Valtros trembled, wings of shadow fraying, his strength unraveling like old thread.
"How… did you do this?" he hissed, his voice cracked and hollow. "You're human. You can't…"
Aresando stepped forward, wind whipping through hair soaked with blood and magic. His eyes were steady, clear. Human, yes — but filled with the kind of resolve only those who have suffered yet still chosen to stand could hold.
"I am human, Valtros. And because of that… I choose not to bow."
He closed his eyes. Runes shimmered around him. Light began to spiral from the ground, wrapping around his body in golden arcs. The words came from his lips like ancient echoes, whispered to the stars themselves.
"For what I've lost… for what I've sworn… for those who believed in me."
The light erupted.
And with it — the sword appeared.
It did not fall from the heavens. It did not rise from the earth.
It was called.
A blade of burning crystal, glowing with golden veins, alive with shifting runes. Its hilt trembled with raw magic, but Aresando took it in his hand without hesitation. Without fear.
Jade, not far behind, held her breath. His aura had changed. He hadn't become a god. Nor a hero.
He was simply himself. But with all his courage condensed into a single act.
"That sword…" Valtros staggered, eyes wide. "What… is it?"
Aresando met his gaze. "It doesn't need a name. Only a purpose."
Then he moved.
One step. A leap.
And the blade carved a flawless arc through the air.
It did not strike with hatred. Nor vengeance.
The light burst into Valtros's chest — warm, searing, pure. Shadows howled as they were torn free, the curse ripped from within like smoke in a storm. The dark sigil shattered into glowing dust, then vanished.
Valtros fell to his knees. No longer a monster. No longer bound. Just a broken man, gasping for breath.
Aresando lowered the blade. Walked forward.
"Why… didn't you finish it?" Valtros whispered, broken and lost.
Aresando crouched beside him. "Because you're not just what you've done. You're also what you can become."
Then he turned.
Jade stood there. Her eyes glistened, her body trembling.
"Res…" she whispered. "That magic… that sword…"
He stepped closer, gently placing his hand on her cheek.
"There's nothing divine in me. Just someone who refuses to stop fighting."
She lowered her gaze. "And if one day… that light burns you?"
"Then you'll keep me grounded," he said, holding her close.
The sky broke open. The clouds dissolved. And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, the sun smiled down upon Solarnis.
The Academy gates loomed behind them, wide open like the mouth of a sighing beast. And sigh it did — a collective one from hundreds of hearts left behind.
"HE'S LEAVING!"
"NOOO!"
"My beautiful Aresandooo!"
"Please take me with you!! I can be useful! I knit!"
"CURSE YOU, WOLF GIRL!!"
The cobbled path out of the Academy had never seen so many teary-eyed maidens collapse upon it. Some held embroidered scarves, others threw magical confessions into the wind hoping one would reach his ears and make him turn back like some tragic prince.
Aresando, naturally, walked straight ahead.
Tall, calm, cloak fluttering in the breeze, his presence divine — at least according to one girl who fainted while sketching his silhouette.
Jade, beside him, kept a smug grin the entire time. Tail wagging slightly.
"Wow," she muttered under her breath, "I didn't know you were the main character of a tragic romance novel."
He sighed. "I'm just walking."
"Walking with purpose," she teased. "That's what breaks hearts these days."
A voice from the crowd:
"I WOULD HAVE BARED MY SOUL FOR YOU, ARE-SAAAAN!!"
Another:
"HE SMILED! I SAW IT! I'M PREGNANT!"
Jade rolled her eyes. "These girls need therapy."
"They need to calm down," Aresando said, adjusting his collar. "I'm not that special."
"Oh please," Jade snorted. "You summoned a radiant blade from a magic circle of light while making an evil overlord cry. You're practically a walking ballad now."
As the final gate of the Academy shut behind them with a magical clang, the roaring crowd grew faint — replaced by birdsong, wind, and the subtle sound of freedom.
They had left behind glory. Applause. Expectations.
And stepped into the unpredictable world of their own making.
---
A day and a half later, through sunlit valleys and the occasional highly suspicious traveling merchant, the duo arrived at the outskirts of Valkirya's Guild — a tall, angular structure carved partly into a cliffside, part tavern, part fortress, and entirely chaotic.
Just before they opened the door, Aresando paused. "Think she'll be surprised?"
"Valkirya?" Jade smirked. "She might just punch you out of joy."
He raised a brow.
"She's not the subtle type."
Before he could answer, the doors exploded open with a bang that sent a pair of drunk dwarves flying into a pile of chairs.
"ARESANDOOOOO!!!"
There she was.
Tall, arms like steel, and a grin that could break hearts or noses. Possibly both. Valkirya strode forward like a lioness spotting her prey and scooped Aresando into a full-body bear hug.
"YOU'RE BACK, YOU CRAZY BEAUTIFUL IDIOT!!"
"—ack—can't—breathe—" Aresando wheezed.
She dropped him mid-spin.
"Hah! You look different. Taller. Stronger. Smell less like books. I approve!"
"Nice to see you too," he coughed.
She then turned to Jade, who had already dropped her bag and was stretching like a cat.
"You kept him alive, huh?" Valkirya grinned.
Jade tilted her head. "Barely. He's squishy on the inside."
"Figured. Alright, both of you — drinks are on me!"
The Guild hall erupted in cheers as Valkirya led them to the main table. A wild feast followed — roasted wyvern leg, glowing berry wine, pickled mana roots, and something that hissed when poked (they left that one alone).
Stories were exchanged. Laughter flowed like enchanted mead.
At one point, Valkirya leaned over to Aresando, her gaze softening.
"I heard what you did," she said. "Purifying a shadowlord with nothing but your will and a sword born of light? Damn impressive."
"I didn't want to destroy him," he murmured. "He was just… lost."
She smirked. "You're too kind for this world."
"I think I'm just tired."
Valkirya raised her glass. "To good men who get tired — and the wolf girls who keep them going."
Jade raised hers with a grin. "To being underestimated and stealing everyone's food while they talk."
They all laughed, and for a moment, the world felt simple.
After the feast, as the fire in the hearth crackled low and the rest of the Guild snored in drunken harmony, Aresando and Jade stepped out onto the balcony that overlooked the forest.
Moonlight bathed everything in silver.
"I missed this place," he whispered.
"I didn't," Jade said. "Too many loud people. But… it's nice when you're here."
They stood in silence.
Jade leaned her head on his shoulder, her ears twitching softly. "So… what now?"
He stared up at the stars. "We rest. We train. Then maybe… a dungeon or two. Quiet work. A simple life."
"No armies? No curses? No ancient evils?"
"Nope. Just monsters, treasure, maybe a couple of fire traps."
"Hmm. Sounds kind of romantic."
He glanced at her. "Getting set on fire?"
She smirked. "No. The quiet part. The part where it's just you and me."
He looked away, hiding the faintest smile.
"I could get used to that," he said.
Behind them, Valkirya was yelling in her sleep about punching a thunder serpent, and someone downstairs was trying to juggle fireballs.
But up there, under the stars, Aresando and Jade stood in peace.
No titles. No duties.
Just two adventurers, quietly beginning their real story.