SCENE 1: The Morning After
The sun crept through the wide glass windows of the Guild dining hall, painting the room in soft gold. The long tables were filled with clattering plates and muffled conversations, the usual noise of early morning before training began.
At the far end, Caleb sat stiffly, his hands folded on the table as though he were awaiting a tribunal. He wore the same uniform as everyone else, simple black with the Guild crest stitched at the shoulder, but something about him was different today. His face had a strange mixture of nervousness and pride, and his eyes flicked occasionally to the young woman seated across from him.
Cecelia.
She looked different too. Not because of her clothes or her smile, but because of the way she carried herself now. There was a glow about her, a new lightness. Around her neck hung the delicate silver necklace Caleb had given her the night before, its charm catching the morning sun. She kept brushing her fingers against it unconsciously, like she still needed to make sure it was real.
The table around them, however, was far from quiet.
"So," Jax began, leaning forward with a wolfish grin, "when exactly were you planning to tell us? Before or after you started planning your wedding registry?"
Cecelia nearly choked on her juice. Caleb groaned, dragging a hand over his face.
"Jax—"
"Don't 'Jax' me," the taller boy interrupted. "You've been moping around here for weeks like some tragic poet, and then you pull this romantic stunt with fireworks? Fireworks? And you didn't think to invite me in on the plan?"
"You would have ruined it," Caleb muttered.
"Yeah," Jeremiah chimed in, smirking. "He would have put 'Will you be my sidekick' instead of 'Will you be my love for life.'"
The table erupted in laughter. Katherine nearly dropped her fork, her shoulders shaking as she tried not to laugh too loudly. Lyra covered her mouth but failed miserably, her giggles spilling out in bursts.
Cecelia hid her face in her hands, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.
"I hate all of you," Caleb muttered, though his ears burned red.
"You love us," Lyra teased. "Besides, you should be grateful. Do you know how rare it is for Cecelia to smile like that? You should have asked her months ago."
Cecelia peeked out from behind her fingers, her cheeks warm. "Please stop."
"Nope," Jax said, leaning back with a satisfied sigh. "This is too good. This is payback for all those times you scolded me about my training."
Katherine finally caught her breath. "In all seriousness, Caleb, I'm happy for you. You've…you've made the right choice."
Her words were gentle, layered with meaning. Caleb met her gaze for a moment, and then gave a small nod, a silent acknowledgment of the past and the distance he had chosen.
Jeremiah noticed, but he said nothing. Instead, he lifted his cup toward Caleb. "For what it's worth, you did well. A clean proposal. I approve."
Caleb rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Dad."
The table laughed again.
"Not Dad," Jeremiah corrected, smirking. "Older brother, maybe. Definitely not Dad."
Leo dropped into the empty seat beside him, carrying his tray with one hand. "What's all this noise? I heard screaming three halls down."
"Celebration," Jax answered quickly. "Our boy Caleb finally confessed."
Leo froze mid-bite of toast. He turned, staring at Caleb, then at Cecelia, then back at Caleb. Slowly, a wide grin spread across his face.
"Finally."
He slapped Caleb hard on the back, nearly knocking him into his plate. Cecelia jumped at the impact, her hand flying to cover her necklace protectively.
"Congratulations," Leo said with genuine warmth. "About time you stopped sulking over Katherine. Took you long enough to realize Cecelia was waiting for you."
Cecelia turned pink. Katherine bit her lip, trying not to laugh. Jeremiah leaned closer to Caleb. "See? Even the kid approves."
"I'm older than him," Caleb protested, scowling at Leo.
"Not in maturity," Leo shot back with a grin.
The whole table dissolved into laughter once more. For a moment, the Guild dining hall felt lighter than it had in months. The wars, the missions, the blood they had all seen—it was all somewhere far away, pushed out by the warmth of teasing and the glow of new beginnings.
Cecelia looked around at them, her smile softening. This, she thought, was what family felt like.
But then, like a sudden draft through an open window, the mood shifted.
The sound of boots striking stone echoed into the hall. Ezra entered, his long coat sweeping behind him, his face unreadable as always. He paused near the entrance, scanning the room with his sharp eyes. Conversation dimmed immediately.
When he finally spoke, his voice carried, calm yet heavy.
"I hear congratulations are in order," Ezra said. His gaze landed on Caleb and Cecelia. A faint, almost imperceptible smile flickered across his face before it was gone. "Well done."
Cecelia bowed her head politely. Caleb gave a curt nod, uncertain how to respond under that piercing gaze.
