Things were enjoyable, especially when we went out to eat and people seemed to avoid us for our torn clothes, but we didn’t mind it and just had fun. They were silly things. From how I struggled to use certain utensils to making Sera try a mine ration and making her gag.

“Seriously, how did you eat these?!”

“Practice.”

It was an emotion driven experience, one that was only allowed by the peaceful circumstances and whose only goal was to have fun and be happy. There was no worry in our minds about what would happen after, because we could only enjoy it for a limited time.

But, it lasted for days, and I found myself having more fun than ever. There was no consideration about whether people looked at me weird, or even if I was doing the right thing or the wrong thing, in my mind there was only happiness.

And so, we just enjoyed ourselves until finally, the final day came.

We had been told that the ceremony would be held tomorrow, and the news came in the morning, so there was a bit of a weird mood.

“I can’t believe it’s over already…” Sera said with a small sigh.

“Yeah, me neither.” I sighed as well, carrying her sentiment. “But I enjoyed it a lot.”

“Hm, me too.” She slowly nodded as she laid back in bed. “So what do you want to do today?”

“Not sure… what can we even do aside from having fun.”

“Have more fun,” Sera said slyly, which made me chuckle.

“Yeah we can try somehow…”

Though before I could continue the door was knocked, and Revy’s voice echoed.

“Someone who claims to be your friend is looking for you two, their name is Yan.”

“Yan…?” I blinked. “Oh, huh.”

“We did say we’d go out to grab some drinks,” Sera said, nudging me. “So let’s enjoy drinks with him.”

“Yeah.” I nodded to her words.

* * * * *

Yan honestly expected a lot of things as he stood outside of the hotel. For one, perhaps he wouldn’t be remembered, or maybe they’d give him the cold shoulder, but instead what welcomed him was something that didn’t expect. The two girls were well dressed, just like he remembered when they went on their day out, however…

Sybil was always smiling, and Sera seemed to have nothing but attention for her.

“I see, so that’s how it is…” He nodded in a whisper as they came to him.

“How’s what?” Sera asked, raising her brow. “You’re acting weird now.”

“If anything, you two are acting weird,” Yan said, shaking his head. “Well enough of that, I just came by to report⁠—”

“Report?” Sybil asked with a small frown. “Didn’t we say we’d grab lunch together once we met again? We’re all alive, you know.”

“We said drinks actually,” Sera corrected. “Though can you even drink, you’re basically a kid⁠—”

“I can drink.” Sybil harrumphed. “Though not like I’ve ever drank alcohol before…”

Yan blinked seeing their overly warm interaction and simply smiled.

“Let’s get some drinks then, as for the report…” Yan shook his head. “Soulblade has ceased to exist completely.”

“Oh we know we kinda killed their boss,” Sybil said, scratching her cheek. “No need to report that.”

Yan blinked and nodded. Things were a bit weird but he decided to go along with it.

In the end, they visited some bar suggested by him, and ordered well, whatever they pleased. Sybil ended up getting a mixed cocktail that frankly Yan would’ve stayed away from, but due to Sera’s teasing she just went for it.

Things went well at first, but the conversation slowly got incoherent as Sybil grew more flushed until⁠—

“Ah this is annoying!”

She slammed the table and fire engulfed her. Yan nearly jumped, Sera’s eyes went wide, and Sybil’s complexion immediately improved⁠— all while the surrounding people let out screams. The fire extinguished as soon as it came, but the damage had been done.

“Sorry… alcohol really sucks…”

Sera just broke into a laughing fit, while Sybil awkwardly tried to explain herself, and all Yan could do was stare. She really had… changed.

Meanwhile, a person on the staff came running with a fire extinguisher and paused. Yan shook his head as he flashed his identification card.

“Everything is okay.”

“Right…” The staff member looked at everyone at the table. “We’d still like you to evacuate.”

Yan paused, but Sera just smiled.

“Sure, sure, let’s evacuate.”

