Shun POV:
I rested an arm over my knee. Underneath the last burst of light, Aiden’s lips met Sanura’s. The moon rushed to catch even a glimpse of the sun, but when they parted, their never-ending cycle continued.
Always a step behind.
Always a second away.
Sanura braided her usual curly hair into thick rows. They ran across her scalp before reaching down to wide hips. All attention was directed to her mature features: almond-shaped eyes layered with long lashes, a heavy lower lip that balanced the curvature of her nose, and brown irises tinted with a faint shade of red.
She was now Aiden’s wife.
Their hands interlocked, revealing the simplicity of the rings he chose to buy. Nothing was more important than keeping those Aiden cared about safe. An elaborate ring would only be worth his expense if it provided extra protection for Sanura.
The marriage ceremony was a private one. Only a handful of people close to them showed up at the church, and that included Gerard. Despite the loss of Byeol, he urged Aiden to not waste any time. He pushed Aiden to tie the knot with Sanura as soon as possible.
Gerard lost out on his happiness, yet he prioritised making sure Aiden obtained his.
I couldn’t attend even if I wanted to; perhaps that was another part of the penalty The System imposed on me. However, Phoebe didn’t know this. She thought I planned on using the wedding as a distraction to crush that damn Arcane Dungeon. Rather than wasting my time trying to change her mind, I told her to represent me at the wedding.
She left after promising she would.
‘...’
Katherine sat beside Gerard. No doubt her gentleness and the soothing care her presence offered were the reason for his cheeks rising. When she spoke, she did it with conviction. A confidence in her beliefs—in her way of life that Katherine acted upon, yet never forced on others.
A purity matched by few.
The System’s assessment of her character was accurate.
Phoebe consoled Gerard on the opposite side. She stroked his back; her words almost bringing out a laugh at times. This was her area of expertise, whether she was aware of it or not.
‘Arcane Dungeons...’
If I wasn’t preoccupied with my own growth… If I didn’t use the party to achieve my own goals, would Byeol still be alive? Did my actions contribute to her death?
No.
Byeol would have still entered the dungeon; she took on the task no one else wanted to. However, the response to her disappearance would have been different because of Gerard. Whether it was in the form of entering the dungeon with the party alone or another method, the difference in speed could have been enough to save Byeol’s life.
‘Maybe that was another reason why Minji couldn’t move? She didn’t have a party willing to go in with her despite the risks.’
It was plausible.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
A party this strong would have challenged an Arcane Dungeon at some point in the future, with or without me.
Kibo left the Smithy, holding a cup of tea on a saucer. He handed it to Katherine, but she bowed her head before accepting the kind gesture. Kibo waited for her to take a sip. Once a bright smile formed, his shoulders loosened.
“How is it?”
“The tea you make is always fantastic, Kibo.”
“And your company is always welcome, Lady Katherine.”
A warm laughter drifted through the night sky. It was cut short once Kibo’s eyes rested on Aiden and Sanura.
“Sanuraa, I want 6 grandchildren.”
“Only 6? I think 10 is better. Right, Aiden?~”
Long eyelashes fluttered, and Aiden’s calm demeanour was broken in an instant. Blood rushed to his cheeks, exemplified by the light chuckle of those around him.
“...We should start slow. Preparation is important...”
His gaze fell with his voice: a shyness that only one person was able to bring out of him. Sanura kissed Aiden’s cheek several times before holding his hand again.
“Yeah.”
She rested her head against his, and they both enjoyed the night scenery Chunhae offered.
Time rolled on. The gentle breeze brushed past a mind that was... empty. For the first time since my arrival in Ayadell, no thought intruded upon this tranquillity. Yet what gave me this opportunity was a light no longer here with us.
‘...’
My eyes shut when hers opened. They ripped the curtains to the side, forcing the world to appear before me once more. The nightmares stopped, but the hold this twisted individual had on me went deep.
There was no escape: the fate that could have been changed was verified by an intangible window, visible only to myself, but that time had passed. One thing stayed the same. One thing remained consistent.
I needed power.
A lot of it.
‘Shades… Is he still alive?’
His wide back, standing in front of the empty gate, floated to the forefront of my mind. He chose the hardest option for the sake of others. He faced a fate that everyone present knew what awaited him at the end. Shades had the power I needed, but I wasn’t planning on dragging this out any longer than necessary.
‘Kill Chloe Ravendawn. Kill Koli. And then crush that Arcane Dungeon.’
I shifted my gaze to Phoebe, calling everyone over. The light from the moon met the light from the flame. Their union illuminated a beauty that understood the weight of leadership. The vibrance in those amber eyes were a guide. They were a strength that supported and formed the foundation of this party.
Phoebe wasn’t the smartest, but she didn’t need to be.
Sanura went back inside with Kibo to give us some privacy before the others gathered around a campfire.
“Out of respect to Byeol and for Gerard, let’s take a break from dungeons for a while. Once we’ve finished grieving, I think we should officially register our party at the guild.”
There were no objections.
“As for the name, how about Star Vanguards?”
“...”
“G-guh! Is it that bad?!”
Flames flickered amongst the silence. They looked around, unsure whether it was appropriate to take another bite out of the dry wood. Heads bent down, but a quiet voice decided their fate.
“...Thanks, Phoebe. I like it.”
Once Gerard spoke, everyone was free to give their own opinions. Byeol would have been his future wife. Byeol would have been a future mother, but a damn Arcane Dungeon tore that reality away.
“I also believe the name is suitable.”
“It’s a good way to honour Byeol.”
Warmth spread across Phoebe’s lips: a smile both sweet and understanding. It reflected the effort she put into the name and her desire to preserve the memory of Byeol. To be a Vanguard meant to go forward first, but to be a Star meant your light was a beacon to others.
“What a stupid name.”
“...”
My head rose to confront the deafening silence. Gerard’s eyebrows quivered; his cheeks sunk to the ground until the fire dimmed.
“...What would you name it then, Shun?”
“...”
Each of their faces carried a different light: one was pure, one was observant, one was care, and one was understanding. However, none of those lights were Byeol. She was a person that couldn’t be replaced, so what right did we have to be Vanguards of her light?
I wouldn’t accept it.
We didn’t need to accept it either.
Even the brightest stars cast a shadow. Even the purest of people deal with problems, and even the kindest souls are rebuked. That was why I parted my lips. That was why it had to be this name.
“Starcry.”
I got to my feet and ignored their wide eyes. I looked past Gerard’s quaking body, Katherine’s tears of agreement, Aiden’s lowered gaze, and Phoebe’s shimmer.
Byeol was bright.
Bright enough that she held in tears she should have let out. We weren’t vanguards of light; we were only human. To cry did not mean just to weep but also to shout.
A light can’t fuel itself.
That’s why Starcry is a party.