Two years passed.
The world changed.
Kingdoms rebuilt.
Wars slowed.
Stories spread.
And her name—
Lira.
Was no longer just whispered in fear…
But spoken in awe.
She stood in front of a mirror.
Longer hair.
Clearer eyes.
Her once blank expression now held something sharper—
Understanding.
"…So this is… neat," she said quietly, adjusting her gauntlet.
She wasn't the same girl anymore.
Still simple.
Still direct.
But no longer unaware.
Stronger.
Smarter.
And undeniably—
Beautiful.
Outside—
The town square buzzed with life.
Today was important.
A reunion.
Shun leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, scanning the crowd.
Her presence alone drew attention.
"…She's late," she muttered.
Beside her—
Prince Eldarin.
Now clad in high-rank adventurer gear.
Confident.
Refined.
"…A lady of such status arrives when she pleases," he said proudly.
"…You're just making excuses," Shun replied.
"…I am supporting her image."
"…You're annoying."
"…I've grown."
"…Barely."
They bickered quietly.
But then—
The crowd parted.
Lira walked in.
Silence followed her.
Not fear.
Not panic.
Respect.
She stopped in front of them.
"…Hi," she said.
Shun smirked.
"…Took you long enough."
Eldarin bowed slightly.
"…You've changed."
Lira nodded.
"…Learned things."
Shun raised an eyebrow.
"…Like?"
Lira thought for a moment.
"…Thinking before punching."
Silence.
Then—
"…That's terrifying," Shun said.
Eldarin nodded seriously.
"…The world may not survive this evolution."
Lira blinked.
"…Okay."
They stood there for a moment.
Together again.
But something felt… incomplete.
Shun looked away slightly.
"…He's not coming," she said quietly.
Eldarin's expression dimmed.
"…Yeah…"
Silence fell between them.
Lira didn't speak immediately.
She looked around the square.
At the crowd.
At the sky.
Then—
"…I know," she said softly.
Kael.
Gone.
Two years ago.
After the battle.
No grand final words.
No dramatic goodbye.
Just… gone.
Lira's hand tightened slightly.
"…He said," she began,
"…to keep going."
Shun looked at her.
"…Of course he did," she muttered.
Eldarin exhaled slowly.
"…That sounds like him."
Lira nodded.
"…So I did."
A small pause.
"…We did," she corrected.
Shun smirked faintly.
"…Yeah."
Eldarin placed a hand over his chest.
"…In his honor."
Lira looked at them.
Still here.
Still walking with her.
Just like before.
"…Let's eat," she said suddenly.
Shun blinked.
"…That's your emotional response?"
Lira nodded.
"…He liked food."
Silence.
Then—
Shun laughed.
"…Yeah…"
"…He did."
Eldarin smiled faintly.
"…Then we shall feast."
They began walking together.
The town alive around them.
The past behind them.
And yet—
Not gone.
Because even if Kael wasn't there—
He was still part of every step they took.
And for Lira—
That was enough…
For now.
To Be Continued…