Chapter 47
Morning sunlight washed over the wide streets of the Hidden Sky City, turning the stone buildings golden.
Lucas let his shoulders relax for the first time in what felt like forever.
The heavy weight of his plans, his training, and the scary future was lifted just for a moment.
Beside him, Nora walked with a light step that seemed to pull him out of his own dark thoughts.
Being with her reminded him there was more to life than mana, politics, and the creepy, all-knowing Great Sage.
They walked with no real destination, just enjoying the city waking up.
Vendors shouted, selling magical fruits and hot buns.
The clang of a blacksmith's hammer mixed with the sound of people talking.
It was normal, messy, and wonderfully alive.
"Our clan leader is super mean and never smiles, just like you," Nora teased, nudging him with her elbow. Her pure white eyes sparkled.
Lucas chuckled. "So I'm a super mean guy who doesn't smile? I smile around you all the time."
"That's a lie!" she laughed. "Before we were supposed to get married, and even after, you never smiled—just a blank face. I was shocked you're even taking care of Tracy and Mia. You're not totally emotionless." She linked her arm with his as they walked through the busy street.
"From mean to emotionless? You're breaking my heart," Lucas said, faking a pout and clutching his chest.
'At least they didn't tell her that I'm the one who killed Tracy's husband, who is Mia's father.'
Nora laughed harder, making a few people look. "See? That's the Lucas I like—the one who makes funny faces and jokes. Don't hide him."
He smiled at her. "I'll try not to."
Suddenly, she saw something across the street. "Oh! Let's get some of those!" She let go of his arm and dashed through the crowd like the cultivator she was.
Lucas followed with a shake of his head. She stopped at a colorful stall full of trinkets, jewelry, and little wooden carvings. She pointed excitedly at two matching pendants—smooth, dark blue stones on leather cords.
"Look! They look like the night sky," she said, holding one up. Tiny specks inside shone like stars.
"They're nice," Lucas agreed.
An old vendor woman smiled. "For the young couple? They're travel charms, blessed by rune carvers. Not strong magic, but good luck."
Nora blushed a little at "couple" but didn't correct her. She looked at Lucas.
"We'll take both," Lucas said, paying.
As the woman wrapped them, Nora whispered, "You didn't have to. I have my own money."
"I wanted to," he said simply.
They kept walking and soon smelled delicious food.
A market filled a big square with amazing smells and noise.
Nora pulled Lucas from stall to stall, trying sweet pastries, spicy grilled lizard meat (which Lucas ate without saying a word, though he looked a little surprised), and cool mint juice.
They ate by a big fountain, watching kids chase floating seeds. They talked about silly things—a noble's weird haircut, a spoiled pet spirit-beast, a new play that was probably too dramatic.
Later, as the sun started to set, painting the sky orange and purple, they walked in a public garden.
Magical flowers glowed softly in the twilight.
The air smelled sweet and cool.
They walked down a quiet path under willow trees, the city sounds fading away.
"You're quieter than usual," Nora said.
Lucas sighed. "I was just thinking… this all feels like a dream. A good dream. I'm scared to wake up."
Nora stopped and faced him. Light through the leaves danced on her serious face. "It's not a dream, Lucas." She took his hand, her grip warm and strong. "No matter what happens, no matter what you're scared of or planning… this is real. I'm not going anywhere."
He looked at their joined hands, then at her honest face. "I know," he said softly. "That's the only thing that keeps the dream from becoming a nightmare."
She didn't ask for details. She never did. She just accepted the darkness he carried and gave him light instead. It was a gift he could never fully repay.
"Come on," she said, smiling again. She pulled his hand. "I saw a stand selling those cloud-cakes you loved when we were kids. Let's see if they're still as fluffy."
He let her lead him, a small smile on his lips.
The future was a storm coming, full of war, betrayal, and powerful beings fighting for control.
The Great Sage watched from his hidden place, and the Abyssal Moon moved in the shadows.
Lucas's own goals were a dangerous climb up a mountain of impossible power.
But for today, for these few stolen hours as the sky darkened, there were only cloud-cakes, Nora's laughter, and the real feel of her hand in his.
It was more than a break; it was a promise.
A reminder of what he was fighting for—at the end of every battle, every long night of study, every sacrifice.
He would make this safe.
He would build a world where days like this weren't rare, but normal.
For her. For his mother asleep in the healing fluid.
For the human part of himself he'd thought he lost in the war.
"Race you!" Nora challenged, letting go and dashing down the path.
Lucas watched her run, her black hair flying.
Then, with a real laugh that surprised even him, he chased her not using any magic speed, just running like a boy after a girl he liked, under a sky that, for this one perfect day, held no hidden dangers, just the fading light and the hope of sweet, fluffy cake.