The first hint of dawn had not yet touched the sky, but Sid was already walking.
The air was crisp, the ground damp with dew, and each step he took toward the village gate echoed louder than it should have. His satchel hung from one shoulder, the worn parchment from his grandfather tucked safely inside. Maelin's black scarf was wrapped around his neck, the knot resting just over his heart.
He expected to walk alone.
But just beyond the flickering lanterns, Sid saw familiar figures waiting quietly by the gate.
The moment he saw them, a twitch pulled at his chest — a tightness he couldn't name.
Sierra stepped forward. She didn't speak right away — just looked at him, her eyes warm and steady.
"The world's going to test you," she said gently. "But you've already passed the part that mattered."
She pressed a small object into his palm — the silver feather-shaped hairpin he'd seen her wear before.
"It's from my mother. She said it keeps travelers safe. It worked for me. Now… it's yours."
Sid stared at it for a long moment, then carefully slid it into the inner pouch of his satchel.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Sierra leaned in, arms wrapping around him without hesitation. Her hug was soft, her scent familiar — crushed herbs, lavender, and something that always made Sid think of spring. She pulled back, gave him a last look that said more than words could.
Juno didn't speak right away. He just stepped forward and stopped beside Sid, silent for a breath.
"Took you long enough."
Sid cracked a small smile. "Didn't want to keep you waiting."
Juno clapped a hand on Sid's shoulder, firm and steady. His voice dropped low, quiet enough for only Sid to hear:
"Don't lose yourself out there. You know where home is."
Then, without a word, he handed Sid a small leather-wrapped bundle. Inside was a dagger, simple and worn — the kind of tool that got you through when nothing else could.
"Just in case you need to remember where you came from."
Sid gripped the handle and gave a silent nod. That was enough for both of them.
And then came Rami.
He sprinted forward like a blur and crashed into Sid's legs with full force.
"TAKE ME WITH YOUUUUUU!"
Sid staggered, laughing. "You're still too young, Rami."
"I'm almost ten!" the boy declared proudly, puffing out his chest.
He shoved something into Sid's hands — a wooden carving, crude and lopsided, shaped vaguely like Sid holding a sword.
"I carved this myself! Well… mostly. Kinda used my teeth."
Sid crouched and turned it over with reverence.
"It's perfect."
Rami tried to blink fast enough to hide the tears welling in his eyes.
"I'm gonna train every day," he sniffed. "And when you come back, I'll be ready to beat you. For real."
Sid ruffled his hair. "You're already a handful. I'll need to get stronger just to keep up."
He stood back and took one last look at the three of them — Sierra, Juno, and Rami.
"Will you all still be here?"
Sierra nodded. "Always."
Juno gave a short nod. "Someone has to keep this place from falling apart."
Rami raised his stick like a sword and shouted, "Don't die!! Unless it's really cool!!"
Sid laughed, a short breath filled with so much more than amusement. The kind of laugh that holds back tears.
And then the wind changed.
The trees rustled, and the very air itself seemed to grow denser — not heavier, just more… aware.
Dante stepped from the treeline, his figure casting a long shadow over the hill. Hands in his pockets, eyes half-lidded. A presence impossible to ignore.
Sid turned to face him. Dante simply asked:
"You ready?"
Sid gave one last glance to his friends — to his home — and then turned to face the future.
"I'm ready."
From beside Dante, the air shimmered — like sunlight bending through flame.
Then Avi emerged, shedding her human disguise like falling ash.
Her wings unfurled in a single, fluid motion — vast and majestic, glowing with deep red like a phoenix born of fire.
Her feathers caught the lantern light and threw it back as flame, each one alive with molten color.
Her scarlet eyes, sharp and fathomless, scanned the valley like a queen measuring her kingdom.
She was not just a beast of the skies — she was a presence.
A force.
Sid didn't speak. He only stared — as if this was the first time all over again.
Avi lowered herself. Dante climbed onto her back with ease, as though it were second nature.
He looked back at Sid.
"You coming?"
Sid took a breath. Then another. Then climbed up behind him.
Avi's wings spread wide.
The wind roared.
With a single beat, she rose like a firestorm, climbing higher and faster into the sky.
The village below blurred into flickering lights and distant shapes.
The villagers had gathered. All of them. Silent. Watching.