As the first light of dawn broke over Thalassea, the battlefield transformed into a scene of surreal beauty. The soft golden rays spilled across the shore, illuminating the remnants of the battle with a serene glow. The once-furious sea was now calm, its gentle waves lapping at the sand. Floating ice shards, remnants of Hans' desperate fight, glimmered like pieces of celestial glass scattered across the water. The suffocating ooze of Crixuc had vanished with the titan’s defeat, leaving no trace of its grotesque presence, as if nature itself sought to cleanse the horrors of the night.

The villagers, who had spent the harrowing night crammed into the evacuation area, began to trickle back into the town. At first, their movements were hesitant, their faces lined with exhaustion and fear. But as they saw the town intact and the defenders alive on the beach, awe and relief replaced their dread. Cries of gratitude rose tentatively at first, then swelled into a wave of cheers that echoed through the streets and over the shore, a jubilant anthem of resilience and survival.

On the beach, the trio of defenders sat quietly, their exhaustion evident. Hans slouched forward, his head resting against his knees, his breath still uneven as he fought to recover. Beside him, Jun’de lay sprawled in the sand, arms spread wide, staring at the sky as if to soak in the warmth of dawn. Ellie, crouched between them, worked with practiced efficiency to clean and dress Jun’de’s wounds, her expression focused but softened by the quiet triumph of survival.

Hans was the first to speak, his voice cutting through the comforting murmur of the waves. “You know, I made a promise once,” he said, his tone subdued but carrying a depth of emotion. He lifted his head slightly, gazing at the horizon, where sunlight danced across the calm water. “To Ika and Flo… my comrades from the academy. Back when we were flying over Londona on the airship, we talked about how vast the world is. I told them I’d bring them here one day… to see this.” He gestured toward the expanse of sea and sky, a vision of unspoiled beauty that seemed untouched by the violence of the night.

Ellie paused her work and looked at Hans, her face unreadable at first. Then, her gaze softened, and she gave a small nod. “It seems like you’ve been working hard to keep that promise,” she said quietly, her voice carrying an unspoken acknowledgment of the determination that fueled him.

Hans kept his eyes on the horizon, the golden light reflecting in his weary but resolute gaze. “I’ll keep it,” he murmured, his words filled with quiet conviction. “One day.”

Ellie didn’t reply, but her expression was gentle, her usual sternness giving way to something unspoken. Jun’de, lying beside them, let out a contented hum, shifting slightly as he found a more comfortable position. “Speaking of promises, Hans,” he said, his voice light despite the pain evident in his every movement. “Once I’m healed… how about we go on that date you promised?”

Hans jolted upright, his face going crimson as he turned to glare at Jun’de. “Wh-what? I never promised you a date!” he spluttered.

Jun’de grinned, wincing slightly as the motion tugged at his injuries. “Didn’t you? Huh, must have been a dream,” he said lazily, his tone teasing as he glanced at Ellie for backup.

Ellie raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth twitching upward in amusement. “Maybe it’s time you both made it official,” she said, her tone uncharacteristically playful.

Hans groaned and dragged his hands down his face, muttering, “You two are impossible.” But despite his exasperation, a faint smile lingered at the corners of his lips.

The trio fell into a comfortable silence, their gazes drawn once more to the endless expanse of the sea. For a moment, the world felt still, the chaos of the night pushed to the edges of memory.

Their quiet reverie was broken by the sound of hurried footsteps on the sand. Two figures appeared, sprinting toward them, their movements frantic but their faces alight with relief. It was Cassian Alma and Rendy Stiffer, two other Aegis Enforcers who had been stationed elsewhere during the battle.

Cassian’s voice rang out as she called to the trio, her usual composure slipping. “Captain! Ellie! Jun’de! Thank the heavens, you’re all alive!”

The pair slowed as they approached, Cassian’s worried gaze flickering over each of them. She and Rendy had been stationed further back, observing the battle through the enchanted lens of Rendy’s ring, Petra Mirror. A perfect tool for long-distance surveillance, it allowed them to witness every harrowing moment of the fight. Cassian’s heart had lurched when she saw Jun’de and Ellie take direct hits. Now, seeing them battered but breathing, her concern softened into a weary smile.

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Hans looked up, his exhaustion evident but his tone sincere. “I’m sorry to have made you both worry,” he said, his gaze steady as it moved between them. “But you did a great job keeping the civilians safe in the evacuation bay. Thank you.”

Without hesitation, Cassian reached for Hans’ hand, her eyes catching the soft glow of the ring on his finger. She inspected it with an air of awe. “This has to be one of the Emperor’s Rings,” she said, her tone teasing but reverent. “And I’d say it chose its bearer wisely.”

