The valley was peaceful again.
Too peaceful.
After the eight-hour battle that had turned the ruined city into a graveyard of shattered stone and scorched earth, silence now felt unnatural—like the world itself was holding its breath, afraid that Lunaria might explode into chaos once more.
The waterfall still roared in the distance.
The warm breeze still carried mist through the air.
But everything had changed.
Inside the house the system provided, the atmosphere was… different.
Not tense.
Not hostile.
Just heavy.
The kind of heaviness that came after surviving something you weren't sure you deserved to survive.
Ash sat on the balcony railing, staring into the orange sky as the sun sank behind the distant cliffs. His arms rested on his knees, fingers loosely clasped, but his mind was far from calm.
He could still see it.
Lunaria's pitch-black hair.
That abyssal aura.
That voice:
You started it… and you'll be the ones to end it.
Ash swallowed.
He had never been more afraid of someone.
And never more attached.
Behind him, the sliding door opened softly.
Bare footsteps.
Ash didn't turn.
He already knew.
"…You're awake," Ash murmured.
Lunaria stepped out, wearing only a loose shirt that slipped off one shoulder, his silver hair returned to its original brilliance, flowing down his back like moonlight reborn.
His expression was calm.
Too calm.
Ash finally looked at him.
"You don't look tired at all."
Lunaria blinked once.
"I am tired."
Ash scoffed weakly. "You almost killed half the guild masters."
"They were slow."
"That's not the point!"
Lunaria tilted his head, watching Ash with that quiet, unreadable gaze.
"…You're angry."
Ash froze.
Then he laughed bitterly.
"I don't even know what I am."
Lunaria stepped closer.
Ash stood up abruptly, turning fully to face him.
"You said training ended."
"Yes."
"You said we were done."
"Yes."
"And yet I still feel like—like we're standing on the edge of something huge."
Lunaria's eyes softened slightly.
"We are."
Ash clenched his fists.
"What are you, Lunaria?"
Silence.
The waterfall filled the gap.
For a moment, Ash thought Lunaria wouldn't answer.
Then—
"I don't know."
Ash's breath caught.
Lunaria looked away, gaze drifting toward the stars beginning to appear.
"I remember pain."
"I remember hunger."
"I remember waking up in places I should not have survived."
His voice was quiet.
Flat.
As if he was reading someone else's story.
"And I remember… being angry."
Ash's throat tightened.
"You're not a monster."
Lunaria looked back at him.
"Then why does everyone tremble when I exist?"
Ash stepped forward.
"Because they don't understand you."
Lunaria's lips parted slightly.
"And you do?"
Ash hesitated.
Then—
"I want to."
The words came out raw.
Honest.
Lunaria stared at him.
The air between them shifted.
Not like killing intent.
Not like power.
Something else.
Something warmer.
Something dangerous in a different way.
Ash exhaled shakily.
"…We've been sleeping in each other's rooms."
Lunaria blinked.
"Yes."
Ash rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed.
"It started as… comfort."
Lunaria's gaze lowered slightly.
"And now?"
Ash's face reddened.
"Now it feels like I can't sleep unless you're there."
The confession hung in the air like a blade.
Lunaria stepped closer.
"So… you're dependent."
Ash flinched.
"Is that bad?"
Lunaria's voice dropped.
"No."
He raised a hand slowly, fingers brushing Ash's cheek.
"It's human."
Ash leaned into the touch before he could stop himself.
Lunaria watched him closely.
"You always look at me like you're afraid I'll disappear."
Ash swallowed hard.
"I'm afraid you'll leave."
Silence.
Then Lunaria whispered—
"I won't."
Ash's eyes widened.
"…You won't?"
Lunaria nodded once.
"I don't know what I am."
"But I know what you are."
Ash's breath trembled.
"What?"
Lunaria's fingers slid down to Ash's jaw, tilting his face upward.
"You are the reason I stop."
Ash's heart slammed.
The world blurred.
Ash's voice cracked.
"Lunaria…"
Lunaria leaned in.
This time, the kiss was not sudden.
Not stolen.
It was slow.
Intentional.
Warm.
Ash melted into it immediately, arms wrapping around Lunaria's waist as if holding him was the only way to keep reality steady.
Lunaria's lips pressed deeper, lingering, tasting like quiet longing and restraint breaking apart.
When they finally separated, Ash's forehead rested against Lunaria's.
Both breathing hard.
Ash whispered—
"You're getting better at this."
Lunaria's eyes half-lidded.
"I'm learning."
Ash smiled shakily.
"…Good."
Behind them—
A loud cough.
Ash froze.
Lunaria didn't move.
They both turned slowly.
Kael stood in the doorway, arms crossed, expression blank.
Beside him, Riven leaned against the frame with a grin.
Juno, as always, looked mildly disappointed in everyone.
Kael spoke flatly.
"We were going to ask if anyone wanted dinner."
Riven smirked.
"But clearly you're busy consuming each other."
Ash nearly combusted.
"GET OUT!"
Juno sighed.
"You two are worse than teenagers."
Kael turned away.
"Just don't destroy the house."
Riven winked.
"And if you do, at least warn us so we can place bets."
The door slid shut.
Ash covered his face.
"I'm going to die."
Lunaria's eyes shimmered faintly.
"You won't."
Ash peeked through his fingers.
"…Why are you smiling?"
Lunaria touched his own lips thoughtfully.
"Because it feels…"
He paused.
Then quietly—
"Peaceful."
Ash's chest tightened.
For someone who embodied chaos…
That word meant everything.
The night deepened.
The waterfall roared.
And in the quiet after the storm…
For the first time—
Lunaria was not running.
He was staying.
And somewhere far beyond the valley…
Something watched.
Something ancient.
Something that remembered the abyss.
And now…
It remembered him.