The road back to Inazuma City was quiet.
Not because they had nothing to say—
But because there was nothing that needed to be said.
The early morning breeze was gentle, brushing their skin with a salt-kissed calm. The sun had just begun to rise, its golden glow peeking over the horizon, casting soft light across the sea and mountains.
Their footsteps crunched lightly on the gravel path.
Noah led, quiet as always.
Kiana walked beside him, arms lazily behind her head.
Elysia hummed softly behind them, spinning in circles with every other step.
Lumine, silent and thoughtful, brought up the rear, her eyes on the rising sun.
For a while, they just walked.
Then Kiana broke the silence.
"You know… I actually thought I wasn't coming back."
Noah glanced at her.
Kiana kept looking forward, her voice casual—but he could hear the edge of it.
"For a moment there, Sirin's voice… it was louder than mine. It felt like she'd finally win."
Her fingers curled at her sides.
"But then… I heard you. All of you. I felt you pulling me back."
She turned to him, her blue eyes shimmering just slightly.
"And I didn't want to let go of that."
Noah didn't speak for a moment.
Then he said quietly:
"You didn't have to fight alone. You never do."
Kiana's lip quivered—just for a second.
Then she grinned.
"Damn it, Noah. You always know what to say to make me cry."
-----------
Elysia caught up to Lumine, nudging her shoulder gently.
"You've been quiet, starlight. Heavy thoughts?"
Lumine didn't answer at first.
Then she whispered:
"I saw what could've been. I felt everything I ran from. It hurt more than I thought it would."
Elysia's smile faded into something softer.
"And now?"
Lumine's golden gaze flicked to Noah's back.
"Now I understand why I kept walking. It wasn't just to find my brother… I was looking for a place I belonged."
She looked at Elysia, then ahead at Kiana and Noah.
"I think I found it."
Elysia's smile bloomed again—genuine and radiant.
"We're lucky, aren't we?"
"Lucky?"
"To have each other. To be broken in places, and still whole where it matters."
Lumine nodded, her voice barely a whisper.
"Yeah… we are."
-----------
The Inn – Familiar Ground, Changed Hearts
The innkeeper blinked as they walked in.
"Well I'll be… Still breathing, huh?" he chuckled. "The way you looked when you left, I was sure you were headed for something big."
"We were," Noah said, his voice calm. "And we made it back."
Kiana raised her hand. "Hot food. Hot bath. In that order."
"Comin' right up."
As they settled in—washed the dirt off their skin, changed into clean clothes, and filled their bellies—the weight they'd carried began to lift, replaced with something warm. Familiar.
Home.
----------
That night, the four of them sat on the inn's balcony together, close enough to feel the warmth of one another's presence.
The city shimmered beneath them, lanterns drifting skyward like soft wishes. The sea was calm. The stars above seemed brighter—almost as if they were watching.
Kiana leaned her head on Noah's shoulder. For once, she wasn't teasing or laughing—just quiet.
"I'm not used to surviving things like this," she murmured. "Back then… everything felt like it slipped through my fingers. I kept fighting, but I never knew if it was enough. I lost so much."
She swallowed hard.
"But now? I don't want to lose again."
Noah didn't speak right away.
Then, gently, he placed his hand over hers.
"You won't. Not while I'm still standing."
Kiana turned to look at him.
"Promise?"
"I do."
She smiled. And her eyes were glassy with unshed tears.
Elysia was resting her chin on the railing, watching the lanterns float. Lumine sat just beside her, knees pulled up to her chest.
After a while, Elysia spoke softly.
"Do you think we're really different now?"
Kiana turned her head. "I feel like we're just more honest."
Lumine nodded. "No… I think we've always been like this. We just finally stopped hiding it."
Elysia turned to her, surprised.
Lumine looked away, embarrassed. "You're not the only one who can be deep, you know."
Elysia laughed—warm and bright.
"There she is. Our little star~."
"Stop calling me that."
