Together

Dust clouds rise into the sky as multiple figures on mounts ride down the path between Celestoria and Tristan. The Sun now high in the sky, it's golden light caressing them gently.

The members of Crimson Crow and Gryphon party, completing their assignment, now headed back towards Tristan.

Souma riding Kiba, side by side with Sable, Vaelen, and Kaldin. Kaldin loudly regaling the tales of his heroic exploits from last nights battle. Vaelen chuckles while Sable cuts in with Kaldin's not so heroic moments, that required both Sable and Vaelen to cover for him. Souma as usual, listens quietly, nodding along to Kaldin's exageration.

A step behind them the Silver Leaf twins laugh loudly, joining in by miming out the events that were being discussed.

Reiji and Nraltia ride ahead of them, his otherworldly mechanical beast, roaring into the open. It's mechanical heart echoing as he throttles it forward. Nraltia leaned on him, her arms wrapped around him as her ears fluttered in the wind.

"So... you're the Hero now, huh?" Nraltia ask, her voice teasing him.

"Ugh. Don't remind me. It's embarassing." He responds.

"For someone who dislikes the word Hero, you certainly excel at being one."

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean you're always jumping into danger head first aren't you?"

"You make it sound like I'm addicted to danger." He grumbles.

"Well, aren't you?"

"... You got me." He smiles sheepishly, unable to argue.

A moment of silence falls between them, before Nraltia speaks up, asking a question that has been plaguing her thoughts. "So now that the corruption is gone... are you going to go back?"

"Go back? To Earth you mean?" 

"Yeah, to Earth." Her voice comes a whisper barely audible over the sound of his engine.

Pulling over to the side, Reiji gently brakes, turning around to meet her eyes.

"No, not yet. Time moves much slower here, there's still plenty of adventure to be had here. I'm not ready to return just yet." He smiles gently. 

"Don't you have people waiting for you back home?"

"I'm sure my friends will do just fine without me." He pauses slightly, before raising his brow. "Why? Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"No. I'm just wondering."

Sighing, Reiji swings his leg over, to get a good look at her. "My friends back on Earth are important... but so are the friends I've made here, you're all just as important." 

"Okay..." She answers, hiding her face.

Reaching out to squeeze her hand, "I'm not going to leave you here alone when you still have amnesia."

"And if I ask you to stay even after I've regained my memories?" 

"Then I'll stay here, as long as you want me too." 

Holding his breath, Reiji gathers his courage. "Tia, you're import-" But his words are cut short, as a pair of soft lips brush against his.

"You're important to me too." She smiles, her cheeks flushed red.

"Wow! Your cheeks are redder than your jacket Reiji!" Sable hollars as she sees the exchange between the two.

Finally noticing that the others had stop to stare at them, Reiji quickly turns around, riding away from his friends behind him. Nraltia hugging his waist in panic, afriad to fall off.

"Let's go home, Tia." He finally says after leaving enough distance between him and the Gryphon party.

"Yeah, lets."