"But," Ezra continued, his voice hardening, "do not let joy blind you. The enemy does not rest. Even now, I sense movement in the void. Shadows shifting where they should not. Something is coming."
The laughter that had filled the room moments ago bled away into silence. Plates clinked softly as hands stilled.
Ezra walked further in, his presence commanding, each step deliberate. "Your lives belong not only to yourselves, but to every soul that depends on our defense. Celebrate, yes. But remember—war is patient. It waits until your guard is down."
The words struck like hammer blows, sobering every face in the room. Cecelia's hand drifted instinctively to her necklace, holding it tight. Caleb's jaw set, his eyes darkening as if preparing already for the weight of what was coming.
Katherine and Jeremiah exchanged a glance, quiet understanding passing between them. Lyra lowered her gaze to the table, thoughtful, while Jax shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Ezra's eyes scanned them all, as though measuring their resolve. Then, without another word, he turned and strode back out of the hall, leaving silence in his wake.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Then Jax cleared his throat. "…Well. That killed the mood."
Despite the tension, a few nervous chuckles rippled through the table. But none of them fully returned to laughter. The joy lingered, yes, but now it was tempered, shadowed by the reminder of a war they could not escape.
Caleb finally looked at Cecelia, her fingers still wrapped around the necklace. He reached across the table, laying his hand gently over hers.
"We'll be ready," he said quietly, more to himself than to her.
Cecelia squeezed his hand back, her voice soft but steady. "Together."
And though outside the sun was bright and the day was clear, every one of them felt the weight of Ezra's warning settling over them like a shadow.
The morning after was no ordinary morning. It was the calm before the storm.
---
Scene Two- 1 year later,
The Secret Plans
Later that afternoon, the training grounds were unusually lively. Wooden dummies lined the courtyard, the clang of metal and bursts of elemental energy filling the air as drills continued. Yet beneath the rhythm of combat, another kind of energy simmered, something conspiratorial.
Katherine wiped sweat from her brow after a spar with Lyra, then leaned casually toward Jeremiah. "So, you're sure Caleb is serious this time?"
Jeremiah smirked faintly, resting his staff against his shoulder. "He told me himself this morning. He's done chasing what isn't his. He wants to build something real. With Cecelia."
Lyra grinned, bouncing lightly on her feet. "About time you guys finally settled down it's been like a year since you started dating. Cecelia has been head over heels for ages. Do you know how many times I caught her sneaking looks at him during drills? It was getting embarrassing."
"Careful," Jax called from the other end of the yard, balancing a training sword on his shoulder. "She might sneak looks at you next, Lyra."
Lyra threw a pebble at him, which he dodged with exaggerated flair.
"Focus," Katherine cut in, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "If Caleb is serious, we need to help. He's not exactly…romantic."
"That's putting it lightly," Jeremiah said dryly.
Jax strode over, tapping the flat of his sword against his palm. "So what's the plan? Flowers? Music? Maybe I should sing. I've got the voice of an angel."
"More like a dying crow," Leo muttered, stepping into the circle with his usual bluntness. His younger frame contrasted with the rest, but his words carried weight. "Caleb needs something strong. Something that shows he's thought about this, not some joke."
Jeremiah nodded. "He's right. Cecelia deserves more than a half-baked gesture. This has to feel unforgettable."
For a moment, the group fell into thought, each of them weighing what they could contribute. It was Katherine who broke the silence, her eyes bright.
"What about fireworks?" she said.
Lyra's face lit up instantly. "Yes! Something in the sky. Bold, impossible to ignore. That's perfect."
"Too dangerous," Jeremiah countered automatically, but then he hesitated. His lips curved faintly. "Unless Haruto builds them."
As if summoned, the quiet engineer strolled in from the workshop side of the courtyard, wiping grease from his hands. He raised an eyebrow at their stares. "Why do I feel like I've just been volunteered?"
"Because you have," Jax said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You're going to build us fireworks. Big ones."
Haruto gave him a flat look, then shifted his gaze to Katherine. "What for?"
Katherine explained softly, her tone carrying that familiar blend of warmth and command. "For Caleb. He's ready to confess properly. To ask Cecelia to be his partner in life, not just in the Guild. He needs us."
For a moment, Haruto studied her, then let out a small sigh. "I suppose it's better than repairing armor all day. But if I do this, it has to be done right. I'll need materials, and time."
"You'll have both," Jeremiah said firmly.
Leo leaned forward, his youthful grin widening. "Then let's inscribe something in the sky. Not just fireworks—words. A message she can never forget."