And with that the staff member left as Sybil let out a sigh and stood up along with Sera. Yan also followed suit as everyone left the restaurant. And when they were in the streets, Sera was the first one to speak, not to apologize, or to say anything in regards to Sybil’s actions, but to talk to him.

“You know, Yan, we are leaving Armag Hollow tomorrow.”

He paused. “So, will you be⁠—”

“We probably won’t be returning,” Sera said, shaking her head. “So this is goodbye from both of us.”

Sybil blinked and her expression subtly changed to a more familiar one as she nodded, and regarded Yan.

“Yeah, sorry for not telling you sooner.” She shook her head with a small sigh. “I hope you won’t miss us too much, but just know that I’ll fondly remember you. I’m not particularly good with goodbyes, but we’ll try to visit in a few years if everything goes well, however we may also die⁠—”

And Sera gave Sybil a light jab.

“Don’t say that.” She sighed, turning back to Yan. “I guess that is all, a goodbye. For years to come, or maybe permanence. Sorry.”

Yan stared for a moment, and then for some reason he just chuckled, he began to laugh. Not because what they were saying was funny, but to him it was actually a shock that the two girls cared enough about him to try to assuage his potential worries.

“It’s fine… I can see that you two are very bonded now, I’m a bit of an extra⁠—”

“You’re not an extra,” Sybil said with a sigh. “Look, you may not matter to me as much as Sera, but you still matter to me in some way, so don’t miss us too much, it’s a bit saddening.”

He stiffened, and nodded. “Right… Sorry… I’ll miss you two, even if it feels weird to say. So this is a goodbye?”

“No.” Sera suddenly grabbed his hand at lightning speed and Sybil was also grabbed, and in the end a group hug was made. “Now this is goodbye. Don’t die Yan.”

“I won’t.” He smiled, parting from the two girls. “Don’t die you two.”

“We won’t.” Sera grinned and the two of them went on their way as Yan was left with a small smile.

They really changed a lot, huh…?

* * * * *

I had felt a bit odd after going out with Yan, but we still enjoyed the rest of the day. Though, it quickly came to an end, and we woke up the next day to knocks on our door, signaling the end of the fantasy.

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“The award ceremony is due to begin in an hour, please ready yourselves.”

It was Revy’s voice, of course he got no answer from either of us, but he still left soon after. All while we laid down, in bed just sharing each other’s company, until finally I spoke up.

“I guess this is it, huh…?”

“Yeah, today we’ll be leaving,” Sera agreed. “Probably right after the ceremony too, I asked Wendell to arrange some supplies for us, so that our journey would go as smoothly as possible.”

“What kind of supplies?” I raised my brow.

“You know, food and [Life Liquids].” She pondered for a moment more. “Sleeping bags too I guess, but we don’t really need anything else.”

“Yeah, I guess so…” I agreed from the side.

“Well we should get ready.” With those words Sera stood up. “Besides, even if I won’t be emotion driven for a while, it doesn't mean we can’t have fun. I still enjoy your company.”

I nodded in agreement. “I feel the same way.”

“Then there is no need for us to sulk,” Sera chirped. “Now let’s get ready.”

“Yeah.”

* * * * *

Lyonel had spent so long searching for the girl in order to get answers. He wanted to find Sybil, perhaps he wanted to hear why she had killed the Knight, or perhaps he just wanted his closure, but unfortunately, he never found her. Instead, they found clues to her, the fact that she was around with the Knight Vice Commander Yan, and that the Vice Commander had betrayed the Knights.

Lyonel had hoped that would be the end of things, that after once everything was sorted, he would see Sybil once more, but instead the opposite happened. It was the start of hell, Yan returned to Kilead, and instead of being admonished he received an official pardon from the Knight Commander, and shortly thereafter Kilead was evacuated.

No amount of talking or questions would make Yan inform him of Sybil’s whereabouts, or even anything about her. It was frustrating, and now, he was at wits’ end. The apocalypse came to an end, he fought for his life and even managed to kill two Prowling Harvesters, but it wasn’t something he was proud of, if anything it was a terrifying experience.