Hans flushed slightly at her words, pulling his hand back with an awkward shrug. “Hopefully,” he muttered, looking away toward the horizon.

Meanwhile, Rendy knelt beside Jun’de, his sharp eyes taking in the hastily patched wound on his side. “Ellie, let me see,” he said, pulling out a small healer’s kit. He gently peeled back the bandages Ellie had applied, earning a loud groan from Jun’de.

“Ah, Rendy, you’re killing me!” Jun’de complained, his voice exaggerated and dramatic.

Rendy raised an eyebrow but couldn’t suppress a small chuckle. “You’ll live,” he replied, though his tone turned serious as he examined the wound. “Ellie, good work on the patch-up. This would’ve been much worse if you hadn’t stepped in.”

Ellie inclined her head slightly, her usual stoic demeanor softening under the compliment. “Just doing my job,” she said, though a hint of pride flickered in her eyes.

Rendy began chanting a simple healing incantation, his hands glowing faintly as he worked to stabilize the injury further. “Still,” he added, “we need to get him to the medic team. This is no good. If we wait too long, even my healing arts won’t be enough.”

Jun’de groaned again, this time less dramatically. “Guess I’m in good hands,” he muttered, his voice laced with fatigue.

Cassian turned back to Hans, her expression brightening once more. “Captain,” she said, the teasing note back in her voice as she gestured to the ring on his hand, “this battle would’ve ended very differently if you weren’t here. Don’t downplay it.”

Hans looked down at the glowing Tempest Tear on his finger, its soft light still pulsing with energy. His gaze lingered for a moment, his thoughts drifting to the responsibility it represented. “Thanks, Cassian,” he said quietly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Ellie stood, brushing sand from her knees as she looked at Hans. “she’s right,” she said simply. “Let’s head back. We’ve done enough here.”

Hans nodded, stretching his sore muscles before turning toward the town. “Agreed. Let’s get Jun’de to the medics and check on the town folks.” He glanced over his shoulder at the sea, the sunlight sparkling on the gentle waves. For the first time since the battle began, he allowed himself to exhale fully.

“Come on,” he said, his voice calm but resolute. “Let’s go home.”

The group began their walk toward the town, Cassian and Rendy flanking Jun’de to support him as he limped forward. The sound of the folks’ cheers filled the air, a symphony of gratitude and relief. And though the physical wounds from the battle would take time to heal, the unspoken bond between the defenders was stronger than ever.

——

In the shadowed expanse of the lair, the air shimmered with an otherworldly energy, suffused with the faint hum of cosmic vibrations. A girl with ombre hair, fading from starlit lavender to cosmic purple, stood tall before the colossal figure of Coeus, the Cosmic Peacock Titan, the Primordial Titan of Intellect. Her gaze was steady, her presence commanding, and her voice a low murmur that reverberated with an edge of anticipation. “Father, It’s time,” she said, each word deliberate and weighted, “to bring your sibling back. The Age of Titans will rise again.”

Coeus, once a magnificent titan brought low by the devastating power of Chris Elysionsonn, stretched his resplendent wings wide, filling the vast cavern with a luminous display of cosmic constellations. The intricate patterns woven into his plumage glimmered as if freshly restored, a testament to his resurgence.

His cry shattered the silence, a piercing, ethereal shriek that sent waves of power cascading through the lair. Around him, the titans stirred in response, their roars rising in a unified, earth-shaking symphony. Among the throng, two figures emerged from the shadows—greater titans of uncanny resemblance.

The twin rabbit titans were mirror images of each other, their sleek, black fur absorbing the dim light of the lair, their glowing crimson eyes radiating an eerie intelligence. Their movements, fluid and synchronized, exuded an unnerving blend of elegance and ferocity.

Rem tilted her head, her eyes meeting theirs. A subtle smirk played on her lips as she listened to their unspoken words, their intent conveyed in a language of raw power and primal instinct. “Ah,” she said, her voice carrying an air of amusement, “the Core of Atlas. That will make the perfect gift for the reunion. Go and retrieve it.”

The twins reacted with an almost childlike glee, their lithe forms vibrating with energy before dissolving seamlessly into the surrounding shadows. The air rippled briefly in their wake, leaving a chilling stillness in the lair.

Rem’s gaze returned to Coeus, who regarded her with an inscrutable expression. Around them, the other titans stirred restlessly, their anticipation palpable. Rem’s hair caught the faint glimmers of the cosmic light emanating from Coeus’ wings, her form outlined against the swirling energies of the lair. She placed a hand over her heart, her voice steady and resolute.

“This is just the beginning,” she whispered, as if to herself, yet her words seemed to echo, carried by the vast, pulsating power of the lair. The girl and her cosmic father stood united, harbingers of the age to come, while the realm itself seemed to hold its breath in anticipation of their next move.