"'Will you walk this road with me for life?'" Lyra suggested eagerly, her eyes dancing.
Jax gagged dramatically. "Corny."
"Romantic," Katherine corrected with a smirk. "And exactly what Cecelia deserves."
The group shared a glance, and one by one, nods of agreement followed.
"Alright," Jeremiah said, his tone taking on the crispness of leadership. "Here's how this will work. Caleb won't be allowed to lift a finger. He's too nervous, and if Cecelia suspects anything, the surprise is ruined. We handle everything. Haruto, fireworks. Jax, food and setup. Lyra, decorations. Katherine and I will keep Cecelia distracted until the moment arrives."
"What about me?" Leo asked, raising a brow.
"You," Jeremiah said, "make sure Caleb doesn't lose his nerve."
Leo grinned. "Easy."
Jax folded his arms. "And when do we pull this off?"
"Her birthday," Katherine answered without hesitation.
Everyone turned to her.
"She deserves her own day," Katherine explained. "A day that isn't tied to war, or missions, or duty. A day that belongs only to her."
Silence followed, then soft murmurs of agreement.
The decision was made.
For the next week, the Guild buzzed with a secret energy. Between drills and missions, each member played their part. Haruto locked himself in the workshop, his usual grumbling masking the excitement in his eyes as he sketched designs for explosive patterns that could spell words against the night sky. The others ferried supplies to him in quiet trips, always careful to avoid Cecelia's curious gaze.
Jax, despite his laziness, threw himself into food preparation, consulting with Guild cooks and even sneaking recipes from Cecelia's own notes so the flavors would be perfect. Lyra worked on decorations, stringing delicate lights and gathering flowers that Cecelia had once mentioned liking.
Katherine took the hardest task of all—keeping Cecelia distracted. She pulled her into long study sessions, mock duels, even quiet walks through the gardens. Cecelia laughed, grateful for the time, never suspecting that every delay was carefully measured.
Jeremiah watched it all unfold, silently approving. For once, the Guild felt whole. Not a band of soldiers, not a gathering of broken people forged by war, but something closer to family.
On the third evening, Caleb cornered Jeremiah in the training yard, his voice low. "Are you sure about this?"
Jeremiah tilted his head. " you are going to be a married man Do you want to back out?"
Caleb swallowed hard, shaking his head. "No. I just…don't want to fail her. Not again."
"You won't," Jeremiah said simply. "Because this time, you're not doing it alone. You have us."
Caleb stared at him for a long moment, then nodded slowly, the weight of fear lifting from his shoulders.
That night, as the Guild members gathered in secret to finalize the plans, the air buzzed with anticipation. Each of them carried scars, each had reasons to doubt joy—but in that moment, they were united in giving one of their own something worth holding onto.
A promise of love for eternity, lit against the night sky.
And though Cecelia remained blissfully unaware, a feeling lingered in her chest every time she caught her friends whispering or exchanging knowing looks. She tilted her head curiously but said nothing.
If she suspected, she never showed it.
And the Guild, for once, held their secret close, preparing for the night that would change everything.
---
SCENE 3- The Birthday Celebration
The Guild hall had never looked brighter. Strings of lights ran along the rafters, weaving a warm glow through the stone chamber. Flowers Cecelia once mentioned loving—blue lilies and ivory roses—were arranged on every table, their soft fragrance mixing with the smell of roasted meats and fresh bread. Lyra had gone over every detail twice, her fingers still dusted with flower pollen, while Jax set the last platters of food down with a grin that was far too smug for someone who had spent the past week stealing recipes.
Cecelia stepped inside, her eyes wide. "What is all this?" she asked, her voice caught between surprise and wonder. She wore a simple white dress Katherine had convinced her to try on earlier, saying it "fit the occasion." Now, as she looked around, realization slowly dawned. "This is…for me?"
"Of course," Katherine said, stepping forward with a warm smile. "Happy birthday, Cecelia."
For a moment, Cecelia simply stood there, lips parted, her eyes shining with an emotion she didn't voice. Then she laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're all ridiculous. But thank you. This is…this is beautiful."
"Ridiculous?" Jax protested, pretending to clutch his chest. "I slaved over food for days."
"You mean you ate half of it before finishing," Lyra shot back.
Everyone laughed, the sound carrying easily across the hall. The tension of war, of missions, of everything looming over them seemed to melt away for one night. Tonight wasn't about enemies or survival. It was about Cecelia.
Leo slipped her a small box, and she blinked. "Already? Gifts too?"
"Open it," he said quickly, glancing at Caleb from the corner of his eye.
