Flashback — A Real Sky
The night was real back then.
No projections.
No crafted constellations.
Just an endless dark ocean scattered with distant fire.
Ruka sat on the wooden porch, the summer wind brushing her hair aside. Young Shura leaned against her arm, staring upward as if the stars might rearrange themselves if he looked long enough.
"Shura," she said softly, her voice almost blending with the crickets,
"Did you know… I love stars?"
He tilted his head.
"Why, Mom?"
She didn't look at him. Her gaze remained fixed on the sky.
"Because the night reminds me of someone you love. One day… you'll meet people like that."
Shura frowned slightly, thinking.
"Mom… who do you remember when you look at them?"
There was the smallest pause.
So small most wouldn't notice.
"A friend," she answered gently. "Someone I lost."
Shura blinked.
"You don't remember Father?"
This time she looked at him.
Not startled.
Just… aware.
"You're very sharp-minded, Shura."
Her hand rested on his head.
"I'm glad I'm with you."
The wind passed again.
The stars shimmered.
Present — The Festival
The artificial sky glowed above Aethelgard's underground expanse.
Perfect constellations.
Perfect placement.
Perfect illusion.
Shura stared at it in silence.
The darkness.
The scattered light.
The feeling.
For a second—
It almost felt real.
His vision blurred.
Orin elbowed him lightly.
"Oi. Don't tell me you're crying over my arrow technique."
Shura didn't respond.
Ren punched Orin in the shoulder.
"Read the room."
Orin blinked.
"…Oh."
Juro clapped once, loudly — intentionally breaking the weight in the air.
"Well! Since everyone's getting sentimental, I brought food."
The spell cracked.
Laughter returned — softer this time.
But something lingered.
Elsewhere — Far From the Lights
Beyond the festival's glow, beyond the music and warmth—
A figure stood chained against cold stone.
Wrists bound in layered restraints.
Heavy metal etched with sealing patterns.
Long hair shadowed half his face.
He looked upward.
Not at a real sky.
At Orin's projection.
A faint smile touched his lips.
For a moment—
His eyes weren't cold.
Then the chains shifted slightly.
And the warmth vanished.
Back at the Lake
The group settled near the water.
Lanterns floated gently across the surface. Golden reflections trembled with each ripple.
For the first time in days—
No collapsing arenas.
No relics going berserk.
No blades drawn.
Just breathing.
Shura inhaled slowly.
"Can I ask something?"
Zenkyou narrowed her eyes instinctively.
Juro lifted a hand.
"Let him."
Shura looked around at the city carved beneath the earth.
"It's… well managed."
He gestured lightly toward the distant districts.
"A world without a sky. But people laugh. They build. They celebrate."
He paused.
"I love the people here. The landscape. The feeling. It's… good."
Juro studied him carefully.
"I've trained many people," Juro said.
"They all shouted the same thing — 'Make me stronger.'"
Zenkyou side-eyed him.
"…Why do I feel attacked?"
A few chuckles circled the group.
Even Zenkyou's lips twitched.
Juro returned his gaze to Shura.
"And you?"
Shura's voice steadied.
"I'm not chasing strength because I'm desperate."
His eyes lifted toward the artificial stars.
"I have a purpose. But before power… I want understanding."
The lantern light reflected in his eyes.
"When I reach the peak—if I ever do…"
A faint smile.
"I don't want to look back and see only training. I want to remember the road. The people. The nights like this."
Silence followed.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… full.
Ren's usual sharp expression softened.
Yura watched Shura differently — as if measuring something deeper.
Even Zenkyou didn't interrupt.
Juro placed a hand on Shura's head.
"I've trained many people," he said quietly.
"But I didn't expect those words from someone your age."
A small smile.
"Alright. Before this turns philosophical — let's head back to the inn."
Yun Shi & Rose
They stepped away from the crowd, the music fading behind them.
Rose stretched slightly.
"You're surprisingly good at dancing."
Yun Shi smirked.
"I'm good at many things."
She winced mid-step.
"Oh—"
He caught her instantly.
"Cramp?"
"I can walk."
She tried.
Stopped.
"…I cannot walk."
Without hesitation, Yun Shi lifted her.
Effortless.
She blinked.
"You look heavier than you are."
Silence.
Rose's eyes slowly turned toward him.
"…Excuse me?"
He paused.
"…That came out incorrectly."
"Did you just call me fat?"
"No," he replied calmly. "You're balanced."
"That is not better."
He adjusted his grip.
"You're perfect."
Rose looked away.
"…Your personality during meetings and this personality cannot possibly belong to the same person."
"Is that praise?"
She hesitated.
"Pending review."
Dante & Jiyan
They stood near the water's edge.
Their reflections shimmered together.
Jiyan tilted his head.
"We actually look like a couple."
Dante's eye twitched.
"It's already bad enough I turned into a girl. Don't make it worse."
Jiyan leaned closer dramatically.
"If someone that attractive stands beside me? I'll gladly sacrifice my pride."
He began kneeling theatrically.
Dante grabbed his collar instantly.
"Finish that sentence."
He laughed and wrapped an arm around her instead.
"You're terrifying."
"You're alive because I allow it."
She didn't push him away immediately.
And he noticed.
Final Image
The artificial stars dimmed slightly.
Golden beams pulsed once… twice…
Lanterns drifted.
Laughter softened.
Music became distant.
For one night—
No battles.
No schemes.
No relics awakening.
No collapsing structures.
They simply existed.
Under a borrowed sky.
And for a fragile moment—
It was enough.