Kounaria Will Triumph

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The night breeze caressed the port of Luminas. Though music from the taverns still spilled into the streets, outside it was quieter. The air smelled of wet wood, salt, and smoke—the remnants of a city that had survived the impossible.

"Come on, come with me before you climb on a table and declare eternal love to your bow," Ettor said, calm as ever, though a playful grimace broke the seriousness of his face.

Ettor left the tavern holding Nessus by the shoulder. The archer staggered slightly, though he was far from being truly drunk. His light laughter and sparkling eyes betrayed how the Coral Flame had made him merrier than usual.

"And what would be so wrong with that? My bow loves me back!" Nessus laughed, then glanced around, as if remembering where he was.

"I highly doubt that..." Ettor stopped short, catching sight of a silhouette nearby.

"Huh? Isn’t that—"

It didn’t take long for them to find Rei, standing beside an empty dock, arms crossed, gazing at the night sky. His silhouette, framed against the reflection of the stars in the sea, looked like a melancholic painting.

"Are you feeling alright?" Nessus asked, tilting his head, voice caught somewhere between curiosity and sincerity. Rei barely shrugged.

"Just getting some air. Admiring the stars. Thinking about home."

"That’s fine," Ettor replied. "I’ll take this nuisance away from you."

"Hey!" Nessus protested, trying to land a weak punch.

Rei chuckled softly, still immersed in his sky, perhaps lulled into relaxation by the sparkling drink. He tilted his head slightly.

"It’s fine. I could use some company."

Ettor and Nessus nodded, choosing to remain silently at his side. There was nothing to say, except to respect the wishes of their Hero.

The sky was clear. Thousands of stars flickered like distant embers, reminding Rei of nights in Kyoto, when Gorō would take him out to the workshop garden to cool the metal and speak of future plans. Or when he would play with his siblings, counting stars, always making sure they all won the chocolate prize when his pockets allowed. He missed all of that dearly, but to have it again, he had to keep moving forward.

After a while, Rei broke the silence.

"What do you think of the Scarlet Colossus?"

The question surprised them, though Nessus only shrugged, seizing the chance to keep his cheer.

"That the fish just got the best home of all, right across from Luminas. That thing won’t move in hundreds of years." He laughed with that foxlike spark so typical of him.

Rei smiled for a second, but then shook his head.

"That’s not what I mean. I’m talking about how powerful it was. The thought keeps spinning in my head. I still find it unbelievable that those things can fly."

Ettor slowly nodded, glancing sideways at him.

"Are you thinking of new ways to bring them down?"

"No." Rei lowered his arms and stepped forward, staring into the horizon. "I mean that if just four of us could destroy an entire ship like that… imagine what we could do if we brought more men, if we immobilized the entire crew. And now… imagine what we could do if we had one ourselves."

The silence was nearly as loud as the waves crashing against the pilings. Nessus’s eyes widened. Ettor clenched his jaw.

"You can’t be thinking…" the elder whispered.

Rei turned toward them, a confidence in his eyes that unsettled and inspired at once.

"We need to capture one of those ships. Fill it with all our devices and our best men. We’d have an enormous advantage over the enemy fleet, no matter their numbers."

"Do you realize how insane that sounds?" Ettor narrowed his eyes.

Rei shook his head slowly.

"Until a few days ago, it was. Today… it’s just the next step. The pirates will return, and they’ll want to seize Luminas again, and all of Kounaria, until they claim the crystals. We can’t take a single step back."

"I don’t think you know what you’re talking about."

Rei met the gaze of the eldest Solaria, while Nessus shifted uncomfortably, unsure where to look. Rei stepped closer, the wind tugging at his hair, and recited firmly, almost solemnly:

"Do not fear, for orange is the color of hope and brings with it the Hero who will ignite the Earth. He will fight against the darkness, and the result of their clash will change the world forever. He will be the light within the storm and ensure that no clouds fall upon this World again, even after the Goddess guides him, in mercy, back to his first home."

Nessus swallowed hard. Ettor remained rigid, unblinking.

"The Hero’s Prophecy," he breathed.

Rei nodded, continuing with passion:

"And the Pirates haven’t lost their strength, nor is Luminas the entire world. Starting tomorrow I want to study with Leonoris about the rest of it. I plan to delve into every territory, every Kingdom, every Nation. To seek allies among dragons, werewolves, or whatever else is out there. I plan to free them from the pirates, just as we freed Luminas. And I’ll sail every sea and sky until not one remains. Then, I’ll return home to my siblings."

He lifted his chin, his amber eyes shining as though they might ignite the night itself.

"That’s what I plan. And my plans have been working lately."

The silence stretched. For a moment, only the murmur of waves and the distant echo of laughter from the city filled the air.

Then Nessus burst into laughter.

"You’re insane!" he said, tears of joy in his eyes. "But damn it, I love it. I’m with you, Rei!"

Ettor, however, regarded him gravely.

"You’ve changed since you came here."

Rei raised an eyebrow.

"Your sister told me that just minutes ago, too."

Ettor narrowed his eyes.

"But not that much. You’re brilliant, daring, and brave, Kashiwa Rei. This victory is yours. But let me warn you: I will not allow you to endanger my people more than necessary. Everything in its time and manner—no rushing, no reckless decisions. If you try to risk the kingdom, I will stop you."

Rei held his gaze, respectful yet firm.

"I wouldn’t expect less from you. Agreed."

They shared an unspoken pact of trust, but also of boundaries. Nessus cut through the tension by raising a hand.

"But if we do capture one, you’d better let me fly it!"

Rei laughed.

"I’d entrust it without hesitation to the most reckless pilot of all."

"Yes! Finally, someone acknowledges it!" Nessus spread his arms, thrilled.

They both laughed, and Ettor sighed in relief, shattering the lingering tension.

Rei turned back to the sky. Thousands of lights shimmered like embers suspended in the night vault. His lips moved softly.

"I hope you’re proud of my plan, Gorō."

Perhaps it was just his subconscious, but among the countless stars, he thought the brightest one winked at him.