They ate at the resort restaurant as afternoon softened toward evening.
Plates arrived one after another —grilled reef fish glazed with citrus,buttery prawns with herbs,steamed crab cracked open with practiced ease,and small bowls of spicy island curry that warmed the throat without burning.
Mellody laughed mid-bite."I swear, if we stay here too long, I'm never going back to city food."
Ezra smiled, relaxed in a way he hadn't felt in a long time."Worth it. Every calorie."
Kelly leaned back in her chair, wiping her hands."If you want something special… there's one thing most visitors miss."
Mellody looked up instantly."What?"
"The sunset from the upper cliff," Kelly said."Most people don't bother. It's a climb. About 11,111 steps total."
Ezra blinked."That's… oddly specific."
Kelly grinned."Island thing. Locals count."
Mellody glanced at Ezra, eyes bright."If we start now…?"
Kelly nodded."We'll reach just in time. Perfect light."
Ezra hesitated only a second — then nodded."Let's do it."
The car took them through towns and quiet villages, past painted houses, prayer flags, and children playing near the roads. The air grew cooler as they reached the base of the mountain.
Only a handful of people were there.
"Most stop halfway," Kelly said, stepping out."Not many go all the way."
Mellody stretched."Good. Less crowd. More sky."
They began the climb.
Steps carved from stone, winding upward through forest paths. Butterflies drifted past — yellow, blue, translucent. Birds chirped sharply, hopping between branches.
A peacock crossed their path —its feathers pure black, absorbing light instead of reflecting it.
Mellody paused."It's… beautiful."
Kelly nodded."Triplet Peacock. Looks dark, but it's peaceful. Protective, actually."
Ezra watched it carefully.
Something stirred in his chest — not fear, not dread — just recognition without a name.
They climbed on.
Further up, the forest opened.
A small herd of elephants stood near a stream — a mother, a father, and a baby elephant splashing happily.
Kelly raised a hand."Wait. Let them pass. They respect boundaries. We do the same."
The baby noticed them.
With a curious trumpet, it lifted its trunk and sprayed water directly at Mellody.
Mellody gasped, laughing."Oh—hey!"
She picked up a banana from a nearby basket and held it out.The baby elephant eagerly took it — then sprayed her again, playfully.
Ezra and Kelly laughed, snapping photos.
"You're officially chosen," Ezra teased.
"I feel honored," Mellody said, soaked and smiling.
The parents guided the baby onward, calm and unbothered.
They continued the climb, breath heavier now, legs burning — but spirits light.
At the mountain rest stop, they ordered fresh fruit juices — mango, guava, citrus blends cold against warm palms.
Kelly checked the path ahead."Just two hundred steps more."
Mellody groaned dramatically."You promised 'almost there' five hundred steps ago."
Kelly laughed."I said worth it. Not easy."
They climbed the last stretch together.
At the top —
The world opened.
They stood above the clouds.
A sea of white rolled beneath their feet, untouched, endless. Above them, pure blue sky stretched clean and vast.
Cold breeze kissed their skin,but the sun was still warm — a perfect balance.
Kelly checked the time."Five minutes."
The sun began its descent.
Golden rays spilled across the clouds like liquid fire, turning white into amber, rose, and gold.It looked as if the sun was bathing in the sky, sinking slowly, lovingly.
Kelly took photos quietly.
Then she stepped back."I'll wait by the shop," she said softly."You two… take this moment."
She left them alone.
Mellody turned to Ezra.
"Ezra," she said gently."I told you on our wedding day… I had a secret."
He nodded."I remember."
She stepped closer.
Before speaking, she kissed him —not rushed, not desperate, just warm and present.
When she pulled back, she held his gaze.
"I was…"she paused, smiling softly,"I was the Embodiment of Luck."
Ezra didn't panic. Didn't recoil.
He only felt… calm but also shock.
She continued, voice steady.
"Yeah Manipulate the Luck. Just… probability bending toward good. Protection. Balance. That's why things fall into place around me. But I only use for goods always."
She touched her clover locket."Why people find courage. Why paths open."
Ezra exhaled slowly.
"That's why," he said quietly, "things feel… lighter when you're near."
She nodded."I can't erase pain. Or fear. Or what you are. But I can stand beside it."
The sun dipped fully into the clouds.
Light wrapped them both.
Ezra pulled her into his arms.
For the first time in a long while,his mind was silent.
No whispers. No dread. No watching eyes.
Just warmth. Just love.
And the quiet understanding that sometimes,luck doesn't mean nothing bad will happen —it means you won't face it alone.
They stood there as the sky darkened gently,waiting for night, peaceful, together till last.