16

A soft orange glow bathed the camp from afar, casting long shadows as a man stood alone on a hill. His eyes lingered on the armored men below, their laughter carried on the wind as they enjoyed each other's company. Some stood watch, others lounged, waiting for sleep to overtake them. The scene was peaceful, almost serene, but he felt the weight of the night pressing down on him.

"There you are," a serene voice broke the silence, warm and soothing. A woman with obsidian-black hair cascading over her shoulders approached, her laughter soft like a melody. She reached out, her slender fingers entwining with his. The touch was comforting, grounding him in the moment.

"Seraphina," he whispered, his voice tinged with gratitude as he squeezed her hand, seeking the warmth she offered. "Thank you... for being here with me. I don't know how I'd manage this large of an army without you."

Seraphina shook her head, her expression tender as she placed a hand on his cheek, rising on her tiptoes to press a gentle kiss to his face. "Don't thank me. I'm just happy you're finally relying on me... on us."

He nodded, a heavy sigh escaping him as he lifted his gaze to the sky. The full silver moon bathed them in its glow, a sea of stars shining brightly above. For a brief moment, all his worries seemed to fade, replaced by the quiet peace of this shared moment. He turned to Seraphina, his eyes filled with nothing but affection.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief, her lips parting in a sweet laugh that echoed in his mind. Her smile, brighter than the moon and stars above, was a beacon in the darkness. But as he held her gaze, shadows began to creep in, the vivid night sky and soft emerald grass around them dissolving into the cold, jagged walls of a cavern.

Suddenly, the harsh sound of steel clashing against steel, mingled with cries of pain, filled his ears. But all he could focus on was the searing pain in his chest. His eyes widened in horror as he looked at Seraphina, her smile still in place but now stained with blood. Their lips parted for the last time, a dark spear jutting out from her back, piercing through her body and into his.

"I... love you," she whispered, tears streaming down her face as her bloodied hand slowly slipped from his cheek. Desperation clawed at him as he reached out to keep her close, but he could only watch as her hand went limp, the life fading from her eyes.

---

The young boy stared at the crimson wall before him, the vivid memory of the vision haunting him, the metallic taste of iron still lingering on his tongue. His gaze shifted to the girl in front of him—Seraphina—who was now staring back at him, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern.

"Choose your words carefully, boy!" Ignatius's voice boomed, filled with outrage. His gloved hands outstretched as mana began to condense at his palms, threatening to erupt. "What makes you think you can throw such careless words around? Have you no tact!?"

"C-calm down!" Alcor groaned, struggling to push Ignatius's hand away from his son. "L-Let him try. Aria said he has a lot of potential. Maybe he knows a way and can help in the future!" He pleaded, trying to appeal to his friend's logic. Ignatius glared at him but slowly retracted his arm, only to freeze at the boy's next words.

"No," the boy declared, stepping forward with unwavering resolve. He stretched out his hand, the tiny goddess hopping down from his head and into his palm. "I'll help her now." His voice was calm, confident as he approached Seraphina, who tilted her head to get a clearer look at him.

With a gentle smile, he closed his eyes, ignoring the enraged shouts of Ignatius and his father's attempts to calm the man. His hand rested on Seraphina's chest, his heart steady despite the tension in the air.

"Goddess... please, use my body to help her," he pleaded, his voice filled with quiet determination. The goddess looked at the boy with a wry smile, nodding as she settled into his hand.

"Very well," she said softly, and a pale blue light began to glow from her tiny form. It coursed through the boy's outstretched arm, connecting their hearts with a string that pulsed with life.

"What..." Ignatius muttered in disbelief, his anger dissipating as he watched the strands of light stretch from Seraphina's heart, branching out through her petite frame. A faint golden light began to merge with the blue, disappearing as it was absorbed into the growing orb inside her heart, changing its color to a radiant gold.

A sigh escaped the boy's lips as the blue light began to recede from Seraphina's body, returning to his own before fading out completely. He took a step back, the goddess leaping back to her usual spot on his head. Together, they waited, their breaths held in anticipation.

Slowly, Seraphina blinked, her tiny hand reaching up to hold her head as a wave of dizziness washed over her. But that small movement was enough. A smile broke across the boy's face as he glanced back at the two men behind him—Alcor, still staring in disbelief, and Ignatius, lost in thought.

"You..." Seraphina whispered, her voice soft as she stared at the boy with wide, cerulean eyes filled with shock and warmth. Her gaze bore into his soul, searching for answers, trying to understand what had just happened. Seeing her confusion, the boy chuckled, reaching out to gently pat her head, a bright smile lighting up his face.

"A penny for your thoughts?" he asked, his voice teasing. Seraphina snapped out of her trance, her lips curving into a small, shy smile—a smile that even her father had never seen before.