Inside the box was a silver hairpin shaped like a crescent moon. Cecelia's breath caught. She looked up at Leo, touched. "It's beautiful."
"It was my mother's," Leo admitted quietly. "I thought you should have it."
Cecelia's hand trembled as she touched the pin. "Leo…are you sure?"
He nodded. "You'll take better care of it than I ever could."
She hugged him tightly, whispering something too soft for the others to hear. Katherine's lips curved into a faint smile as she watched. The younger boy had grown more than any of them realized.
Music began—Jeremiah had coaxed a few of the Guild musicians into playing softly in the corner. The gentle notes filled the hall, mingling with laughter, chatter, and the clinking of glasses. Cecelia drifted from person to person, laughing at Lyra's jokes, teasing Jax about his cooking, thanking Haruto for the little mechanical trinket he presented with a grunt and an embarrassed shrug.
But through it all, Caleb lingered near the edge of the hall. He smiled when she laughed, laughed when she teased the others, but his hands fidgeted restlessly at his sides. He caught Jeremiah's eye once, and the healer gave him a small nod. Soon.
When the meal ended and the last round of laughter died down, Katherine stood, raising her glass. "To Cecelia," she said warmly. "May this year bring you peace, joy, and love."
Everyone echoed the toast, glasses clinking. Cecelia raised hers too, though her eyes glistened. "You're all too much. I don't even know what to say."
"You don't need to," Jeremiah said softly, though there was a knowing look in his eyes.
The musicians shifted into a brighter tune, and Lyra tugged Cecelia into a dance. The hall filled with movement and laughter again. Caleb stayed back, his gaze fixed on her, heart pounding harder with every passing minute. When Jeremiah finally touched his shoulder, he swallowed hard.
"It's time," Jeremiah murmured.
Caleb nodded. His throat felt dry, but his steps were steady as he moved outside into the cool night air. The Guild had set the stage perfectly—the riverside courtyard was lit with lanterns, their glow reflecting off the gentle water. Beyond, Haruto's hidden mechanisms were already in place, waiting for the signal.
Inside, Katherine gently steered Cecelia toward the doors. "Come with me," she said mysteriously.
Cecelia frowned. "What are you all plotting?"
"Nothing," Katherine replied far too innocently.
But when Cecelia stepped outside and saw Caleb waiting by the river, lanterns glowing around him, her breath hitched. "Caleb?"
He turned, his heart leaping at the sight of her. She looked radiant, the white dress catching the lantern light, her eyes wide with curiosity. For a moment, he couldn't speak. Then he forced himself forward, his voice steady but full of emotion.
"Cecelia," he began, "there's something I've been needing to say for a long time."
She blinked, her brows furrowing. "Caleb…?"
He gestured toward the riverbank, where flat stones lay scattered. "Do you remember when Katherine and I used to skip stones here? You'd sit nearby, pretending not to watch, but you were always laughing when we messed up."
Cecelia's lips curved faintly. "Of course I remember."
"I didn't realize then," Caleb said quietly, "how much you were always there. Watching. Supporting. Loving me, even when I didn't deserve it."
Her breath caught. "Caleb…"
"I was too blind," he admitted, his voice trembling. "Too caught up in feelings that were never meant to be. And in chasing what wasn't mine, I nearly lost what I should have seen all along. You. The one person who never gave up on me. The one who loved me without reason, without expectation."
Her eyes shone, but she stayed silent, waiting.
Caleb took a deep breath, then signaled subtly toward the trees. A heartbeat later, the night sky lit up.
Brilliant streaks of light exploded overhead, not in random colors but in precise, crafted patterns. Haruto's fireworks painted words across the heavens, each letter burning bright:
WILL YOU BE MY LOVE FOR LIFE?
Cecelia gasped, a hand flying to her mouth. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked back at Caleb, who had already dropped to one knee. In his hand was a simple ring, crafted of silver and inset with a small sapphire—nothing extravagant, but it shone with sincerity.
"Cecelia," Caleb said, his voice breaking but strong enough to carry, "will you marry me? Will you give me the chance to love you the way you've always deserved?"
For a heartbeat, silence hung heavy in the air. The fireworks crackled above, their light dancing across her face. Then Cecelia dropped to her knees in front of him, tears streaming down her cheeks, and threw her arms around his neck.
"Yes," she whispered, her voice trembling with joy. "Yes, Caleb. A thousand times yes."
The Guild erupted from the shadows where they had been hiding, cheers and laughter filling the night. Lyra squealed and hugged Katherine, Jax pumped his fist into the air, and Jeremiah let out a quiet breath of relief. Even Haruto allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.