"Never.". For once, she wasn't teasing or laughing—just quiet.
-------
Later that night, the warm lights of the inn glowed faintly behind them.
Noah stood on the veranda alone, the breeze tousling his hair as he gazed at the horizon. The stars shimmered above like distant souls watching over them.
The door creaked softly, and he didn't need to turn to know who it was.
Kiana stepped out barefoot, her hair loose, her usual grin nowhere in sight. She leaned next to him, arms resting on the wooden railing.
"You ever think about running away?" she asked.
Noah raised an eyebrow.
"Sometimes. When I'm tired. When it hurts."
"And why don't you?"
He turned to her, gently.
"Because if I run… who'll stand for the ones I love?"
Kiana stared at him.
Then, without a word, she stepped forward—and hugged him. Tightly.
No teasing. No jokes. Just a girl who almost didn't make it, holding on to the one who helped her come back.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then—
"She's still there, you know," Kiana whispered.
Noah turned his head.
"Sirin," she said quietly. "She hasn't gone away."
Her voice was raw. Honest.
"She's quiet now… not like before. But I can feel her. Watching. Thinking. Trying to make sense of things."
She swallowed hard, her eyes reflecting the stars.
"I don't know what she wants. Maybe even she doesn't. But she's there. Inside me. And sometimes…"
She paused.
"Sometimes, I'm scared that one day, I'll be the one who disappears—and only she'll remain."
Noah didn't speak right away. But then he stepped closer, gently taking her hand into his.
His voice was low. Steady.
"Then let her hear this."
"I'm here for you, Kiana. for both of you."
Kiana's eyes widened.
"Not just the girl who fights. Not just the one who laughs and carries the world on her back."
"But also Sirin—the one who hurt. The one who was hurt. The one who's still trying to understand where she belongs."
He met her gaze directly, unwavering.
"You're both a part of you now. And I won't abandon either of you."
Her lips trembled. Her fingers curled tighter around his.
"Noah… you…"
He didn't let go.
"You don't have to fight each other anymore. You just need to be. Together."
A long breath escaped her.
And then, slowly, she rested her forehead against his chest, her voice trembling.
"You really are the dumbest good guy I've ever met."
Noah let out a soft chuckle.
"Takes one to know one."
Kiana smiled into his shirt—and somewhere deep inside, a second presence stirred.
No longer angry. No longer clawing. Just… listening.
"…Thank you."
---------
Elysia flopped onto Lumine's bed.
"Did you miss me?" she teased.
Lumine gave her a half-hearted glare. "You were gone for two hours."
"Tragic. That's two hours too long."
Lumine sighed—but her smile crept through.
"You were incredible, Ely. Back there."
Elysia's voice softened.
"So were you."
They fell quiet.
Then Lumine whispered:
"I'm scared. That when I leave Teyvat… I'll forget how this feels."
Elysia leaned over and touched her forehead to Lumine's, her voice barely more than a breath.
"You won't. Because we'll be with you. In every step. Every light. Every heartbeat."
-------------
Noah sat in his room later, staring at the Void Archives, fingers brushing against the surface as its golden core pulsed with quiet recognition—the same hum they felt beneath Watatsumi.
It pulsed.
[INCOMING ALERT]
[NATLAN – MULTIPLE REGIONS UNDER ATTACK]
[ABYSSAL CORRUPTION DETECTED – PATTERN UNNATURAL]
[CIVILIAN CASUALTIES IMMINENT]
Images flashed—fire, ash, warriors fighting with all they had.
"A war has begun," the Void Archives said. "One they cannot win alone."
"Will you answer, Captain?"
Noah stood.
"I won't let another world fall."
-------------
The next morning, the group stood together, armored, focused.
Noah briefed them.
Lumine stepped forward.
"Natlan needs us."
Kiana cracked her knuckles.
"Let's show them what hope looks like."
Elysia twirled her bow.
"And sparkle while we're at it."
Noah looked at them.
And smiled.
"Let's move."