After Sylpha's question, a brief moment of silence reigned.
The fire crackled gently, in an almost soothing rhythm, illuminating the tired but smiling faces of the gathered companions. Around them, songs rose and laughter, soldiers feasting and a sea of tents extending to the shore that separated them from the Forest of a Thousand Wonders.
The stars, often hidden by the purple clouds, had timidly shown themselves that evening. As if they too wanted to offer a grain of hope to this world in ruins. It was a suspended moment, where the heroes finally put down their weapons, even for a moment, while the soldiers were celebrating, despite the death at their doors.
Kaelis, his eyes fixed on the flames, was the first to answer under the influence of alcohol:
"Me? I think I will return to the west continent. There is an important person for me there, and I really want to see her again," he said in a soft and charismatic voice, a smile on his lips.
After his words, everyone looked at him, surprised. They had never seen him in this state.
Sylpha sketched a sneaky smile, determined to take advantage of Kaelis' drunkenness to ask him all the questions he usually refused to answer.
"Hey Kaelis, by chance, this person you're talking about... wouldn't it be the young hostel manager on the west continent?" She said, in a mischievous tone.
Kaelis' face, illuminated by the dancing light of the fire, was troubled for a moment. With the help of alcohol, he answered without a filter:
"You're right, Sylpha. She recently sent me a message... thanks to the communication tool made by Valen. "
"She told me that she was expecting our child. So if I survive... I want to go back there, see our child's face... and maybe, finally, confess my feelings to his face," he said with a slight smile.
Surprised by his own words, he stood up abruptly, rubbing the back of his skull, embarrassed to have said all this. He added, almost reluctantly:
"Well... I think I've said enough. I am going to sleep. Good night everyone. And above all... please, let's survive the hell that awaits us." he said in a calm tone.
He waved his hand and walked away, one hand in his pocket and his coat floating in the night breeze.
He then went to one of the tents. The eyes followed him, frozen, shocked. No one expected such a revelation: Kaelis, future father? And above all, this gentle attitude... so opposed to his usual coldness.
"Is my ears playing tricks on me or did Kaelis really just tell us that he was going to be a dad?" Valen said, in shock, letting a sip of alcohol escape from his mouth.
A light laugh escaped Raiden.
"No wonder coming from Kaelis. We all know that he has always been shy in love... but it's reassuring to see him finally find someone," he said smiling, before taking a sip.
"You're right. It's reassuring to see him like that... But hiding from us that he was going to become a father is not very cool," sighed Sylpha, slightly amused.
Raiden then stared at her, looking thoughtful.
"And you, Sylpha? What will you do if you survive? "
She looked up at the sky, observing the bright stars through the purple clouds.
"Me too... I will probably go to the west continent. After eliminating the dragon god and all the great threats, we received titles of nobility. I would like to go and enjoy life," she said in a soft voice, a slight smile on her lips.
"You could stay here. I can even make you archduchess of my empire," Raiden proposed calmly.
"Thank you for the offer, but as you know... the four of us, we can't compete with you once you fight seriously. And I don't want my descendants to grow up in the shadow of yours, and that over time, they develop a grudge against them. "
"Your children have a terrifying ability to adapt and evolve, Raiden... Aryna is proof of that," she says in a calm tone.
After her words, they all turned their eyes to the girl, dancing further, light and laughing, surrounded by soldiers who formed a circle around her. The flames of torches and the warrior songs accompanying his dance.
"That's why I want to leave. I want to raise my children elsewhere, to allow them to grow freely... and build healthy relationships with yours," she added, staring at the fire, the smile always present.
Raiden, sitting on a log, mug in hand, watched the flames dance, the air lost in his thoughts.
"It's right, Sylpha... Aryna is growing up too fast," he said in a fatherly tone.
"She was born in the middle of the war. She had to grow up fast to survive. I know she has the potential to surpass me one day... That's precisely why I didn't want her to come to this battle. But in the face of his tenacity... what could I do?" He added, sighing with a small smile.
"We five received divine stigmas from the Supreme God to defeat Yshvar. And our descendants will also inherit this. "
Raiden remained silent for a moment, the flames dancing in his eyes. He tightened his grip on the mug, then breathed slowly.
"Our children will inherit the stigmas... And that's where I worry. "
Everyone turned to him. He didn't raise his voice, but he spoke with a deep tone.
"The powers we have received from the supreme God... currently are blessings that we have received. But in the future, this may be the cause of several conflicts... "
He lowered his head, thoughtful.
"If our families stay too close... if they grow up in the same territory, sooner or later, there will be conflicts. Rivalries will be born, ambitions too. And one day, the stigmas could cross no longer to defend humanity... but to make war with each other. "
Silence fell on the circle.
