The moment Reider stepped out of the portal, the world rushed back into him all at once.
Wind.
Smoke.
The lingering scent of scorched earth.
Before he could fully orient himself, three figures were already moving.
"Reider!!"
Mei's voice cracked as she ran, tears streaming freely down her face. Vael was right behind her, boots pounding the broken ground, jaw tight but eyes shining. Eryndra followed, fast and reckless, abandoning all pretense of composure.
They slammed into him together.
The impact nearly staggered him—not from force, but from emotion.
Arms wrapped around his torso, his shoulders, his back. Mei buried her face against his chest, sobbing openly. Vael hooked an arm around his side, pressing her forehead briefly into his shoulder with a breath that shook despite her smirk. Eryndra clung to him fiercely, fingers digging into fabric as if letting go might make him vanish again.
"You idiot…" Vael muttered, her voice thick despite the teasing edge. "You took long enough."
Reider didn't move at first.
Then, slowly, he lifted a hand and rested it gently on Mei's head.
"I'm back," he said softly.
The words were simple—but they landed like an anchor.
Eryndra's voice came out muffled, buried against him. "Don't ever make us wait again…"
Before he could respond, the air shifted.
A deep, resonant hum rolled beneath their feet.
A massive golden magic circle bloomed into existence under them, divine symbols unfolding in intricate layers. Light poured upward like a rising tide, warm and overwhelming.
"What's happening?" Mei asked, startled, though she didn't loosen her grip.
Vael's eyes widened as she felt the energy wash over her. Her voice was calm, but serious. "This is… divine magic."
The circle activated.
Light surged upward, lifting all four of them as the battlefield fell away below. The world blurred, sound dissolving into a single sustained vibration as their forms began to fade.
Below, their friends stared upward in shock.
"Where are they going?!" Kael shouted, shielding his eyes.
Then—
Light.
Reider felt the transition before he saw it.
When the glow faded, they stood beneath endless skies of gold and white. Floating islands drifted lazily through rivers of light. Towers of gleaming architecture rose in the distance, impossibly elegant, carved from divine radiance itself.
This was not a place meant for mortals.
Two figures stood before them.
A woman with silver hair that flowed like liquid starlight, her golden eyes warm yet immeasurably deep. Beside her stood a man clad in white and silver armor, long dark hair framing pale blue eyes that held the weight of equilibrium itself.
The air bent subtly around them.
The goddess smiled first.
"So you're the one who erased Lucian from existence," she said gently. "Thank you, Reider."
Reider studied them in silence.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I am Ilyria," the goddess replied, stepping forward. "Goddess of Light. I was the one who brought you back from the dimension you were trapped in."
Vael's eyes narrowed. "Why? What do you want with him?"
The man stepped forward, voice steady and unyielding. "I am Orion, God of Balance. I ask not for much—only a favor."
"A favor?" Mei echoed quietly, tightening her hold on Reider's arm.
"There is a kingdom," Orion continued. "Eldross. Home of the demi-humans. It stands on the brink of destruction."
"Why me?" Reider asked.
"Because you understand strength," Ilyria said softly. "And restraint."
Eryndra crossed her arms. "And if he refuses?"
"We won't force him," Orion said evenly. "But we believe he is the only one capable."
Reider glanced at Mei. Then Vael. Then Eryndra.
Silence stretched.
"You've already saved one world," Ilyria said gently. "Will you turn away from another?"
Reider lowered his head, shadows falling across his eyes.
Vael smirked faintly. "You're gonna say yes."
"If they need me," Reider said quietly, "I'll help."
Mei smiled, resting her head against his shoulder. "We'll follow you."
Eryndra grinned. "Another adventure, huh?"
Orion raised a hand. A floating map appeared—Eldross besieged by fire and shadow.
"Tell me everything," Reider said.
"You're not finished yet," Ilyria said softly.
"Let's go," Reider replied.
But before the magic could activate—
"Before you go," Ilyria said, raising her hand, "you may ask for two wishes."
Reider paused.
"Two wishes?" Mei whispered.
He thought quietly.
"First," he said at last, "I want to stop aging so fast."
Understanding softened Ilyria's gaze. "Granted."
Light wrapped around him, then faded.
"And your second?"
"Restore Zera's arm."
Silence.
Then warmth.
"A noble wish," Ilyria said. "Granted."
Zera screamed—not in pain, but disbelief—as golden light rebuilt her arm.
"My arm…" she whispered, tears falling. "It's back."
"Reider…" she breathed.
Back in the divine realm, the circle returned.
"May you find peace," Ilyria said.
"The people of Eldross await," Orion added.
"We'll be ready," Reider said.
The light took them.
They returned to their world in gold.
Zera ran to him, laughing and crying.
"Good," Reider said simply.
They gathered together, laughter breaking through the ashes of war.
For now—
There was peace.