled softly. "That does sound like him." Zack muttered, "I was just thinking…" Emma raised an eyebrow. "Dangerous activity." Lux laughed. Zack pointed at him. "You're not helping." Emma continued calmly, "So I dragged him to the river." Zack blinked. "…Dragged is a strong word." "It's accurate," Emma replied. Rose covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. Lux was already enjoying this way too much. Emma glanced briefly at Zack. "…And then things got quiet." Her tone changed slightly. Softer. More personal. "The city noise faded. It was just… us." Zack looked down slightly. Emma continued, "We talked. Not much. Just… enough." A pause. The river flowed quietly beside them. "And then…" Emma said. Zack groaned. "We can skip this part." "No." Emma's lips curved faintly. "We can't." Lux leaned forward immediately. "Oh no, we definitely can't." Rose nodded excitedly. "Absolutely not." Zack buried his face in his hands. "…I hate all of you." Emma continued anyway. "He kissed me." Silence. Lux's jaw dropped. Rose's eyes widened. "…WHAT?!" Zack looked up instantly. "IT WAS NOT LIKE THAT—" Emma tilted her head slightly. "It was exactly like that." Lux leaned back dramatically. "Nah… nah this is crazy…" Rose clutched her head. "YOU TWO???" Zack pointed defensively. "IT JUST HAPPENED—" Emma shrugged slightly. "…And I didn't stop him." That shut him up instantly. Silence. Then— Lux burst out laughing. Rose followed immediately. Zack groaned. "Why is this funny to you people?!" Emma just sat there, calm as ever, watching the river flow. But the faint smile on her face said everything. And for the first time in a long while— Lux laughed. Not forced. Not broken. But real. The evening sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the grass. Four friends sat by the river. Sharing a moment.