After the victorious battle against the Abyssals' siege, the Celestial Tribunal aided the townsfolk in recovering from the aftermath. The air still carried traces of smoke and blood, a stark reminder of the chaos that had unfolded. Fortunately, the battle had not breached the town's walls—a blessing amid the destruction visible just beyond them.
Princess Marie tended to the injured, her healing magic easing their suffering, while Luna assisted the knights in transporting supplies for the townspeople. The once panicked streets were now filled with murmurs of relief, though a lingering tension still hung over the air. As for me, despite Luna's earlier healing spell, a numbing pain still lingered in my body. The Tribunal's medical unit took over, treating my wounds with practiced efficiency.
Meanwhile, a messenger from the Celestial Tribunal had already dispatched a report to Aetherfall Academy, detailing the events that had transpired. Until further notice, our task was to remain in town and ensure Princess Marie's safety as the people rebuilt their lives. There was no telling if this was truly the end or if another threat loomed just beyond the horizon.
"Here," Luna's voice broke through my thoughts as she handed me a cup of coffee before settling beside me, closing her eyes in quiet meditation.
"Thanks," I murmured, taking a sip. The bitterness lingered on my tongue—far from my preferred taste, but I welcomed the warmth. The heat seeped through my fingers, grounding me in the present moment.
She cracked an eye open and glanced at me. "What did you see?"
I raised a brow at her question.
"You suddenly ran off to stop the cannon. Do you have some kind of ability?" she pressed.
An Awakener's abilities weren't usually visible to others unless someone possessed a skill that allowed them to forcibly analyse them.
"I have a limited clairvoyance skill," I admitted, taking another sip of the coffee. "That's why I acted the way I did."
Luna's expression softened, and a knowing smile crossed her lips. "That's a useful ability. No wonder you survived our duel during the first mock battle." She leaned back against the grass, exhaling in relief. "Thanks to that, we managed to prevent a disaster."
A breeze rustled through the field, carrying with it the distant sound of laughter. For the first time since the battle, the town felt alive again. Children chased each other through the streets, their carefree giggles cutting through the lingering tension like a balm.
Luna shifted slightly, her breathing growing softer. As her breathing steadied, it became clear she was drifting into sleep. I shrugged off my sweater and gently draped it over her, watching as her body relaxed beneath its warmth.
I turned my gaze back toward the town. Though the scars of battle remained, the resilience of the people was undeniable. The sight of families reuniting, of merchants cautiously reopening their stalls, filled me with a sense of quiet relief. Hope, it seemed, had not been extinguished. But deep down, a nagging feeling remained—was this truly the end, or merely the calm before another storm?
Letting Luna rest in the grassy field, I rose to my feet and began patrolling the town. As I walked through the streets, I observed the townspeople slowly returning to their routines—merchants dusting off their wares, smiths stoking their forges, and children laughing once more. The town was healing, and that alone was reassuring.
Eventually, I decided to visit the dwarf blacksmith. His shop had been on my mind since our last encounter, and curiosity pulled me toward his forge.
As I arrived at the doorstep, the distinct scent of coal and hot metal filled the air. The rhythmic clanging of steel echoed within, a sign that the blacksmith was already hard at work. When I stepped inside, I found him hunched over the anvil, hammering away with the same unwavering focus as before.
"You don't seem too bothered by the siege," I remarked, taking a seat at a sturdy wooden table near the forge.
The dwarf let out a gruff chuckle, not breaking his rhythm. "Of course not. My priority is my craft, and my clients expect their orders on time. I take pride in that." He grunted as he slammed the hammer down again, sending sparks flying. "Besides, I had faith in you and the Celestial Tribunal to handle the trouble before it reached the town."
I watched him work for a moment, admiring his dedication before speaking again. "I never got your name last time. Mind telling me?"
The dwarf stroked his thick beard in thought before answering. "Hmm… I suppose it won't hurt. The name's Thorfinn. I've been working in this craft for the last sixty-three years."
I nodded, impressed. "That's quite old in human terms."
Thorfinn smirked, setting down his hammer for a brief moment. "Believe me, lad, there are creatures in this world that have lived for centuries—far longer than me. In comparison, sixty-three years is nothing." He let out a hearty chuckle before returning to his work, the steady rhythm of metal meeting metal filling the shop once more.
I glanced around the room, scanning the numerous weapons and pieces of armor meticulously crafted and displayed. Each bore the mark of a master craftsman. It was clear that, no matter the chaos of the world outside, Thorfinn's dedication to his craft remained unshaken.
Curious, I leaned forward. "How did you get into blacksmithing?"
Thorfinn snorted, wiping sweat from his brow. "Born into it, like most dwarves. My father was a smith, and his father before him. It's in our blood. But," he paused, eyes glinting with nostalgia, "I took a liking to it more than most. There's something about the sound of metal shaping under my hands that makes the world feel right."
I traced a finger along the hilt of a blade resting on a nearby rack. "So, in all those years, have you ever made a weapon for yourself?"
The dwarf barked a laugh. "Aye, many times. But in the end, I always end up selling them. There's always someone who needs a good blade more than I do."
I chuckled. "That's selfless of you."
Thorfinn shrugged. "Not really. A weapon's meant to be used, not gather dust. And besides, my joy is in the forging, not the wielding."
