A City in Recovery
The rain came quietly.
It quickly swept the lands of Nova Terra.
It tapped against glass windows and slid off rooftops as Eagle City embraced its stormy morning, painting every shadow in blue and gray.
Location: Downtown Eagle District - Shops
Reiku, Musi, and Ina walked along a narrow alley filled with warm-lit shop signs and neon reflections in puddles.
Ina twirled an umbrella lazily while Musi bounced between store windows, her energy radiating despite the weather. Reiku, hands in her jacket pockets, remained quiet, but her gaze softened every time Musi laughed.
"That one has bubble tea, Reiku!"
"You literally had three drinks at breakfast." Reiku sighingly said.
"And I regret none of them."
Ina snorted behind her cup. "At least we know her healing magic isn't sugar-dependent."
Location: Main Street - Local Cafe
Across the city, Mek and Para sat across from one another at a quiet cafe tucked into a corner building, raindrops racing down the glass beside them and the world outside.
A map was spread across the table, scribbled with plans, territories, and possible supply chains.
"If we play it smart, we won't need to conquer -- just absorb," Para said, stirring his coffee.
"Smart doesn't keep Musi safe," Mek muttered. "And I care more about that than any plan."
Para looked up, eyes softening. "You've changed."
Mek nodded once. "Maybe for the better."
"Or for the worst." Para replied.
Location: Outskirt's Old Ruins - Tyrant's Vault Entrance
Rain streaked down the cracked stone where Rumoto and TLK sat on old cobblestone columns overlooking the wasteland where their journey had started.
TLK had his longcoat pulled over his wings while Rumoto stared at a small photograph in his hand.
"You keep looking at that." TLK asked.
"She makes me feel like I'm worth something again." Rumoto replied, with a small smile on his face.
The girl's name was Vera--a regular at Reiku's club. One night, she complimented Rumoto's patience. He hadn't let go of that since.
TLK chuckled. "Don't get soft on me, old man."
"OLD?! I'm only 1 year old than you..." Rumoto replied, with a joking-angry voice.
"But don't worry, I'm not soft... just alive..." His voice becoming softer with each word coming out of his mouth.
Suddenly, the rain stopped.
No fade-out. No soft end.
Just silence.
Every person froze--Reiku looking up through the alley's glass overhang, Para mid-sentence in the café, Rumoto rising from his seat.
They all turned their gaze toward the eastern horizon--where a massive beam of white-gold light pierced through the clouds, spiraling upward like a lance through the sky.
Everyone knew.
"NTG," TLK muttered, jaw tightening.
"They're still fighting, but I wonder who it is this time" Ina whispered.
But none of them moved.
Because they also knew; this wasn't their battle. Not yet.
The rain resumed. And life continued.
Location: Eagle City Skyscraper, 250th Floor Penthouse - New Home Base
Weeks later, time passed without much worry or failures.
And despite the ghosts that lingered, life began to grow again.
Rumoto and Vera became inseparable, sharing quiet evenings in Reiku's club under the dim lights and soft music.
Mek watched over Musi like a storm-watcher--quiet, stern, and always there. Her birthday neared, and she joked he was more of a dad than a soldier.
Reiku and Ina forged a bond of friendship deeper than most lovers--she became her bartender, her barista, her right hand.
TLK took over management--juggling money, bookings, and club permits with a surprising amount of grace, even if he occasionally yelled at paperwork.
And Para? He found Vee at the graveyard.
They didn't speak the first hour.
Just shared the silence.
And both cried.
They both had lost people close to them.
Even if they never knew each other before this very moment, the feeling they shared drove a deep-enough connection for these two souls to realize someone else can share their pain.
They started talking, becoming friends forged through the shadows of their family's vacancy.
But Ina has been saying how they seem to be talking to each other more than just 'friends'.~
Location: Top Floor of the Skyscraper - New Home Base
The skyline sparkled beneath them.
The group stood at the penthouse--a wide open floor of luxury, memories, and quiet laughter.
The walls were all glass including some of the roof, the city stretching far below. Cushions, couches, and a few tables were set up. Soft music.
Then--
"SURPRISE!!" Mek shouted, holding up a cake with sloppy blue frosting.
Musi gasped. "No way! You guys suck at secrets!"
"We learned from the best," Ina grinned, handing her a gift-wrapped box.
Inside, a white and gold healing staff, etched with magic runes.
"It's enchanted," Mek said softly. "Boosts your range and your Output. You're ready now."
The room warmed.
They laughed. Ate. Told stories. Toasted to loss, and to love. This was what peace felt like.
"EVERYONE, WATCH OUT!" TLK shouted, wings spreading wide.
Glass exploded and shattered, the skyscraper shook from the impact.
Two bodies crashed through the windows, slamming down in front of the group.
Valentine--bloodied, bruised, panting, one eye glowing deep red.
Blaidd--katana drawn, hair soaked with rain, jaw clenched.
They didn't speak. Didn't hesitate.
Behind them, Glonk burst through using his contracting magic, riding dark spirals of air.
LuLu, glowing in her full Archangel form, descended like a vengeful star.
Everyone else stood frozen--but realized--
"They're not here for us," Para whispered, pulling them all back behind a wall.
The four arrivals ignored the room, focused only on each other.
And then--
CLASH!
Valentine's fist met Blaidd's katana in a collision of fire and frost.
The skyscraper shook again, as Para and the rest watched from around a wall.