The night in Teralia was calm.
Soft magical lights floated outside their hotel window, drifting slowly like glowing fireflies. The city had quieted after the excitement of the tournament, leaving behind a peaceful silence.
Inside their room, Yuki sat cross-legged on the bed, counting gold coins with full concentration.
"One… two… three… four…"
Sun leaned against the wall, arms folded, watching her with amusement.
"You've counted that three times already."
She didn't look up. "I don't trust numbers unless I confirm them personally."
"It's five thousand. It won't change."
She finally glanced at him.
"What if it magically increases?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Then I'll support your habit."
She grinned.
Before she could continue, there was a knock on the door.
Sun straightened slightly.
"Who is it?"
A calm voice replied, "It's Ard."
Yuki's counting stopped instantly.
"my final opponent?" she whispered.
Sun walked to the door and opened it.
Ard stood there—not in battle armor this time, but in simple dark clothing. His expression was serious.
"Can I come in?"
Sun nodded.
---
They sat across from him quietly.
Yuki tilted her head slightly. "You didn't come for a rematch, right?"
Ard shook his head faintly. "No."
His voice carried something different now.
Not pride.
Not challenge.
Concern.
"I came to ask for help."
Sun's expression changed.
"What kind of help?"
Ard exhaled slowly.
"My homeland… is about to be invaded."
Silence filled the room.
"What country?" Sun asked.
"Sun Land."
Yuki blinked. "That's a nice name."
Ard gave a small, tired smile. "It is. And it's worth protecting."
He continued.
"A kingdom named Blackthorn is preparing to attack. Their army is strong. Ruthless. If they succeed…"
He paused.
"…my country will fall."
Yuki's playful expression faded completely.
Sun leaned forward slightly. "Why us?"
Ard met his eyes directly.
"Because I saw your strength."
Then he looked at both of them.
"And more importantly… I saw your hearts."
The room went quiet again.
Yuki glanced at Sun.
He didn't answer immediately.
Helping meant danger.
War.
Leaving their peaceful journey behind.
Ard lowered his head slightly.
"I will do anything you ask. Anything."
His voice wasn't desperate.
It was sincere.
Full of love for his homeland.
Sun closed his eyes briefly.
Then looked at Yuki.
She nodded gently.
That was enough.
Sun turned back to Ard.
"We'll help."
Relief flooded Ard's face instantly.
"Thank you."
---
"Sun Land is on another continent," Ard explained. "We'll need a way to cross the sea quickly."
Sun thought for a moment.
"We had a dragon once… Drago."
Yuki's expression softened.
"But… he was killed by demons."
A brief silence passed.
Ard nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Then he added—
"I can arrange another one."
Yuki's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yes. It won't be easy, but I know someone who can help us find one."
She looked at Sun, her excitement returning instantly.
"We're getting a dragon again."
He smiled faintly. "Looks like it."
---
The Voyage Begins
A few days later, they stood at the docks.
A large ship waited before them—strong, wide, built for long journeys across open seas.
The waves moved calmly beneath it.
The sky stretched endlessly above.
"Ready?" Ard asked.
Sun nodded.
Yuki stepped forward confidently.
"Adventure continues."
They boarded.
---
The journey across the sea was long.
But not dull.
The ocean changed every day—sometimes calm and shining like glass, sometimes wild and restless under strong winds.
Yuki loved every moment of it.
She leaned over the railing constantly.
"Sun, look!"
"I'm looking."
"Look more."
"I can't look more than this."
She laughed.
At night, they sat on the deck under the stars.
The sky felt closer here.
Brighter.
Endless.
One evening, Yuki stood quietly near the front of the ship.
The wind moved her hair gently.
The sea stretched dark and infinite ahead.
"Sun," she called softly.
He walked toward her.
"What is it?"
She turned, eyes shining.
"Come here."
He stepped beside her.
Then she took his hands.
And placed them around her waist.
He froze slightly.
"…Yuki?"
"Just trust me."
She stepped forward carefully, standing at the very edge of the ship.
The wind rushed past them.
The sea roared below.
She spread her arms wide.
"Like this."
Sun understood instantly.
"…You're recreating something."
She smiled.
"From your memories."
He tightened his hold on her instinctively.
"Don't fall."
"I won't."
The ship cut through the waves.
The wind carried her laughter.
He leaned slightly closer behind her.
Their bodies aligned.
Her back against his chest.
His arms steady around her.
For a moment—
Time stopped.
"This feels… amazing," she whispered.
"It does."
She turned her head slightly.
"Say something romantic."
He sighed softly.
"You always demand it."
"Yes."
He thought for a moment.
Then spoke quietly—
"If this moment never ends… I wouldn't mind."
Her heart melted instantly.
"You're getting better."
"I had a good teacher."
She smiled softly.
Then leaned back into him completely.
The ocean stretched before them.
Endless.
Free.
And for once—
They weren't running from anything.
They were moving toward something.
Together.
---
Days passed with laughter and quiet peace.
They shared meals on deck.
Argued playfully over food.
"Give me that."
"You already ate yours."
"I want yours too."
"That's not how sharing works."
"That's exactly how it works."
She stole it anyway.
At night, she sometimes fell asleep leaning against him.
He didn't move.
Not even once.
One evening, she whispered sleepily—
"Kitty…"
He smiled faintly.
"Yes?"
"…Don't go anywhere."
"I won't."
---
After many days—
Land appeared.
At first, just a faint line.
Then slowly—
A breathtaking sight.
Sun Land.
Golden fields stretched across rolling hills.
Rivers shimmered like flowing light.
Forests stood tall and green, untouched and pure.
And in the distance—
A grand city shone under sunlight, its towers glowing softly like they were made of gold.
Yuki's breath caught.
"…This is…"
Sun stared silently.
"…Beautiful."
Ard stood beside them, a faint smile on his face.
"Welcome to my home."
The ship approached the shore slowly.
Warm wind carried the scent of earth and sunlight.
For the first time in a long while—
This didn't feel like just another destination.
It felt like something important was about to begin.
Yuki looked at Sun.
He looked back at her.
No words needed.
They both knew.
This journey—
Was about to change everything.