Night had settled in Nara. The quiet gentle ocean breeze brushed against Leona’s face as she was just outside the cave’s entrance basking in the faint moonlight.

  ‘Leona.’

  Avalon’s voice echoed in her mind. The silver staff that felt light in her hands felt surreal whenever it spoke to her. Leona kept looking at the ocean waves reflecting the moonlight amidst the darkness as she replied.

  “Yes?”

  ‘What has been bothering you?’

  The tactician chuckled sourly.

  “Could you tell?”

  ‘You are my wielder after all.’

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you worry.” With a brief glance at the staff in her grasp, she continued. “This battle will be the one that’ll dictate the course of history. I know I mustn't fail. I should be the Queen that will bring peace and prosperity to Arcadia but…” Her grip tightened slightly before softening. “What I felt earlier today… it… it scared me. The rush, the euphoria, the pleasure…”

  Leona could almost taste the power coursing through her veins. The mana in her body felt less like a tool and more like a burden.

  ‘Do not fear it.’ Avalon’s voice was calm and composed. It felt strangely nurturing as she spoke with conviction. ‘I promised you I’d help you control it and I will fulfil that promise until the end of our journey.’

  Leona closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

  “Avalon…” She spoke softly. “I don’t know what I would do without you.” Remembering the voice that snapped her out of her mana trance made Leona unconsciously smile. “So much for avoiding her own footsteps.”

  ‘You already have.’

  “Mmm… my grandmother, Krieg and even Kaeli.” Those peaceful memories brought a smile to her face. “I wonder if I was able to show it to her. This… new future.”

  She gazed again to the horizon. The moonlight reflected against the crashing waves as the world continued to move on. A quiet calm before the storm.

  Inside the cavern home, Krieg sat on the couch right beside Kaeli as they shared the crackling fireplace. The older high elf sister was covered with dirt and had a few spots of dried mud faintly smeared on the side of her face and forehead.

  “Sorry for earlier.” Kaeli spoke softly as she kept her gaze on the swaying flames. “I’ve made things awkward between you and Phoebe.”

  “Huh? No need to apologize. I was the one who made it weird in the first place.” He hesitated. Normally he wouldn’t have a problem talking to the people of the opposite gender, but this time it felt different. “So, sorry about that.”

  He bowed whilst closing his eyes. Kaeli promptly turned to him and urged him to lift his head.

  “Please, you don’t need to bow.” She spoke with a faint bittersweet smile on her face. “I can’t believe you are the same knight that is always protecting Leona.”

  “Huh?” He slowly glanced up. “What do you mean?”

  “No it’s just… it’s hard to think that we used to be enemies.” She averted her gaze while shifting her black hair to the side. “It… it wouldn’t have taken much to cross blades back on that ship and yet-”

  “We never did because of her.” He frowned his brows slightly as he glanced at her. “But… Kaeli, if I may.”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m… I’m sorry. I’ve treated you as an enemy even after you’ve shown no intention to harm her. And…” His hands clenched into tight fists. “You even helped to treat her when nobody else could.”

  “You give me too much credit.”

  “It’s true. If you hadn’t saved her I… I don’t know what I would have done.” His clenched fists slowly opened as he looked at his palms. Calloused and weathered from wielding a sword. “No amount of strength can repay this debt but- “He clenched his hands firmly again and looked at her with determination in his eyes. “If you are ever in trouble, you can rely on me. In my honor as a knight, I promise, no harm will befall you as long as you’re close to me.”

  There was a brief pause where the only sounds were the crackling flames of the fireplace. A gentle giggle came from Kaeli as she lifted her hand to cover her mouth as she suppressed the urge to chuckle.

  “Krieg, as much as I’ve liked hearing you say those words, your allegiance ultimately lies with her. And besides…” She placed both of her hands down and intertwined them. “I believe she’ll be able to bring Arcadia into a brighter future. One that any person, no matter their race, gender, or beliefs, will be able to live in peace.” She looked at him with a smile. “But for that, you must be by her side to keep her safe and on the right path.”

  Her words rang true as the knight looked at her and nodded firmly.

  “That was always my plan.”

  “Good.” Kaeli looked him in the eyes and nodded as well. She hesitated for a moment as her fingers pressed against each other as if she was trying to muster up some sort of courage as she continued. “But, if I can make one selfish request. Once everything is over and Arcadia is finally back up on its feet. I’d like to see everything there is to see in that kingdom. Can I lend your aid then?”

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  He smiled confidently as he bowed his head slightly.

  “It would be my pleasure.”

  They continued to quietly continue in each other’s company by the fireplace without exchanging words. Both Setsuna and Phoebe were witnessing the whole conversation from the kitchen’s entrance.

  “I can’t believe it.” The high elf uttered in disbelief. Although she couldn’t help but grin at them. “Was that a-”

  “Don’t say it. I can’t believe it myself.”

  Setsuna said with a half-open mouth as she tried to make sense of what just occurred.

  “Believe what?”

  A male voice came from behind both women which made them jump in surprise. Upon turning around, they both saw Robert holding a glass of wine in one hand and a platter of cheese on the other. Setsuna let out a quiet sigh as she shook her head slightly.

  “Dad, don’t sneak up on us like that.”

  “What? Why are you two acting all sneaky all of the sudden?” He peeked out of the kitchen and noticed both Krieg and Kaeli sitting by the fireplace. “Ah, those two.”

