"Lucan?" Her voice trembles, barely audible over the café's music.
The man looks up, his eyes finding hers. It's Lucan, but there's an air of weariness about him that wasn't there before. His once bright eyes seem clouded with stories untold, and his stance, though still firm, carries the weight of years she can't account for.
"It's been a long time, Clara," he says, approaching her table.
She stands abruptly, her chair scraping the floor. The two stand inches apart, eyes locked, a myriad of emotions passing between them. Memories of battles fought together, of laughter and tears shared, and a bond that once seemed unbreakable.
"But how? The last I knew, you...even now you didn't want to reveal to me your face" She trails off, unable to voice the painful memory of his apparent demise.
Lucan nods, understanding her unspoken words. "I was lost, but not in the way you believe. The shadow realm, it's... complicated. Time doesn't flow there as it does here."
She frowns, piecing together his fragmented explanation. "You were trapped?"
"In a way, yes. But it allowed me to see things, Clara. Patterns, connections. The shadows aren't just in our world; they're everywhere. And they're growing stronger."
She swallows, memories of their battles against the shadows rushing back. "What does this mean?"
"It means the fight isn't over." Lucan's gaze sharpens. "And I've come back to help you finish it."
Clara's determination flares. "Then let's face them together, as we always have."
Their hands meet, fingers intertwining, sealing a pact that transcends realms. As the café's ambience fades into the background, the duo is once again united, ready to stand against the looming darkness.