Caleb held Cecelia tightly, his forehead pressed against hers, their laughter and tears mixing under the glow of lanterns and fireworks. For the first time in years, he felt whole. Not chasing ghosts of the past, not weighed down by regret, but standing in the present with the woman who had always been by his side.
And as the cheers echoed and the sky burned bright, Caleb knew this was only the beginning.
Scene Four:
The Shadows of War
The cheers still rang through the courtyard, echoing under the lanterns as Caleb slipped the silver band onto Cecelia's trembling finger. Gasps rose from the Guild members as the ring caught the light, the sapphire glinting like a captured star. Cecelia stared at it as though it might vanish if she blinked too hard, her hands trembling with joy.
Then Caleb leaned forward, cupping her face, and kissed her. Softly at first, almost tentative, then with the release of years of restraint. Cecelia melted into him, tears still sliding down her cheeks, her hands clutching his shoulders as though afraid to let go. The Guild erupted into clapping, whistles, and laughter, the sound wrapping around them like a warm embrace.
"About time!" Jax shouted over the noise, grinning ear to ear.
Lyra was bouncing on her heels, tears streaming down her cheeks even as she laughed. "I knew it! I knew this day would come!"
Cecelia pulled back just enough to meet Caleb's eyes, her voice breaking. "I never thought I'd hear those words from you."
"You deserved them long ago," Caleb said simply, his forehead resting against hers. "I was the fool who took too long to see it."
She kissed him again in answer, the courtyard exploding once more in cheers.
Amid the noise, Jeremiah stood slightly apart, his staff propped against his shoulder, a small smile curving his lips. Katherine leaned against him, her head settling onto his shoulder, her eyes shining as she watched the two before them. It was rare to see something so pure, so untainted by the shadows of war.
Jeremiah tilted his head slightly, his voice low so only she could hear. "I'm going to make mine bigger than this."
Katherine blinked, startled. She turned her face up toward him, catching the faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Bigger?"
He nodded once, eyes still on Caleb and Cecelia. "Bigger. It's a promise."
Katherine's breath caught, warmth flooding her cheeks. She looked away quickly, biting her lip to hide the blush. Her thoughts swirled in silence. Sure…when all this is over.
She didn't say it aloud, but the weight of the promise lodged in her chest, steady and unshakable.
The night continued in laughter and music, the Guild celebrating not as soldiers but as family. Cecelia's joy lit every corner of the hall, her hand never leaving Caleb's. For the first time in a long time, hope felt tangible.
But far away, on the red plains of Mars, a very different scene unfolded.
---
The Obsidian Citadel loomed in silence, its black towers piercing the sky. Within its grand hall, King Leonard stood before a vast holographic display, his hands clasped behind his back. The flickering light illuminated his scarred face, his eyes burning with a madness sharpened by years of hatred.
Around him, commanders and generals knelt, their armor clinking against the stone floor. Beyond the windows, the hangars of the Citadel roared with activity—ships being armed, engines igniting, weapons systems loaded. The hum of war filled the air.
Leonard's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Eight hundred warships," he murmured, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Each armed with the might of Obsidian fire. Each carrying the will of our people. And all of them will descend upon Earth."
The generals raised their fists in salute, a thunderous chorus of voices shaking the chamber. "For Obsidia! For the King!"
Leonard raised a hand, silencing them. "For too long, Earth has defied us. For too long, they have hidden behind their Guilds and their so-called heroes. But their walls will crumble. Their skies will burn. Their people will kneel."
He stepped forward, his cloak dragging along the cold stone, his voice rising. "This is not a raid. This is not a skirmish. This is war. The final war. And when it ends, Earth will belong to Obsidia. Their champions will lie broken at my feet. And their women and children will learn the meaning of submission."
A cruel laugh tore from his throat, echoing into the high ceilings. His eyes gleamed as he lifted a clenched fist. "Prepare the fleet! In three cycles, we march for Earth. Let their oceans turn red with the blood of their protectors!"
The hall erupted in savage roars of approval. Soldiers pounded their fists against their armor, the sound a war-drum that rattled the stones themselves.
Far above, the hangar doors of the Citadel opened, and the first of the eight hundred warships rose into the red sky, engines burning like a herald of doom. Their shadows stretched long over the plains of Mars, swallowing the light of its dying sun.
And on Earth, beneath the laughter of a celebration, none of the Guild yet knew that their greatest trial was already on its way.
To be continued...