  “Did you know?” The shrine maiden asked curiously. “I… wasn’t aware of it.”

  “It happens.”

  He shrugged as he walked past them into the main room. Setsuna followed him with her eyes as she asked with furrowing brows.

  “Huh? Where are you going?”

  “To eat while sitting on my favorite armchair, what else?” Robert said as he continued to walk unimpeded beside the knight and the other high elf. He sat down and both of them looked briefly at him as he offered the platter forward. “Want some cheese?”

  Setsuna shook her head and covered her face with her palm.

  “Things have changed a lot lately…” Phoebe spoke bittersweetly as she gazed at them sharing the snack. “Master, my sister, Leona, even Krieg. Of course, you as well, young lady.”

  “Hah, I wish.” Setsuna smirked bitterly. “I couldn’t do anything meaningful to anyone here.”

  “You know as well as me that isn’t true. I heard you were responsible for Krieg’s training. That by itself is nothing to scoff at.” She glanced at the shrine maiden with a soft smile. “He’s a knight with already proven might.”

  “Well…”

  As she ruminated on those words, the double doors across the room opened and Leona stepped inside. The tactician seemed sharper than usual, but her gaze softened once she locked eyes with Krieg.

  She slowly walked over to them and sat beside the knight on the couch.

  “I see you’ve found your answer, Krieg.” Leona spoke softly as if she was proud of him. A moment later she leaned forward and let her eyes meet with Kaeli’s as she spoke. “I hope to see you in Arcadia when everything settles. The invitation will still be open for you.”

  Kaeli placed her palm atop of her breast and bowed.

  “Thank you for your kind offer, Leona.” As she lifted her head, she glanced briefly at Krieg and then back to her. “I already have a mind to go there in the future.”

  With a quiet smile, Leona nodded satisfied as she continued.

  “We’ll make sure to send an official invitation once we settle things there.” She then glanced at Robert. “You as well, I’d like to invite both Yuna and Setsuna to come visit.”

  The sage raised his hand and shook his head.

  “I’m simply their father, you’d have to ask them directly if you want a concrete answer.”

  “I am more than willing to visit Arcadia.” Setsuna spoke as she approached them. “I never really been to another city other than Astera and that was a few years ago.”

  Robert glanced at her as he finished his wine and said.

  “Your shrine maiden duties still take priority, remember that.”

  “I know…” Setsuna rolled her eyes a bit as she leaned her weight on the couch rest behind Leona. “But I’ve seen improvement. They even started to make a terrace farm outside the city, it won’t take long until they are fully independent.”

  “That’ll take at least ten years give or take.” Robert spoke as he settled the empty plate and glass on the side table. “Crops and people don’t usually progress as fast as technology.”

  The shrine maiden let out a quiet sigh before smiling at the end.

  “By then I’m sure Yuna will be experienced enough to take it from there.”

  “What about me?”

  The younger shrine maiden sister came from the kitchen while drying her hands on the sides of her apron.

  “Oh, I was just telling them how you will inherit my duties while I travel to Arcadia.”

  “Huh?! That’s not fair!” She grabbed her sister’s arm and started to shake her. “You don’t get to travel without me!”

  “Hey! Hey!” Setsuna was trying to speak while being rocked side by side by her sister. “Leona invited me!”

  “Hah?” Yuna instantly let go of her, which made her stumble sideways before going over to Leona and locking eyes with her. “Did you really invite her?”

  The tactician raised her hand while leaving the staff leaning against her own shoulder.

  “Y-yes, but I invited you as well.”

  “Leona…!”

  Yuna began to tear up as she hugged her. The group laughed and continued on with their conversations for a few more hours before it was time to sleep.

  Both Leona and Krieg were given the privilege of one mattress for each placed on the carpet with proper pillows for resting. As they laid down, the tactician asked.

  “Krieg. Are you nervous?”

  There was a brief pause before he answered firmly.

  “No. Are you, my liege?”

  “If I said no, I’d be lying.” She looked towards the ceiling of the dark room. Her brows slowly furrowed with a sense of unease taking a hold of her. “But… at the same time, I feel like there is nothing else for me to improve upon.”

  “I am of the same mind.” He raised his right hand forward and clenched it into a tight fist. “There is only one way forward for us and I’ll make sure we’ll get us there.”

  “Haha, your confidence is reassuring, Krieg.” She glanced at him for a moment before returning her gaze to the ceiling. “Thank you, for being with me during this whole ordeal.”

  “Your words are wasted on me, my Princess.”

  They rested until the next morning through a quiet and uneventful night. Leona was the first to wake up with Avalon gently humming with mana. She slowly blinked while looking around.

  ‘No one is up yet huh?’

  She grabbed her silver staff and stood up. Her body felt refreshed from the good night’s sleep and decent bed—though it could hardly hold a candle to the bed she had when sleeping at her great grandmother’s cabin.

  The dawn light gently lit the interior of the cavern home through the vents in the walls. Despite not being her home, it still felt cozy enough for her to be at ease.

  After washing her face and teeth, she went outside. The cool breeze filled her lungs as she took a slow, deep breath.

  A new day. The beginning of the end of her arduous journey. A journey to become what she must in order to protect the peace her parents fought for. She looked at Avalon and smiled confidently.

  “I’ll change our fate.”