In the Corridor
Ryker walked steadily down the narrow, dark corridor, his arms carrying Aisa gently. Her face was flushed red, still not used to the closeness, but she stayed quiet—until curiosity got the better of her.
"Ryker…" she said softly, looking up at him, "can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, of course," he replied, glancing down briefly.
"How did Kael… possess your body?"
Ryker's steps slowed. "Ah… hmm…" he mumbled, clearly struggling to find the words. "That's… hard to explain."
"Tell me," Aisa insisted, narrowing her eyes a bit.
Ryker sighed. "There was no Kael. I was acting like him. There was no possession."
"W-What?!" Aisa's eyes widened, completely shocked. "You mean… it was all acting?! And Eira didn't notice?!"
He gave a small nod. "Yeah."
Aisa clenched her fists. "And then you stabbed yourself—just to protect me?! Why would you do something so reckless?!"
Ryker looked forward, his expression unreadable. "Because I knew the Ice Goddess would heal me. And… I'm your team leader. It's my responsibility to protect you."
Aisa stared at him for a moment, then muttered, "Idiot…"
Ryker chuckled at her response. "You know… you're heavy."
Aisa's face turned red again. "That's your choice. I didn't ask you to carry me."
"Yeah, yeah," Ryker said with a small smile.
Then, suddenly, Aisa turned serious. "And listen—never ask a girl questions like that again. Ever."
"I'll remember that," Ryker said quickly, chuckling. "Sorry."
They both laughed softly, the tension melting just a bit as the corridor grew quieter.
But then—a small rustling sound echoed in the distance.
A shadow darted across the floor.
A tiny mouse scurried from the wall.
"G-GHOST!!" Aisa screamed, gripping Ryker's neck tightly and burying her face into his shoulder.
Ryker stumbled a little from her sudden grip, eyes wide. "…That's a mouse."
"I DON'T CARE!" she yelled, refusing to look.
Ryker sighed, shaking his head with a smile as he kept walking—still holding her close.
"You really fear ghosts, huh?" Ryker said with a small grin. "You actually believe in them?"
"I-I fear all of that stuff," Aisa mumbled, still clinging to his neck. "Ghosts, curses… dark creepy places… all of it."
Ryker chuckled. "Yeah, okay. I'll keep that in mind."
Her grip loosened a little, and her head gently rested on his shoulder. Her breathing slowed. Ryker glanced down.
"Aisa…? Ai—" he stopped mid-word, realizing she had fallen asleep.
"…She fell asleep," he muttered softly, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
The corridor was quiet again, lit only by the faint flicker of distant torches. Ryker continued walking, carrying her through the shadows with steady steps.
And then—finally—they reached the exit.
He pushed the old wooden door open with his foot, the hinges creaking faintly.
Outside, the moonlight touched their faces.
Aisa slept peacefully in his arms, and for a brief moment… everything felt calm.
Ryker stepped out from the darkness of the old well, the silver light of the moon casting long shadows behind him. Aisa rested quietly in his arms.
Standing nearby, the others were already gathered—Jasmine, Sol, Izumi, Tasuya, King, Shin, Amelia, Hiroshi, Arisu, Saki, Mio… all waiting.
"R–Ryker! And… Aisa?" Yumi's voice cracked with relief. "They're back!"
Everyone rushed forward.
"Need a hand?" King asked, stepping closer.
"Yeah," Ryker nodded. "She's just asleep."
He carefully handed Aisa over to King, who took her gently.
Sol stepped up, arms crossed. "Are you… alive?"
Ryker raised an eyebrow. "What, you want me dead?"
"That's not what I meant," Sol muttered.
"Then what did you mean?" Ryker's voice was calm, but sharp.
"I just asked because we're friends," Sol said.
Ryker narrowed his eyes. "When you beat me down, didn't feel much like friendship."
"Alright, alright—no more fighting," Izumi interrupted, stepping between them. "Let's just get back. We've been through too much already."
Everyone quieted.
Jasmine exhaled. "Let's go back to the island."
No more arguments. No more tension. Just tired feet and heavy hearts.
Together, they turned toward the forest trail, heading home—carrying the weight of their battle, their memories… and a sleeping girl who had been saved.
Back at Saori's Home
The house was quiet.
Saori stood by the door, her hands clenched together, eyes fixed on the narrow path outside. The soft light of paper lanterns lit the porch, casting gentle flickers on her worried face.
Behind her, Huzur sat at the low table, his fingers slowly tapping against a warm cup of tea that had long gone cold. He looked up, eyes filled with the same silent question.
"Do you think they're okay?" Saori asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Huzur looked at her, then toward the path. "If Ryker is with them… they'll return."
She bit her lip. "But it's been too long."
"They've faced worse," Huzur said, though even his voice held a thread of doubt.
Just then—footsteps.
Lots of them.
Saori's breath caught in her chest. She stepped off the porch, rushing into the yard. Lanterns swayed in the wind as shadows approached.
And then—
"Ryker!!" she called.
"Saori!" Jasmine's voice answered back.
One by one, they came into view. Ryker walked at the front, his coat torn, face tired, but his eyes steady. Beside him were Sol, Izumi, Tasuya, King, Shin, Amelia, Hiroshi, Saki, Arisu, Mio—and King was carrying Aisa, peacefully asleep in his arms.
"They're back…" Saori whispered.
She ran forward and threw her arms around Ryker. "You idiot. You made us worry."
Ryker blinked, then smiled softly. "Sorry. Got a bit… cold down there."
Huzur stepped outside, his stern face slowly softening. "Welcome back."
The group entered the house one by one. Saori rushed to prepare tea and blankets. Huzur helped lay Aisa gently on a futon.
No one spoke about the fight.
Not yet.
But the warmth of the home, the scent of food being reheated, and the sound of old wooden floors creaking beneath tired feet made one thing clear—
They had made it back.
And for now…
That was enough.
Morning
The morning sun spilled through the windows, casting soft golden light into the room. Everyone sat gathered—tired, quiet, but alert.
Shin leaned forward, arms resting on his knees. His voice broke the silence.
"Where is the Ice Goddess?" he asked. "If you both came back… does that mean she's still out there?"
Ryker, sitting beside Aisa, shook his head slowly.
"No," he said. "She's not coming back."
There was a pause. Then Ryker lifted his hand and pointed at Aisa.
"Because… she's already here."
The room fell into a stunned silence.
Sol narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Ryker looked at everyone, then at Aisa. His voice was steady.
"Aisa is her vessel. The Ice Goddess didn't vanish—she fused with her. Aisa is the Ice Princess."
Everyone froze. Even Aisa herself looked shaken, as if hearing it said aloud made it all real.
"I…" Aisa's voice trembled. "I don't remember everything, but… I can feel it. A part of her is still inside me."
"So she's… living in you?" Mio asked quietly.
"Not exactly," Ryker said. "The goddess's will has faded, but her power… remains. It's now a part of Aisa. Like it always was meant to be."
King exhaled deeply. "Then… you were born for this?"
Aisa looked down at her hands. They were trembling.
"I don't know what I was born for anymore," she whispered. "But I know who I want to be."
Ryker placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
"You're not her. You're you. And that's enough."
Everyone sat in silence, absorbing the truth.
Then Sol spoke up again, softer this time.
"So… what happens now?"
Ryker looked at the faces around him—friends, family, comrades.
"Now?" he said. "Now we train. We prepare. Because Aisa's not the only one with something powerful inside. And I have a feeling this was just the beginning."
Aisa looked at him—and for the first time since returning from the well, she smiled.