Moraliska

In the golden light of morning, as sunlight filtered through the trees, a gentle warmth brushed across the heroes' faces.

Leora, Raven, Kyle, Mia, Kai, and Aeli finally stepped out from the depths of the Azarim's hideout. Their steps were slow, yet filled with certainty.

The place that once echoed with darkness and torment had become a new symbol—of freedom and triumph.

Their breaths harmonized with the whispering wind weaving through the leaves, as if nature itself was celebrating the moment with them.

Leora raised her scepter high toward the sky, its crimson tip glowing brilliantly—declaring the beginning of a new era.

Raven, standing beside her, smiled gently. A glow of hope shimmered in his golden eyes—one he had never known before.

Kyle knelt to touch the earth, feeling the power of nature returning, growing once more after the brutal battle.

Mia's gaze carried a mix of relief and the fire of challenges yet to come, while Kai looked skyward in gratitude, and Aeli fluttered in the air above them, her wings a symbol of both serenity and protection.

As the breeze danced softly and the trees hummed songs of peace, Aeli soared beside the heroes, her tiny wings sparkling in the colors of a rainbow.

Raven stared at her, wide-eyed with wonder.

"Woooow… What is this? She's so tiny!" he gasped.

He stepped forward slowly and gently cupped her cheeks between his fingers, as if amazed that something so small could be real.

Then he muttered with mock disbelief, "Is she real? Or just… a dream?"

Aeli giggled softly, flapping her wings rapidly as if to say:

"I'm real, you idiot!"

At that moment, Kyle walked up behind him with a sly grin and said:

"The annoying one's back… Guess we won't get any peace now!"

Laughter erupted from the group—except Raven, who scowled and replied:

"Kyle… Do you want to die here?"

Leora raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Not just annoying—childish."

Mia looked at them with a hesitant smile and asked:

"Um, would you allow us to accompany you… to your next destination?"

Raven pointed at Kai with a playful smirk:

"And bring that nuisance along too?"

Mia replied confidently:

"I know you're all wary of him… but I want you to trust him."

Kyle sighed dramatically, placing his hands behind his head:

"Ugh… Fine. A few more annoyances won't make a difference."

All eyes turned to Kai.

He stood silently, eyes burning with an inner conflict.

He looked at Mia—still standing beside him—trying to build him a bridge that wouldn't collapse.

Then he stepped forward and bowed his head in sincere respect.

"Please… give me a chance. Let me earn your trust."

A hush fell over the clearing, broken only by the soft sighs of the wind—like even the air itself was waiting.

Leora looked at him, studying his expression… then smiled. A smile born from the heart.

She spoke warmly:

"Raise your head, Kai… no need to kneel.

You can come with us.

You may not be like us… but you're not like them either.

And that's enough… for now."

Aeli fluttered forward, her wings glimmering with excitement.

With a bright smile, she declared:

"Then let's go, everyone! It's time to leave."

She raised her tiny hands and whispered an ancient incantation, her voice gentle as the wind:

"Verahil Nara… Itrios."

The air shimmered around them as a spiral of light formed, opening a magical passage that touched the walls of the hideout.

They stepped into it—each carrying a blend of peace and caution in their hearts.

And as they emerged, feet touching the earth once more… the storm behind them vanished—and light appeared.

He stood there. Just a few steps away.

A tall man. His cloak swaying with the wind, strands of silver hair gleaming in the sun.

His eyes sparkled with a gaze that needed no words…

A look of pride.

He opened his arms slightly and spoke in a deep, warm voice:

"Welcome back… heroes of Moraliska."

It was Eliora.

They froze.

Eyes widened in pure, stunned disbelief.

Raven blinked and whispered:

"Eliora…?"

Leora took two hesitant steps forward, staring at him as if unsure if he was real. Then she said, half-smiling, half-scolding:

"Oh… So you've been here this whole time? Why didn't you come help us?"

Eliora chuckled softly and folded his hands behind his back.

"If I had… you would've never discovered your true strength."

Then, with a fatherly gaze, he added:

"Light isn't born in the absence of darkness, Leora.

You are all stronger now than when you entered that place.

And I needed to watch you rise… not raise you myself."

Kyle subtly turned his head away, whispering nervously under his breath:

"I need to leave before he notices me… Just one step—"

A familiar voice sliced through his thoughts like a blade:

"You're here too, arrogant brat?"

A chill ran down his spine, his fingers twitching.

He forced a grin, stepping forward with a carefully calm voice:

"Ah… Master Eliora. Glad to see you're well."

Eliora raised an eyebrow and smirked:

"Oh, you pampered child… Still just as annoying."

Raven leaned toward him and whispered, eyeing Kyle:

"Master… you know that arrogant guy?"

Eliora didn't answer at once.

He simply lifted his chin, gazing at Kyle—who tried to act unbothered.

Then he spoke, his voice layered with pride and sternness:

"Of course…

He was my first student."

A breathless silence.

Then Mia whispered:

"His… student?!"

Raven murmured, still staring:

"Huh… That explains a lot."

Kyle?

He lifted his chin, a smug grin on his face, as if this was the moment he'd waited for all along.

Eliora looked around at their worn-out faces and said gently:

"Looks like you picked up some company along the way."

He glanced at Kai, then Mia, before turning his eyes back to Leora and Raven—measuring how much had changed in them.

Raven folded his arms and half-smiled:

"Annoying company, sure. But… they'll do."

Mia laughed softly:

"Something tells me we'll be more than just company soon."

Kai muttered from the back, scratching his head:

"As long as no one asks me to sing or fly, I'm fine."

Eliora chuckled:

"Oh, then nothing's changed…"

Aeli zoomed forward, hovering in front of Eliora's face. Her wings flapped sharply, and she gave him a swift double-kick:

"You idiot! Li-Li! How haven't you noticed me yet?!"

He stared in surprise—then smiled warmly:

"Aeli… Still the troublemaker."

And in that moment…

Their eyes widened—every one of them—as if a lightning bolt had struck through the air.

As Eliora began explaining his connection to Aeli…

They all screamed in unison:

"WHAAT?! You two were friends?!"

Even Leora stepped back, pointing between them:

"Wait, wait, wait! You know each other?!"

Aeli laughed softly, fluttering onto Eliora's shoulder with a content sigh:

"Of course! This skinny old man used to be one of my closest friends… once upon a time."

Raven whispered:

"The shocks never end…"

Leora asked, concern creeping into her voice:

"When can we return to Moraliska? The enemy's gone, right?"

Eliora smiled—but it was a sad smile.

"The darkness hasn't ended… This is only the beginning."

Then he turned his gaze toward Kai.

"Isn't that right… boy?"

Kai met his gaze, nodding solemnly:

"Yes.

The Azarim… are just one branch of something much bigger."

Silence.

The truth sank deep into their hearts, and the weight of it showed on every face.

Eliora continued, his voice firmer now:

"The threat still lingers.

But this time—I'll be with you, my friends.

Just remember this:

In the darkest moments, heroes are born.

And from the womb of suffering… comes true strength.