"So maybe you're right, you and Kaelis. Moving away... letting our families evolve separately, on different continents... This is perhaps the best solution. They will be able to maintain good relations, and if another danger arises, they will even be able to fight hand in hand as we do today," he said in a calm tone.
He raised his head, his gaze crossing everyone's.
"But before that, we have to survive tomorrow... and if all goes well... I want our families to stay connected. Probably create a tradition, an annual meeting... so that our families never forget that they were linked," he said with a slight smile on his lips.
"Otherwise, Garran, Valen... And you? What will you do if you survive tomorrow?" He said in a calm tone while taking a sip.
Garran, who was quietly chewing a piece of meat by the fire, looked up, his face marked by scars from the fights, but always animated by this joy of life and quiet brute force.
"Me? I would look for my people. I learned that he had crossed the snowy valley to the north, so I would look for them. I still have an old debt to settle. The one who taught me my martial arts before I became a hero. I want to be able to thank him for everything, because it is thanks to him that I find myself here." he said with a smile on his lips.
He laughed lightly and said:
"And also why not create a sanctuary... a place where those who want to control the voice of body and mind will meet. Well, if your kids want to learn to fight without magic or sword... you will know where to send them," he said, snickering slightly.
Raiden smiled slightly, then turned his gaze to Valen.
"And you Valen?" He said calmly.
The blond mage, sitting on a log, contemplated the stars. He rarely talked about his post-war plans.
"I... I would like to travel. Discover and unravel the mysteries on the ancient ruins of the lost island. "
"I feel that its ruins can teach me a lot about magic and the history of the gods," he said in a soft and calm voice.
He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again smiling.
"But if you organize these meetings, count on me to always be present. And I will offer you the most beautiful fireworks in the world," he said with a warm smile.
Raiden smiled slightly and said:
"We really can't prevent a magician's curiosity... each of us will take different paths, but it reassures me to know that we will always remain linked. "
He raised his mug towards the sky.
"So let's celebrate, as it should be. Without worrying about the next day," he said with a warm smile on his lips.
"Without worrying about the next day huh?" Sylpha whispered slightly.
She closed her eyes for a moment and said:
"No matter what happens... I'm happy to live such moments with you," she said with a slight smile on her lips.
"For me too, his moments are precious to me," says Garran, in a soft and hoarse voice.
"You're absolutely right Garran," added Raiden, smiling.
Valen then raised his mug, higher.
"Let's celebrate the most beautiful evening of our lives," he said with a tender smile.
After his words, they all toasted and started drinking. Only Kaelis was missing, already gone to sleep.
The fire continued to burn, throwing small sparks towards the heavens, gently warming their hearts.
A few moments later, Sylpha got up slowly, a little flickering under the influence of alcohol. She bypassed the fire, and approached Raiden.
She held out her hand, her eyes shining with a discreet glow.
"Hey Raiden... will you give me one last dance?" She asked with a tender and warm smile.
As she reached out to Raiden, she thought:
"I've loved you for so long... but you've never looked at me as a woman. If tonight is the last... then I want to dance with you. "
Raiden looked up at her. Seeing this warm and sincere smile, he sketched a sweet smile.
He then gently grabbed her hand and gently pulled her to him, their foreheads coming into contact.
"You know I always give in when you smile," he whispered.
Then, under the influence of alcohol, he slid his hands on her hips and gently squeezed her against him.
"Let's make the mall of this evening," he whispered in Sylpha's ear.
Sylpha blushed slightly.
They began to dance around the fire, their shadows following their steps, their eyes immersed in each other.
Their steps were simple, almost instinctive, their bodies approached, moved away, touching each other in a soft cadence.
Valen, moved and silent, raised his hand and made spheres of light appear: small floating stars rose and began to tirl around them. Magical, sparkling fireflies danced in harmony.
Their faces, bathed in light and warmth, seemed frozen in a moment of eternity.
The fire crackled, the wind rose, the flames intensified. Luminous ashes swirled around them. The tents waved, and the world seemed suspended from their movement.
Raiden and Sylpha, illuminated by the flames, and wrapped in stars, danced, like two souls connected by an invisible thread, a step, a breath, a rotation and a memory.
The music was that of fire, wind and beating heart.
A soldier, passing by there by chance, and came across the dance of the two heroes. Being captivated by their dance, he decided to take his notebook and pencil, to illustrate this suspended moment, seemingly unreal, where two heroes in a critical moment dance hand in hand.
Their last dance, was engraved in the silence of the night, for eternity, by a simple soldier.
TO FOLLOW...