The sky above Capriha wept gray. Clouds pressed down on the broken city, and the once-proud statue of Karah leaned half-shattered in the rubble. Gendai sat on the cold piles of stone, knees drawn close, emerald hair swaying in the breeze, her aura dimly glowing against the ruin like a faint ember refusing to die.
Sando's hand reached into her vision, firm but gentle. "Come on."
She hesitated only a moment before placing her hand in his. With surprising strength, he pulled her up from the wreckage. The world seemed to blur for a heartbeat as she looked into his eyes—golden, radiant, steady as if they carried the sun within them. She lost herself in them before breaking her gaze, flustered.
"...Thank you," she whispered softly, her voice almost trembling. "For looking out for me."
Sando smiled warmly. "It's no problem. It's my duty, after all… actually, no." He shook his head slightly, his tone shifting to sincerity. "This isn't duty. This is desire. I couldn't stand there and watch you fall. A girl who's been mistreated, cast aside—I know that pain. I couldn't let it devour you."
Her lips parted in surprise. Before she could reply, he added, "I've heard about you. You're the one who defeated that rogue high dragon."
Gendai blinked. "...Yes. That was me."
His smile widened with genuine admiration. "That's an incredible feat. You're strong, Gendai. Stronger than you think. And it matters that you stayed—fighting on humanity's side when it would've been easier to walk away."
The compliment should have lifted her, but instead she averted her gaze, her emerald glow flickering faintly. "Humanity is… all I have now. But I have to be stronger. Stronger than when everyone looked at me like I was nothing."
Sando nodded with certainty. "Then come with me. Train alongside me."
Her head snapped toward him, eyes widening. "Are you serious?"
"Yes." His golden eyes didn't waver. "I've never had anyone at my side before. But Solaris blessed me, gave me purpose, and… I feel like there's so much I can learn from you. And so much you can learn from me."
Something in his voice reached her. Slowly, she nodded. "Yes… I accept."
Above them, thunder rolled across the horizon. Sando tilted his head to the clouds. "Looks like it's about to rain. You should come with me—it isn't far."
"Sure," she said, brushing strands of green hair from her face.
They walked together until a modern, gleaming high-rise loomed against the fractured skyline. Sando opened the door to a luxurious apartment lit by soft lamps and polished wood floors.
Gendai froze in awe. "This… this looks like something out of a dream. It's so… extravagant."
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well… I am the new hero, after all. The government tends to spoil me."
She giggled, her laughter lightening the heavy air. "Must be nice to be a walking legend."
"Hey," he said, glancing at her with a grin. "Do you drink tea?"
Her lips curled into a genuine smile. "Yes, I do. Do you want some too, kind sir?"
He laughed. "Alright, have a seat. I'll make it."
Gendai sat at the counter, resting her chin against her arms while he moved through the kitchen. She watched him quietly, her thoughts swirling. What are the odds… that I'd meet someone like this? A man blessed by Solaris himself… someone so kind, so strong… so unbelievably human. It feels unreal.
He returned, placing the steaming cups down. "Here."
"Thank you," she said softly, fingers brushing his for a moment.
He sat beside her, stirring his tea. After a long pause, his voice lowered. "You know what I said earlier—about never having anyone at my side? There's more to it."
Her emerald eyes flicked toward him. "Hmm? If you're okay telling me… I'll listen."
Sando exhaled slowly, eyes fixed on the tea swirling in his cup. "I'm an orphan. My parents died before I even knew them. My mother was part of Azure Sky—a corrupt hunter organization. She quit to raise me. My father… didn't. When a Dynasty invaded, my mother tried to hold them off with what little strength she had. She died protecting me. My father found me under rubble."
Her breath caught, the emerald glow around her dimming with sympathy. "That's… terrifying."
He nodded. "He took me to my aunt that night. But he… killed himself. Couldn't bear losing her." His voice didn't shake, but his golden eyes dimmed. "My aunt raised me. She was all I had."
Gendai set her tea down, heart aching. "And now? Is she… proud of what you've become?"
Sando's jaw clenched, and he shook his head. "She died recently. The same day Kazimir nearly destroyed the world. Ostrava was caught in the chaos. The skies vanished—space itself bared down, wormholes raining thunder. Whole cities torn apart. She didn't survive it." He closed his eyes briefly, gripping his cup. "The next day… Solaris blessed me. Chose me. As if my entire life had been carved out for this one role: to face Kazimir. To be the hero this world needs… so no one else has to lose everything the way I did."
Tears welled in Gendai's eyes before she could stop them. She reached a hand toward him, voice trembling. "I'm so sorry… you lost so much. Your family, your home… everything."
He gave her a faint, reassuring smile. "It's alright. I'm just glad you listened."
Her thoughts swirled as she looked at him—the warmth in his golden eyes, the pain he carried yet refused to let break him. This man… he's really opening up to me. He didn't save me because of duty. He saved me because he didn't want me to fall into the same darkness he once knew.
She clutched her tea tightly, whispering to herself. I'm grateful… so grateful to have met you, Sando.
And for the first time in a long while, Gendai felt the flicker of hope.