Epilogue – “And We Walk Together”

The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden light over the trees and painting the cottage in amber warmth. Birds chirped lazily in the distance. The rhythmic thunk of an axe echoed across the clearing.

Kaito wiped sweat from his brow and adjusted his grip. With a swift motion, he brought the axe down again, splitting another log clean in half.

He glanced over his shoulder.

From the open kitchen window came the scent of herbs and something savory simmering in a pot. Lyria stood over the stove, humming to herself, long white hair now tied in a loose braid. Her apron was dusted with flour, and her expression was serene.

Peaceful.

This, Kaito thought, is everything I never knew I wanted.

“Papa’s not paying attention again,” whispered a mischievous voice from the nearby bushes.

He blinked. “...Airi?”

Silence.

Then—

A whoosh of air and a battle cry: “RAAAAWR!”

A blur of curls and giggles launched from behind the tree stump. A five-year-old girl with snow-white hair and fierce amber eyes tackled Kaito’s side with all the force her small but surprisingly powerful body could muster.

He stumbled with exaggerated drama. “GAH! I’m under attack!”

Airi grinned like a gremlin, clinging to his leg. “The forest beast strikes again!”

“You’ve gotten stronger,” Kaito said with mock-seriousness. “Too strong. Who’s been sneaking you second helpings of stew?”

“Mommy said I’m growing!”

Lyria leaned out the window, eyebrow raised. “I also said no ambushing your father when he’s holding an axe.”

Airi blinked. “Oh yeah.”

Kaito dropped to his knees and scooped her into his arms. “You’ll make a fine warrior one day. Just… maybe let the enemy put their axe down first.”

“I wanna fight bandits!” she declared, puffing her chest proudly. “Like you and Mommy!”

“You’ll need to clean your room first,” Lyria called from the window. “That’s your first quest.”

Airi groaned. “Noooo…”

Kaito kissed the top of her head, laughing. “A true hero must endure hardship.”

He was about to set her down when the peaceful hum of the clearing was shattered by rushed footsteps and shouted voices.

“Kaito! Lyria!”

A villager burst from the trail, panting and wide-eyed. “Trouble in the village! We need you!”

Kaito’s smile vanished.

In an instant, he stood.

Behind him, Lyria had already stepped outside, apron off, staff in hand.

Airi, still in his arms, grinned with sparkling eyes. “Adventure?”

Kaito set her down gently and looked to Lyria. She nodded, calm but focused.

He turned to their daughter.

“You coming with us?”

Airi grinned and struck a pose with a stick she’d been pretending was a sword all week. “Try and stop me!”

Lyria chuckled and reached for her hand.

And just like that, the three of them—warrior, healer, and their little storm of joy—walked together down the path toward the village.

Not just a family.

A force.