I nodded in understanding. Watching him work, I realized that, much like a warrior finds meaning in battle, a blacksmith finds purpose in creation. In a world constantly teetering on the brink of conflict, people like Thorfinn ensured that the tools of survival were always at the ready.
"Come back in a two days," Thorfinn added, his voice thoughtful. "I might have something you'll like along with your previous requests."
Curious, I nodded. "I'll hold you to that."
With that, I left the forge, stepping back into the streets that were slowly but surely returning to life.
After spending some time discussing weapons and craftsmanship, I bid Thorfinn farewell and made my way back to the field where I had left Luna sleeping. As I approached, I noticed Princess Marie sitting beside her, letting Luna rest in her lap as a pillow. The princess had her eyes closed, seemingly lost in meditation.
A gentle breeze passed through, rustling the grass and causing her silver white hair to shimmer under the afternoon sun. As if sensing my presence, she slowly opened her eyes, first glancing at Luna, then turning her gaze toward me.
"Oh… you're here," she said with a soft smile.
I nodded and stepped closer. "I just came from the blacksmith's shop. It seems your ring will be finished in two days." I leaned against a nearby tree, settling into a comfortable stance.
Princess Marie's smile grew. "That's wonderful news."
I gave her an approving nod. "You did well out there," I remarked, acknowledging her efforts in helping the town recover despite being advised to stay put.
"It is my duty as a princess, after all," she said, gently caressing Luna's light brown hair as she continued to sleep. "I couldn't just sit idly by while people were suffering."
Our conversation flowed naturally from there. We talked about the siege, our experiences, and even shared bits of our personal histories. There was something comforting about the moment—a temporary reprieve from the battles ahead.
Though I was tempted to ask her if she was related to Mr. Ishtar, I held my tongue. It wasn't the right time.
As we spoke, Luna stirred. She let out a small yawn, rubbing her eyes before sitting up to face us. Her gaze flickered between Princess Marie and me, still groggy from sleep, before letting out a tired sigh.
"What did I miss?" she mumbled, stretching her arms.
I chuckled. "Nothing much."
She tilted her head slightly in confusion before directing a sudden question at the princess. "Princess Marie, about the escort mission… why would you travel so far?"
Princess Marie hesitated, her hands clasping together as she mulled over her words. "It is a dire situation…" she began before taking a breath. "Let's just say that my people—my king—need me to fulfill this duty for the betterment of the Laguna Kingdom."
The weight of her words settled between us. In that moment, I saw her for what she truly was—a selfless princess willing to risk everything for her people.
Luna, realizing the sensitivity of her question, quickly apologized. But Princess Marie only smiled and, in a playful gesture, wrapped Luna in a gentle hug, accepting the apology.
Then, she turned to us with a solemn expression. "Both of you… may I ask something of you?"
Luna and I exchanged glances before nodding.
"When the time comes that I stand on the edge of death… please find me as my guiding souls."
Her words lingered, heavy with meaning. A promise… or a warning?
She then gently grab each of our hands and began a chant.
"O great mother, weaver of life,O great father, forge of might,Through the sacred bond of royal blood,Let our spirits intertwine as one.By the oath of the ancient throne,By the stars that guide the lost,Grant them the strength to walk my path,And the light to find me when darkness calls.Le Sikashi Go Na Mi."
A bright blue flame then encrypted itself in our hands as a lotus shape symbol planted itself.
"That is a promise" Luna said as she hug Princess Marie tightly just then a knight came instructing Princess Marie to head back to the faction building for after two days would be her departure.
We accompanied her back to the faction's building but her words lingered in my mind, carrying a weight that was impossible to ignore.
A promise. A plea. A warning.
At face value, her request seemed strange—why would she ask us to find her at the brink of death? It was almost as if she already knew what fate awaited her. The way she spoke, the way her fingers tightened slightly around our hands, told me that this wasn't a simple act of sentimentality. It was something deeper.
Had she foreseen her demise? Or was she merely preparing for the worst?
I had read and hear about countless warriors make oaths before a battle, promising to return, to fight again, to live. But this… this was different.
This was a princess entrusting her very life to us.
Luna and I had already nodded, sealing the unspoken vow between us. But even as I committed to it, a part of me wondered—would I be strong enough to keep such a promise when the time came?
Would I be able to reach her before death did?
Or would I arrive too late, left to chase the echoes of her final words?
As we arrived at the building, the messenger sent by the faction returned with an update for both Luna and me. We were instructed to return to the academy by tomorrow evening to meet with the commander of the Aetherfall Kingdom.
The news came unexpectedly fast, given the events unfolding and those yet to come in the following days. I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment—my blank runestone remained uncontracted, and our early departure meant the escort would be handed over to the Celestial Tribunal. Luna, too, struggled to hide her frustration, her unease mirroring my own.
Princess Marie's safety remained our concern, but we had no choice but to entrust her to the most reputable faction currently on our side. Pushing aside our emotions, we headed to our dorm, leaving instructions for Princess Marie to stay in the overseer's dorm room. As for me, I would once again be sharing a room with Luna.
Exhausted from everything that had transpired, Luna wasted no time claiming the entire bed, while I settled on the couch, absentmindedly rolling my blank runestone between my fingers.
Perhaps I should contract a spirit before I depart.
I also recalled that the mask I ordered was still two days away from arriving.