A Promise Kept

The sun dipped low, casting a warm glow over the palace gardens as Sadie and Terran strolled side by side. The air was filled with a gentle breeze, rustling the leaves and carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers. It was a rare, quiet moment—one Sadie had promised herself long ago, a promise renewed now that the chaos around them was beginning to settle.

“This was the promise I made,” Sadie said softly, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. “A long time ago, during our graduation match, I promised I’d take you out on a proper date if you won. And here we are, despite your father interrupting, you clearly were the winner.”

Terran looked at her, a little surprised but smiling. “Yeah, I remember. You said you’d reward me for winning.”

Enuma back then had suggested to me a goal, no matter how self-indulgent. It helps keep your resolve strong, give me a focus to achieve to help training. 

I hesitated for a moment, then took a breath. “Well… I guess my goal now is to keep moving forward. To find a way to balance everything—my responsibilities, my feelings, and maybe… just enjoying the little moments like this.”

Sadie tilted her head, a small smile on her lips. “That’s important, too. Sometimes, the small talk, the nonsense, is what keeps us grounded. It reminds us that life isn’t just about battles or victories—it's about the bonds we build. The simple moments that make everything worthwhile.”

Enuma’s voice echoed softly in my mind. "Recognize this, boy. Not everyone needs to slay dragons to live a fulfilling life. Yet, because many don’t know how else to deal with their fears or struggles, they create dragons to slay. Eldrin, for example, sought to forge a new demon army—an endless cycle of war and slaying. It’s a pattern of human nature—creating monsters when they lack the courage or wisdom to face the true challenges."

I nodded, glancing at Sadie. I played off what Enuma said to me as my own genius, “Yeah. I’ve realized that not every fight has to be against a great evil. Not every challenge is about slaying dragons.”

Sadie looked thoughtful, her eyes flickering with understanding. “That’s true. The most important thing is that we’re needed—by the people, by those we care about. That’s what keeps me from falling into despair. The Little Man, I vowed to protect. The innocence you embody, reminds me that life is full when you’re needed. When someone depends on you. You gave me a reason to live.”

I looked at Sadie and blushed heavily. I once would be filled with warm erotic thoughts of Sadie in her maid outfit. Now, my thoughts are stuck only on her screams of pain and agony being attacked my benefactor, my master. The weight of the words settling in. 

I nervously scratch my face with my finger and talk about my juvenile attitude of trying to stand out, “People keep creating their own dragons,” I murmured. “And sometimes, the real challenge is just learning how to live without always needing to fight.”

Sadie reached out, taking his hand gently. “Exactly. And I believe that’s what makes us stronger recognizing that peace isn’t about slaying every monster. It’s about understanding when to stand firm, when to walk away, and when to simply be there for others.”

They continued walking, their footsteps slow and steady, as the sunset painted the sky in hues of orange and pink. In that quiet, shared moment, both of them understood that life’s true victory wasn’t always about slaying dragons but about finding purpose in the everyday—sometimes in small, insignificant moments that were, in truth, the most meaningful of all.

The leisurely afternoon drifted on as Sadie and Terran wandered through bustling market stalls and lively vendor booths, their conversation flowing naturally amid the vibrant surroundings. The air was filled with the scent of fresh bread, exotic spices, and the sweet aroma of blooming flowers. They stopped here and there, sampling treats and browsing trinkets, each moment feeling like a rare treasure amid the chaos of their responsibilities.

As they strolled, Sadie glanced at him, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. “You know,” she said softly, “the world isn’t as peaceful as it seems. The demon realm is still split. Gehanna went rogue from Raifanto, and that’s a dangerous crack in the foundation. If Raifanto’s strength wanes, it could be trouble.”

I nodded, listening intently. “And what about Emperor Hakuku? I’ve heard he’s still out there, with enough power to rival the old Demon King. That’s... uneasy to think about.”

Sadie’s gaze grew distant for a moment, then she added, “There are two other warlords of the Demon Six Supremacy out there—unknown names, hidden in the shadows. 

It was then Enuma mentioned the last two, "Kurojin and Tsukikage. What they are up to, not much. They just look for strong opponents."

I decided to mention the names to Sadie, "We only have heard rumors about them in the Hunter Guilds. The two are suspected to be Kurojin and Tsukikage.”

She paused, her smile softening. “It’s unsettling, but not surprising. The demon world always finds ways to stir chaos. We have to stay vigilant. I’ll keep an ear out for them, just in case.”

I looked at her, a mixture of concern and resolve. Then Sadie asked, “What about the wedding plans?" I replied, "Uriko’s excited, I think. We’re trying to set a date and figure out how we’re going to live together once it’s all done.”

Sadie grinned, her eyes shining with affection. “That’s wonderful. I’m happy for you both. Honestly, I’d say I wanted to hand you off at the wedding.” she added with a teasing smile, “But that’s Big Sis Akari’s job. She’s the one demanding you get married for longest time.”

I gasped, "Mother is so pushy." Enuma chuckled, "Just be glad you are her son, if you were Akari's enemy... It is dreadful..." which I replied to Enuma, "Such a small woman and a healer. What is so dreadful about her?" I saw the dread in Enuma's eye. "Think about how scary I am in our duels, and yet I am just a ghostly spirit. Now picture a healer that can predict my methods. Yet heal to make the torture repeat... endlessly." I gasped, "Ehh? So wicked."

The day was calm, beautiful, and full of simple pleasures—nothing profound, just the comfort of each other’s company and the knowledge that, amidst all the chaos and uncertainty. Sadie interlocked her arm in with mine. There were moments like this worth holding onto.

As they continued their stroll, Sadie looked up at the horizon, a gentle sigh escaping her lips. “Sometimes, it’s not about grand battles or big victories. It’s about the small things—enjoying the calm, the peace, and knowing that, for today, everything is okay.”

Terran squeezed her hand softly, feeling the truth in her words. Together, they watched the sunset color the sky, knowing that whatever the future held, these quiet moments were what truly made life meaningful.