— The Awakening of Sacred Light —
Aarav's body lay encased in hardened concrete amid the rubble.
Mira knelt beside him, her hands trembling, her eyes hollowed by a sorrow too deep for tears.
She remembered the joy just days ago—Arav's smile as he tirelessly helped the villagers rebuild the bridge, his laughter carrying across the river, the warmth of his hand in hers. It felt like the world could always be repaired if he was there.
And then came the nightmare—Arav's transformation. The man she loved, now a black-soul demon, his eyes burning crimson as he butchered the village that had once cheered for him.
Only she had survived, frozen among the corpses, her screams swallowed by the void.
She had fought against despair, fought to survive, and now knelt amid the ruins of everything she had known.
Eren let out a soft sigh. "Mira," he murmured,
"Aarav wanted me to tell you... he is free from his pain now. He wanted you to keep living."
Her body quivered. A faint, golden flicker kindled in her once-lifeless gaze.
Memories of Aarav kindness, his courage, and the love they shared surged through her.
"I will live... " she thought, clinging to the thought like a lifeline. "I will carry him with me. I won't let his suffering be in vain. I will bring good into this world... I will atone."
A warmth spread from her chest, a fragile hope threading through her grief. The fear, the sorrow, the rage—they all swirled, but beneath it, something unshakable had taken root: a resolve. Mira clenched her fists, feeling the pulse of life and purpose return.
Then, something miraculous happened—
A soft, holy, white light blossomed from within her. It flowed like clear spring water, washing away the filth around, filling the ruins with a gentle warmth and stillness. Like a beacon in the deepest dark, it pushed back the shadows and lit a fragile kind of hope.
"What... is this?" Eren stared, astonished. Bathed in the glow, his mind grew calm, the very air seeming to clear.
Others gathered, drawn by the radiance. Even Eupheron was moved. He circled Mira slowly, eyes wide with awe. "Remarkable... To awaken Sacred Light after such grief and realization."
"Sacred Light?" Eren asked.
Eupheron stroked his beard, explaining gravely, "It dispels darkness, purifies corruption, and guards the heart from falling into shadow. It can also become a force of pure Yang to strike down evil and compel repentance. This light is both a blessing and a covenant."
Eren turned to Mira with a gentle smile. "Mira, congratulations. You wanted to do good, yes? Now with Sacred Light within you, you can use it to protect the innocent and cleanse wickedness."
Mira gazed blankly at the luminous energy flowing around her, her mind a tempest of fear, grief, and yet—an unyielding determination.
"I have seen what evil can do... I have felt the weight of loss and the sting of helplessness.
But I have also felt his love, his sacrifice. I will not let this light fade. I will teach, I will guide, I will bring hope to those who have none. I will turn my pain into purpose."
"Don't be afraid," Eren said softly. "If you don't know how to wield it... join the Vigil-Wyrm Order."
"Miss Mira," Nadia stepped forward, her usually cold and beautiful face softening slightly. "On behalf of the Vigil-Wyrm Order, I welcome you."
Mira bit her lip, her eyes shifting from Eren to Nadia, then to the watching faces around her. She felt the weight of responsibility, yet also the first bloom of clarity since the nightmare began. Finally, she gave a faint nod, her voice steady.
"Alright... I will."
— The Invitation —
Nadia's gaze turned to Eren.
Her eyes held an unprecedented gravity.
"Eren... I now formally invite you, on behalf of the Vigil-Wyrm Order, to join us."
The air grew still.
Eren remained silent. His heart thudded loudly in his chest. Almost instinctively, he looked toward Aveline.
Aveline read the conflict in his eyes and stepped forward, her voice firm. "Eren, as your warden, and as someone who fought beside you—I support this."
She paused, her tone softening just slightly, yet piercing. "Prison doesn't have to be your end."
"Come on, Eren!" Cael burst out, his round face eager. "What's there to think about? Fighting together would be amazing! Your silver threads and my... well, my future sword skills—we'd be unstoppable!"
Eupheron chuckled and clapped Cael's shoulder. "Boy, true 'elite' isn't about talent. It's about having the courage to lay down your life for others. The Order needs that spirit."
Ethan added pragmatically, "Here, you can find a place to belong. And maybe... find the truth you seek."
Their words flowed into Eren like warm currents, washing against the walls of ice and isolation he'd built inside.
He looked around at the faces—familiar, sincere—of those who had struggled beside him in the miasma, who had supported each other in desperate moments. Here, for the first time, he had felt trust and camaraderie that went beyond labels.
The Vigil-Wyrm Order—once a distant, cold concept—now felt different. No longer just an institution, but a place that might truly accept him, where he could be of use.
But...
Would the path ahead truly be so bright?
Could this invitation really help him clear his name?
The weight of the future wrestled fiercely with the fragile warmth of the present within him.
Finally, he took a deep breath, met their collective gaze, and nodded solemnly.
"I'll join."