The salty breeze drifted in from the sea, carrying with it the cries of seagulls and the soft lapping of waves against the port. The morning sun rose slowly over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink.
Everyone stood at the dock—Jasmine, Sol, Ryker, Izumi, Tatsuya, Celica, Yumi, Akira, Aisa, King, Shin, Amelia, Hiroshi, Arisu, Saki, and Mio—lined up and facing the ship that would take them away from this island and toward their next chapter.
Sol stretched his arms and let out a breath.
"Finally," he said with a small grin. "We're going."
Izumi nodded beside him, eyes on the calm sea.
"Yeah. This is the end."
Ryker stood a few steps ahead, his coat fluttering gently in the wind. He turned to face the group.
"No," he said quietly, but firmly. "This isn't the end… It's just the end of one battle. A new one is always waiting."
Aisa looked up at him, her expression calm, thoughtful.
"Whatever comes next," she said, "we'll face it together."
Yumi adjusted her hair and smiled. "Right. We've come this far. No turning back now."
Celica laughed lightly, her arms crossed.
"We've been through death, gods, and ghosts. I doubt a ship ride will stop us."
The group chuckled softly, tension melting as the sun warmed their backs. Shin, quieter than usual, looked around at the friends—no, the family—they had become.
"Let's go home," he said.
They all nodded.
One by one, they stepped onto the ship. Wind in their hair. Determination in their hearts. Behind them was darkness, loss, and a haunting silence.
But ahead of them—was the light of something new.
The ship gently rocked as it sailed across the open sea, the sound of waves soothing but the silence between them deeper than the ocean.
Aisa sat alone near the railing, her long hair swaying in the breeze. A fresh bandage wrapped around her neck, still faintly stained. Her gaze was distant, staring at the endless water.
Footsteps approached.
She didn't need to look. She already knew who it was.
"Aisa," Ryker said softly.
She looked up, surprised to see him so close. "Hmm?"
He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" She blinked, confused. "For what?"
"For biting you… when I lost control," he admitted, his voice low and heavy with guilt.
Aisa shook her head gently. "You weren't yourself. It wasn't your fault."
"But still," Ryker said, clenching his fists. "I hate that I hurt you. I should've been stronger, controlled myself better."
Aisa's lips curled into a small smile. "If you really want to apologize... give me a Christmas gift."
Ryker blinked, caught off guard. "A Christmas gift?"
She nodded, her smile widening. "Then I'll forgive you."
He let out a soft chuckle, the tension in his shoulders easing. "Alright. I'll find you the best one."
They shared a quiet moment, the sea breeze carrying away the heaviness that had hung between them.
On the other side of the ship, Sol and Yumi leaned against the railing, watching the waves ripple gently beneath the moonlight.
"Hey, Sol," Yumi said softly, breaking the calm silence.
"Hm?" Sol turned to look at her, the corners of his lips twitching into a small smile.
"What's your plan for Christmas?" she asked, tilting her head with a teasing glint in her eyes.
Sol chuckled quietly. "Christmas is coming soon... I'm thinking about going on a Christmas date."
Yumi crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Tch, you mean you don't actually have any plans yet, right?"
Sol scratched his neck, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Well… I do have something in mind, but it's not set in stone."
"Come on, you're lying," Yumi grinned, nudging him playfully. "Don't keep it a secret from me."
Sol laughed, a warm sound that blended with the sea breeze. "Okay, okay. Maybe it's still a surprise."
Yumi smiled softly and looked out at the horizon. "I guess I should start thinking about my plans too."
"Maybe we could spend Christmas together," Sol suggested quietly.
Yumi turned to him, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Really?"
Sol nodded, still smiling. "Yeah. It wouldn't be the same without you."
For a moment, the world felt still — just the two of them, the vast sea, and the promise of a special Christmas ahead.
They arrived.
The ship creaked as it docked, the sound of waves gently lapping against the wooden hull. A breeze swept through the early morning air, carrying the salty scent of the sea.
Jasmine was the first to step off, her boots landing softly on the old wooden pier. Sol followed right behind her, stretching his arms with a groan.
"Finally," Sol said, his voice carrying relief. "Land. I almost forgot what it felt like."
"Drama queen," Yumi muttered, brushing past him with her bag slung over her shoulder.
One by one, the others stepped off the ship—Ryker, quiet and calm, followed by Izumi, Tatsuya, Celica, Akira, King, Shin, Amelia, Hiroshi, Arisu, Saki, Mio, and finally Aisa, whose movements were slower, more careful. Her neck was still bandaged, and fatigue clung to her like a shadow.
No one was there to welcome them. The port was silent, empty, as if the island itself had been holding its breath, waiting for their return.
Ryker looked around. "Strange. No one came."
"It's still early," Jasmine said. "Maybe they don't know we're back yet."
"That, or we surprised them by not dying," Shin added dryly.
Aisa stepped off the ship last. As her foot touched the dock, she stumbled slightly. Ryker was there instantly, catching her arm.
"You alright?" he asked.
She gave a small nod. "Just a little dizzy."
Ryker steadied her, then looked toward the island path. "Let's go home."
And without needing to say another word, the group began walking—quiet, tired, but alive. The battle was over. For now.
Return to the Guild
The heavy guild doors creaked open, sunlight spilling into the hall. Heads turned. Conversations died.
Ryker stepped through first, calm as always, followed by Sol, Jasmine, Izumi, and the rest. Aisa walked in the center, her neck wrapped in a clean bandage, her eyes downcast. Dust from battle still clung to their boots, but there was something heavier in the air—like they'd returned from more than just a mission.
Gasps echoed quietly through the hall.
"They're back..."
"No way, they actually made it?"
"Wait... is that the girl who—?"
From the upper floor, a sharp voice cut through the murmurs.
"You kept me waiting," came the calm but commanding tone of Guild Leader Shidou Shiranui, descending the steps. His long black coat fluttered behind him, and his sharp silver eyes scanned the group like a hawk sizing up returning warriors.
Ryker approached, pulling a sealed scroll from his coat. "Mission complete. The Ice Goddess has been stopped."
Shidou took the scroll, but his eyes didn't leave them. "Casualties?"
Ryker shook his head. "None."
Sol added, more quietly, "But… there were scars."
Shidou's gaze landed on Aisa. She looked away.
He sighed and tucked the scroll under his arm. "We'll go over the full report later. For now, rest. You've earned it."
There was a pause. Then—
A slow wave of quiet applause began. Some clapped. Some bowed their heads. Some just stared—half respect, half disbelief.
Celica let out a breath. "Feels strange… coming back alive."
"It always does," said King.
Aisa glanced up at the massive guild emblem above the desk. Her hand brushed the edge of her bandage.
Ryker leaned closer. "You're still here. That's what matters."
She gave a tiny nod.
Shidou turned away but added, without looking back, "Ryker, Sol. I want that report by sundown."
"We'll deliver it," Izumi answered in their place.
The doors closed behind them. The sound echoed.
A long silence.
Then—
Shin stretched with a groan. "Can we please eat something now?"
They all chuckled. After everything... that was the most human thing any of them had heard in days.