Aria blinked between them, still trying to process. "Wait, wait, wait—so this beautiful, terrifying goddess-looking person is the same little Lyra who once fell asleep on top of my bag?"

Lyra chuckled softly, her voice warm and melodic. "The same one. Though I promise not to steal your bag again."

Aria placed a hand on her heart. "Oh, she remembers. I'm touched—and mildly intimidated."

Caria exhaled, shaking her head but smiling faintly. "It seems the world truly is shifting again. I should've known you'd bring another miracle to life, Rhys."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, though I think this one brought herself back."

Sophia crossed her arms, studying Lyra with open curiosity. "So, what's next for you two? Planning to rest or dive straight into trouble again?"

Rhys gave a small, knowing smirk. "You already know the answer."

Puddle raised her tiny hand dramatically. "Adventure!"

Aria groaned. "Ugh, of course. You people never take a break."

Lyra's laughter joined theirs, soft and clear, carrying easily over the sound of the waves. For the first time in centuries, she stood beneath the open sky not as a sealed relic, but as herself — free, radiant, and walking beside those she had chosen.

The group began walking along the harbor path, the golden morning light glinting off the waves. Fishermen were casting their nets again, merchants calling out prices for fresh coralfruit and sea glass charms. The chaos of rebuilding had already started — mages weaving barrier wards over the seawalls, guards hauling away debris — but there was a warmth in the air that hadn't been there before. Hope, faint but alive.

Aria stretched her arms behind her head. "You know, for once, I wouldn't mind staying here a few days. Good food, good ale, no monsters trying to eat us."

Sophia smirked. "You just want an excuse to challenge the tavern's drinking champion again."

"That too!" Aria said proudly.

Caria turned to Rhys and Lyra as they walked. "You're not really staying, are you?"

Rhys hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "We can't. There's still too much we don't know — about the Abyssal Rift, about the things hunting the seals… and about what's coming next."

Lyra nodded quietly, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "The balance has shifted. When my seal broke, I felt other presences stirring — old powers that were asleep are beginning to move again."

Sophia frowned. "You mean like the other Ancients?"

"Some… yes," Lyra replied softly. "But not all are like me. Some are still lost in rage and darkness."

Rhys looked down at her, his tone firm but calm. "Then we'll face them, one by one."

Aria groaned. "There it is. The heroic speech. We're definitely leaving soon, aren't we?"

Puddle giggled, floating in lazy circles around her. "You could come with us, you know. You'd make good bait— I mean, backup!"

"Excuse me?!" Aria sputtered.

Even Caria couldn't help a small laugh. "Seems your tamed one is learning from you, Rhys."

He grinned. "Unfortunately, yes."

Lyra's expression softened as she watched them banter. "It feels right," she said quietly. "To be moving again. Together."

Sophia nodded. "Then we'll see you off properly. The city owes you that much."

"Not just the city," Caria added, her voice steady. "You gave them back their dawn."

Rhys scratched his head awkwardly. "I'll take that as thanks."

Aria clapped him on the back, nearly making him stumble. "Then you'd better not die before the next time we meet, hero."

"Same to you," he said, smirking.

As the sun rose higher, the group reached the far end of the harbor where the ocean stretched out endlessly — a mirror of blue and gold. Their ship, repaired and ready, swayed gently with the tide.

Puddle floated ahead, her form shimmering excitedly. "Where to next, Master?"

Rhys looked at Lyra, then at the horizon beyond. "Wherever the next storm's brewing."

Lyra's eyes glowed faintly, silver light catching in her hair as the wind tugged at it. "Then let's meet it head-on."

The sea breeze grew stronger as they neared the pier, carrying with it the faint sound of bells from the upper terraces — Bluewave's way of bidding farewell to those setting sail. The harbor workers paused to wave, children perched on crates cheering as they recognized the heroes who had saved their city.

Rhys couldn't help but smile at the sight. For once, the world didn't feel heavy — just vast.

Aria and the others stopped at the edge of the dock, their boots creaking against the planks. Caria stepped forward, offering Rhys a small, ornate charm — a shard of crystallized coral threaded with silver wire. "For protection," she said. "Bluewave's tide will always guide those who carry it."

Rhys accepted it with a small bow. "I'll make sure it sees the world before it finds its way home."

Sophia folded her arms, her tone half serious. "Try not to sink this time."

"Hey, that was one time," he protested.

"Exactly," she said. "Let's keep it that way."

Aria grinned and gave him a quick salute. "If you find any more ancient ruins or angry sea gods, don't forget to send me an invite."

Puddle giggled. "We'll save you a monster or two!"

"Generous," Aria replied, smirking.

Lyra watched them all with quiet fondness before stepping forward. Her presence alone made the air shimmer faintly, her aura mingling with the sea's rhythm. "Thank you," she said softly. "For standing with him when I could not."

Caria inclined her head respectfully. "Just keep him from getting himself killed. That's all the thanks we need."

Lyra's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I'll do my best."

The ship's sails unfurled above them, shimmering with faint runes as Aurelius spread his radiant wings and perched atop the mast. Moonbounce's soft glow reflected off the deck like rippling moonlight. The air hummed with energy — the calm before a new tide.

Rhys took one last look at the city, the coral walls gleaming under the morning sun, then turned to his companions.

"Let's go."

Lyra stepped beside him, her hair streaming in the wind, eyes bright with purpose. "The sea's calling again."

Puddle twirled in the air, leaving a trail of shimmering droplets. "Adventure number two begins!"

With a low creak and the rush of water beneath its hull, the ship pushed away from the dock. The waves caught it gently, guiding it toward the open horizon.

Behind them, Bluewave shone like a gem in the light — resilient, eternal. Ahead, the endless ocean stretched before them, dotted with faint islands and the promise of mysteries yet to come.

Rhys rested a hand on the ship's railing, the wind tugging at his cloak. "All right," he murmured. "Let's see what waits beyond the tide."

Lyra's voice drifted beside him, soft but resolute. "The world's waking again, Rhys. And this time… we'll be there to greet it."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.