SWNOVELXO Chapter 50: – Promises and Scars
The sunset painted Hero City in shades of orange and red —but no color could hide the aftermath of chaos.Broken windows. Cracked walls.Fear etched into every face. Sirens still echoed in the distance.
Dante, Abby, and Annie arrived in silence, their eyes absorbing the weight of what they'd just left behind... and what they'd returned to find.
Abby (whispering):"What... happened here?"
Dante gripped the hilt of his sword, the burden of responsibility heavier than the darkness they had just faced.
Annie scanned the surroundings, uneased.
Annie:"This… this was Zen, wasn't it?"
Dante (low):"Or worse."
📍 Guild of a Thousand Lights – Main Hall
The trio entered the guild headquarters.Kelvin Nox, standing tall and intimidating, waited with arms crossed —Liv and several instructors at his side.
Kelvin (stern):"Report."
Dante stepped forward, posture straight, voice unwavering.
Dante:"We identified a creature claiming to be the 'last Apostle of Tyrus.'Fused with an Abyssal entity, it threatened the village of Heleran.The three of us took it down."
Kelvin's eyes widened — ever so slightly.From him, that was like screaming in shock.
Kelvin (quietly):"The Apostles...? I thought they were... eradicated."
Dante:"He called himself the last."
Kelvin stood in silence for a moment, then closed his eyes, letting out a slow breath.
Kelvin:"Then... it's over."
But his expression didn't show relief —Only silent, buried doubt.
🏥 Central Hospital of Hero City
Ryan Valeborn walked the hospital corridors, each step heavy with worry.
As he turned the last corner of hallway 7A, he stopped.
His mother, Emily, sat on the bed — smiling.She was talking with none other than Ethan Stormbreak... and the legendary hero Rose Eldara, Ethan's mother.
The air felt lighter.Almost... miraculous.
Ryan (choking up):"Mom...?"
She turned, eyes glowing.
Emily:"Ryan!"
He ran to her.
Ryan:"You're... okay?! How...?"
Emily smiled warmly.
Emily:"Thanks to this young man... and Lady Rose.They cared for me... like family."
Ryan turned to Ethan, eyes full of gratitude.
Ryan:"Ethan… I—"
Ethan, a little embarrassed, scratched his head.
Ethan:"Tch... Don't start with that.You saved my life. I just returned the favor.We're even."
Ryan didn't hold back.He pulled his friend into a tight, genuine hug.
Ryan:"Thank you."
Rose watched them in silence —A gentle, maternal pride in her expression.For a moment, it was like watching young Inavy and Darius again,bearing the world together.
🍂 Private Scene – After the Visit
Ryan sat beside his mother on a wooden bench in the hospital's small inner garden.The sound of leaves rustling in the wind filled the quiet spaces between words.
Emily held her son's hand.
Emily:"I remember that little boy who used to wipe his tears on my apron…when the other kids teased him for not having an aura."
Ryan lowered his gaze.
Ryan:"They still call me that."
Emily:"But today... you made them eat those words.You saved me, Ryan. Like a true hero."
He looked at her, eyes welling with tears.
Ryan:"I... just did what any son would do."
She laughed, tears falling freely.
Emily:"But not every son would face death.Not every son would stand against a monster... head-on.You are my hero, Ryan.With or without an aura."
Ryan broke.He let the tears fall — no longer hiding.
Ryan:"I just... didn't want to lose you.That's always been my greatest fear."
Emily:"And I always knew you'd protect me.Even without saying it. Even without powers."
They embraced.
Mother and son.
Two hearts beating as one.
The scars on the body remained.But the ones on the soul… were beginning to heal.
📍 FADE TO BLACK
[End of Chapter 50 – Promises and Scars]