Yet there were people that did it without batting an eye, and Lyonel still firmly believed that Sybil was amongst those people. Sometimes he thought back about that encounter with the well dressed Sybil look-alike, it wouldn’t have surprised him that she was indeed the person he was looking for, but unfortunately back then, he didn’t act on his instincts.

And now, he was here in Prowelwater.

Hopeless and lost. He wished he could’ve seen Sybil one last time, but that clearly wouldn’t be happening, and now, he had to move on with his life. Forget about her actions, and how she made him feel.

It was a new era of Armag Hollow, one where humanity had pushed back the twisted nightmares that had haunted them for ages. It wasn’t any time for him to be thinking about the past, but about the future instead, and that was why he had gathered at the central plaza along with thousands of other people.

All in order to witness a ceremony, a new beginning.

Lyonel took a breath and he closed his eyes as trumpets began to resound. Looking up, Lyonel saw the grand platform that had been preparing for the speech that was about to be given, and he couldn’t wait.

There was silence and anticipation as a figure approached the lectern on the platform. It was none other than the Mayor, an elf with silver hair and golden eyes, though he was missing an arm, which seemed to cause some unrest among the people.

The elf reached his destination and took a cough into the microphone before he began speaking.

“Today we have all gathered here to commemorate those that have fallen, but also to acknowledge those that saved Armag Hollow as heroes.”

The Mayor closed his eyes as people attentively looked at him.

“First I’d like to invite the one responsible for saving the large majority of the population of Kilead: Vice Commander Yan of the Knights.”

And Lyonel paused, as he watched another person step onto the podium. It was Yan who warmly greeted the Mayor and received a medal.

“With great foresight he evacuated all of the civilians, and thus allowed a lot of people to live on, saved families and the future generations.”

People cheered and the Mayor nodded at them as he continued. Lyonel simply blinked as person after person was called forth, some were familiar to him, others he had never heard of, but they all had the same trait in common. They had greatly helped in repelling the apocalypse.

As the ceremony continued, Lyonel quickly forgot about his bitter feelings, and instead simply admired the people there. A flame was rekindled within him as he remembered everything he wanted to be.

A Hero.

His chest drummed with steady resolve as he took in the faces of the true saviors of Armag Hollow, until finally there was a pause and the Mayor took a breath.

“Everyone that I have called forth made great contributions towards Armag Hollow, but now I want to call forth the two people that saved my life.” The Mayor smiled. “The two of them will create a new era for Armag Hollow; a new era for humanity.”

Lyonel didn’t understand the Mayor’s words, but he found that he was trembling in excitement. There was the same air all around, and for good reason. In the history of Armag Hollow the Mayor rarely if ever gave praise, yet right now, it was unbridled.

“Emerged from the shadows, old enemies that set their differences for a common goal; they have joined us to conquer the outside world.”

Lyonel gasped, everyone did at the same time as the Mayor smirked.

T-The outside?!

“Sworn their allegiance to Armag Hollow. Two Ascended, and the current two Generals of the Knights.”

Lyonel couldn’t believe his ears but it was too late as two people stepped onto the platform, and that was when he gasped.

Sybil and Yan’s dating partner?!

And at that moment, the crowd exploded into cheers.

* * * * *

Miles had thought he would never see her again, but she was there. He couldn’t hear the cheering crowd as he simply focused on her rather meek expression and awkward posture. She wore the uniform of a proper Knight, the scar on her cheek barely showing, but it was the same person he had been looking for.

Sybil.

However, this time, he didn’t feel the need to seek her or try to reconcile, instead he just felt happy for what she had achieved and what she would achieve. And that’s when he finally realized he got the closure he so desperately needed.

With a smile, he whispered to himself.

