Morning in Lavis arrived gently, as if the city itself didn't want to say goodbye.
The canals shimmered under soft sunlight, vendors arranged flowers along the bridges, and the distant silhouette of Lavis Tower stood quiet and elegant behind them.
Yuki turned one last time before mounting the horse.
"Bye, Lavis!" she waved dramatically. "Thank you for being romantic!"
Sun adjusted their bags. "You're thanking a city again."
"It worked last time. The house didn't burn."
He shook his head with a faint smile.
Before leaving, they wandered through the marketplace, buying small items—dried fruits, herbs, a warm cloak for colder regions, and a tiny crystal pendant Yuki secretly bought and later hung on Sun's belt without telling him.
When he noticed it, he raised an eyebrow.
"What's this?"
She smiled innocently. "Protection charm."
"You just wanted an excuse to decorate me."
"…Maybe."
They left Lavis behind with light hearts.
The road toward Ragon curved through hills and open fields. The weather was calm, birds scattered from trees as their horses passed, and for a while it felt like nothing in the world could disturb them.
Then—
A shout.
Metal clashing.
A frightened scream.
Sun's eyes sharpened instantly.
Ahead on the road, a merchant cart was surrounded by bandits. Four men with rough clothes and crude weapons were trying to drag supplies away while two others held the driver down.
Yuki's expression changed immediately.
No more playful smile.
Only calm determination.
"Together?" she asked.
"Always," he replied.
They didn't hesitate.
Sun jumped off the horse first, drawing his blade in one smooth motion. Yuki followed close behind, her movements light but precise.
One bandit rushed toward Sun recklessly.
It lasted less than five seconds.
A clean strike.
Disarmed.
Down.
Another tried to grab Yuki from behind, underestimating her completely.
She ducked.
Spun.
And struck the back of his knees before lightly knocking him unconscious.
"Never grab a lady," she muttered.
Two more attacked together. Sun stepped forward, blocking one blade while kicking the other aside. Yuki slipped between them, landing a quick hit to one's wrist before Sun finished the second with a firm but controlled strike.
Within minutes—
Silence.
The remaining bandits fled in panic.
Sun exhaled slowly and turned to check on the cart.
The driver, an older man with kind eyes, stared at them in shock.
"You… you saved us."
Yuki smiled warmly. "Of course. You were being very loudly attacked."
The villagers behind the cart bowed deeply.
"Please," the old man insisted, "come to our village. Let us thank you properly."
Sun glanced at Yuki.
She was already nodding enthusiastically.
"We accept."
The village lay just a little off the main road.
It was called Crystal Village.
And the name fit perfectly.
Small crystal formations grew naturally around the area, catching sunlight and scattering it in rainbow colors across rooftops and pathways. The houses were simple but charming, built with pale stone and wood.
Children ran toward them first.
"You're heroes!" one shouted.
Yuki blinked. "We are?"
"Yes! You defeated the bad guys!"
She looked at Sun proudly. "See? We're famous."
He sighed softly. "For today."
The villagers insisted they stay. They prepared warm food, fresh bread, and sweet tea. Everyone gathered around to hear what happened.
Yuki exaggerated the story slightly.
"And then," she said dramatically, "Sun flew through the air like a legendary warrior—"
"I did not."
"—and I gracefully knocked out three men with one move."
"You knocked out one."
She smiled sweetly. "Details."
The villagers laughed.
That evening, they were given a small empty house to stay in for a few days.
It was modest but cozy. A single bed, wooden table, small window overlooking crystal fields.
Yuki walked inside and spun around.
"It's cute!"
Sun placed their bags down. "Temporary."
"Temporary can still be nice."
She opened the window and light poured in, reflecting off the crystals outside like scattered stars.
That night, they sat outside with villagers around a small bonfire. Stories were shared, music played, and children begged Yuki to teach them how to "fight like earlier."
She crouched down seriously.
"Step one: never pick fights with strangers."
The children nodded solemnly.
Sun watched her quietly.
She fit anywhere.
City.
Village.
Tower.
Boat.
She brought warmth with her.
The next morning, the village hosted small games in their honor.
There was archery.
Yuki insisted Sun participate.
He shot calmly and hit near the center.
The villagers cheered.
She clapped dramatically. "That's my kitty!"
He nearly dropped the bow.
"Not here," he muttered.
She grinned victoriously.
Then there was a balancing game over a narrow wooden beam placed above soft hay.
Yuki challenged him.
"If I win, you carry me back to the house."
"If I win?"
She thought for a second.
"…You still carry me back."
"That's unfair."
She laughed.
She lost balance first.
He caught her before she fell.
She blinked up at him.
"…You did that on purpose."
"No."
"You didn't want me to fall."
He said nothing.
She smiled softly.
Later, they walked through the crystal fields alone.
Sun reached for her hand without thinking.
She intertwined her fingers with his naturally.
"Thank you," she said suddenly.
"For what?"
"For letting us stop here."
He looked at her.
"You wanted to."
"Yes."
"And you saved those people."
He nodded slightly.
She stopped walking and turned to face him.
"You're happiest when you help others."
He paused.
"…Maybe."
She smiled gently. "That's one of the reasons I love you."
His expression softened.
He brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"And I love that you see things I don't."
Her heart fluttered.
They leaned closer—
And shared a quiet kiss beneath the crystal reflections.
Simple.
Soft.
Full of peace.
That evening, villagers invited them for a small dinner in gratitude.
An elderly woman teased Yuki openly.
"You hold his arm too tightly."
Yuki blinked. "Do I?"
"Yes."
Sun replied calmly, "I don't mind."
The old woman laughed. "Good answer."
After two peaceful days, it was time to leave.
The villagers gathered to say goodbye.
The old driver bowed deeply. "You'll always have a place here."
Yuki hugged several children tightly.
"Train properly!" she reminded them.
Sun mounted the horse and extended a hand to her.
She took it, smiling.
As they rode away, the crystals shimmered one last time behind them.
Ahead, mountains rose tall and majestic.
Ragon.
The mountain city.
Stone structures built along cliffs, narrow winding paths carved into rock, banners fluttering high in cold wind.
Yuki leaned slightly against him on the horse.
"New city," she whispered.
"New memories," he replied.
She smiled softly.
"Kitty."
He sighed faintly—but didn't argue.
The mountains stood strong before them.
And together—
They rode forward.
Into the next chapter of their journey.