The road stretched wide beneath the soft afternoon sun, dust rising with every step of their boots. Michi walked at the head of the group, his eyes sharp but his mind wandering deeper than the horizon. The battle with Drango, the deaths of Shiro and Rishdania, and the shadow of Voidheart lingering somewhere—all of it pressed on his chest. But above all, one thought weighed heavier.
"I need answers," Michi finally said, his voice carrying through the steady rhythm of their footsteps. "I want to meet the one who helped me twice in my darkest moments. Whoever they are… I can't walk forward without knowing."
The others looked at him quietly, each absorbing the weight in his tone.
Lior nodded, pushing his hands into his pockets. "We've seen too many twists already. If there's someone out there who knows more, then you're right—we need them."
Kael smirked faintly, brushing back his hair. "You mean the mysterious savior who shows up at the last second? I've been curious too. Whoever they are, they've got guts."
Junia folded her arms across her chest, her eyes calm. "Answers give us direction… but they can also hurt. Are you ready for that, Michi?"
"I've been ready since the moment I picked up this sword," Michi replied, his voice firm.
Tieu gave a small smile, tilting her head. "It's strange, isn't it? We keep moving, but it feels like every step makes the path heavier."
Tiana walked beside her, her snakes shifting lazily around her shoulders. "That's life. Heavy or light, the path is still ours. And we'll walk it together."
The group fell silent for a moment, the weight of their journey hanging in the air.
Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the quiet. A couple appeared down the road—a woman with long auburn hair tied in a neat braid, wearing travel-worn boots and a patched satchel, and a man with dark hair and a playful grin, balancing a walking stick across his shoulders.
"Excuse us!" the woman called out cheerfully. "Heading to Mélovetsia, are you?"
"Yes," Michi answered cautiously.
The man bowed with a flourish, his grin widening. "Perfect! Then fate must be smiling. My name's Eric, and this is Julia. We're travelers—well, more like wanderers, really. Always on the road."
Julia laughed softly. "And this time, Prince Makoa himself invited us to Mélovetsia. We write books about our journeys, you see. Apparently, he enjoyed the last one enough to call us back."
Junia blinked. "You… write books? About traveling?"
"Yes," Julia said warmly. "People love to hear stories of faraway places. But for us… it's more than that. It's a way to keep every step alive forever."
Eric twirled his walking stick and winked. "And if we could catch a ride with you brave-looking folk, that'd be splendid. Roads are safer in company."
Michi gave a small nod after a moment's thought. "Fine. Come along. Just keep pace."
As the group continued, conversations began to bloom like sparks from firewood.
Junia and Tieu walked with Julia, curiosity filling their voices. "What's it like," Junia asked, "to always be on the road? To never settle anywhere?"
Julia smiled, her eyes distant. "It's freedom. Every place is a home for a night, and every sunrise is a promise of something new. But it's also loneliness sometimes. That's why we share it—through stories."
Tieu tilted her head, intrigued. "I think… I'd like to read one of your books someday."
"You will," Julia promised. "And maybe one day, I'll write about you."
Meanwhile, Tiana tugged gently at Julia's sleeve, her gaze fixed on the woman's outfit. "Where did you get that shirt and those pants? They're so different from anything here."
Julia chuckled. "Ah, this? A tailor in Gresval made them. Said it was experimental—practical for long walks, but stylish too."
Tiana's snakes curled curiously around the fabric. "Stylish, yes… but unique. I like it."
Julia laughed, covering her mouth. "Then maybe I'll get you a pair next time. Fashion should be fun, not stiff."
On the other side, Eric walked with Michi, Lior, and Kael, his easy charm pulling them into conversation.
"You three look like you've carried blades for a long time," Eric said. "Adventurers? Mercenaries? Heroes in disguise?"
Kael smirked. "Depends on the day."
Lior shrugged. "Depends on the story people tell."
Michi's voice was quieter. "Depends on the truth… though that's harder to find."
Eric studied him curiously. "You speak like a man who's seen too much already."
"I have," Michi admitted.
Eric chuckled softly. "Then maybe you're the kind of person who belongs in a book."
Hours later, as the sun dipped into evening, tall stone markers appeared along the road, etched with ancient symbols. Beyond them stretched the borders of Mélovetsia. Guard towers loomed in the distance, their banners fluttering with the crest of the kingdom.
At the gate stood a familiar figure, waiting with eager anticipation—Makoa, the royal prince himself.
"There they are!" Julia exclaimed, waving.
Makoa's expression brightened as he spotted Julia and Eric, his face glowing with genuine warmth. "Julia! Eric! At last, you've come!"
The couple hurried forward, exchanging greetings with the prince. But then Makoa's gaze shifted, landing on Michi.
For a moment, time seemed to pause.
Makoa's eyes widened, shock spreading across his face. His lips parted, as though he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
And Michi, meeting his gaze for the first time, felt the same jolt in his chest.
The air grew tense, heavy with unspoken recognition neither of them understood.
Makoa stepped forward, his voice trembling between disbelief and joy. "It's you…?"
Michi's brows furrowed, his hand unconsciously brushing his sword hilt. "…Do I know you?"
The question hung in the air, unanswered, as the gates of Mélovetsia loomed wide behind them.