“We may never see each other again, but I hope to hear of your accomplishments across the land…”

* * * * *

Contrary to what I expected, people had welcomed Sera and I with open arms. The two now well-known Ascended of Armag Hollow. Even though we tried to leave the city as stealthy as possible, my mere presence seemed to command respect wherever we went.

It was a nice thing. Something that truly made me want to return to Armag Hollow down the line.

But eventually, we reached the edge of the city along with Wendell, the disguised Mayor, as we made our final conversation.

“Still though I can’t believe he just happened to have a Relic like that in his reliquary, one that would allow… shapeshifting.”

Wendell, the Mayor, cackled. “I find his appearance repulsive, but it is a necessity for Armag Hollow. Thankfully, he also had a stock of mana stones, so using the Relic is not a problem, but ignoring that.”

The elf shook his head, as his appearance morphed to a familiar old man.

“I am grateful to you both, Armag Hollow will always welcome y’all as heroes of humanity.”

Sera chuckled. “Thank you as well.”

“To leave Armag Hollow, the easiest way now comes from the rift that Sybil made with Soulblade, just follow it to its end,” Wendell said with a smile. “No need to go through the Grand Mine or anything like that.

I nodded, now with the supplies already in the [Storage Ring]. “Thank you Wendell.”

He gave me a smile. “Goodbye you two, I have to go now.”

We nodded and gave him our farewells.

Sera smiled. “Now let’s go⁠—”

“Wait!” Someone called, screaming from a distance.

My eyes squinted and Wendell frowned before we quickly recognized the person, who was none other than Lyonel. He reached us panting and coughing as he immediately turned to face me.

“Sybil…”

“Yeah?” I asked with confusion.

Taking a moment to recover himself he asked. “Who are you…?”

I blinked, pondering my decisions. But deep down, a part of me wanted to just follow my emotions, it wanted to answer as truthfully and as heartfelt as possible.

And so I did.

A chuckle left me. “Just a miner, who pretended to be a Supervisor and somehow became a Knight Vice General, before becoming one of the Generals. Back in the mines, I never had anything, so thank you for letting me experience what a normal life is like.”

Wendell raised his brow, and Lyonel simply paused.

“I see… so that’s how it was… but now you’re a hero…”

“You could say that,” I agreed. “It’s what you wanted to be, a hero, no?”

“It is…”

“I’m about to leave Armag Hollow Lyonel, but if I can do it, then I think you can too.” I smiled.

He paused and slowly nodded. “Right, thank you… Is this our goodbye then?”

“It is,” I said simply. “Goodbye Lyonel.”

“Goodbye Sybil.”

Sera regarded him for a moment before smiling. “Thank you for taking care of Sybil right up until I met her. I’ll take care of her now.”

“Thank you Sera.”

She blinked and smiled, pulling me.

“Well, let’s go then.”

I nodded and followed her into a car as we waved at Wendell and Lyonel, before we drove off towards our destination.

The outside.

* * * * *

Lyonel looked at the car with a weird feeling, but now, he understood something. He didn’t know what it was yet, but he felt like he could move on now. The only thing left in his mind was gratitude, and a hopeful outview of the future.

Smiling to himself he watched the car leave before turning to Wendell.

“I’d like to become a Knight.”

The old man raised his brow then promptly smiled. “They really are great influences eh? Very well.”

Lyonel nodded and his smile deepened as he turned to watch the horizon.

Thank you Sybil… Good luck out there.

* * * * *

It didn’t take long before we found ourselves walking upwards through the rift I had torn into the walls of Armag Hollow, Sera leading the way with a small smile. And soon, I saw the light of the sun, but Sera paused.

“This is the beginning of our journey, Sybil,” she said, turning to me with a smile, extending her hand. “Let’s explore this world until we die, yeah?”

My heart paused for a moment before I fervently nodded. Without hesitation I grabbed her hand and grinned.

“Our destination is the end of the world, neither of us will be dying.”

Sera’s smile deepened as she pulled me forward.

“Let’s go then: To the end of the world.”

And we stepped into the light.