We left the Arcane City shortly after dawn.
The sky was still clear, with thin clouds scattered on the horizon. The soft sunlight illuminated the city's tall towers as we walked toward the main gate.
It felt strange to leave.
During the time we had spent there, that place had become part of our routine. The streets full of magic, the arcane circles engraved in the stones, the towers that seemed to touch the sky.
Lyannis was the first to look back.
"I'll miss this place."
Rai'kanna walked beside her with a calm expression.
"I won't."
Lyannis smiled.
"Of course not."
Elara observed the towers in the distance.
"Even so, it was an important experience."
Liriel nodded.
"Here we learned something that would probably take us years to discover on our own."
Vespera followed in silence, as always, but her eyes also looked at the city one last time.
I paused for a moment before crossing the gate.
The Arcane City's towers gleamed with magical energy.
Some mana particles still floated in the air around the structures.
I took a deep breath.
The training was over.
But its impact would remain.
We returned to the road leading south.
The journey to Vailor would take a few days, but the path now seemed simpler than when we had left.
Perhaps because we were all different now.
During the first day of travel, we spoke little.
Each of us seemed to reflect on what we had learned.
On the second day, we encountered some caravans heading toward the Arcane City.
Merchants.
Scholars.
Magic apprentices.
All spoke about the fame of that place.
Lyannis talked with a few of them for several minutes before we returned to the road.
On the third day, the landscape began to feel familiar.
The forests near Vailor appeared on the horizon.
Rai'kanna stretched her arms.
"Finally home."
Liriel smiled slightly.
"It's good to be back."
Elara watched the path ahead.
"The mansion should be exactly as we left it."
When we finally reached the city gates, the sun was already descending in the sky.
Vailor seemed calm.
The city's routine continued as usual.
Some adventurers walked toward the guild.
Merchants were closing their shops.
Children ran through the streets.
Nothing seemed different.
But we were.
We headed straight for the mansion.
When I crossed the main gate of the estate, I felt a familiar sensation.
That place really was our home now.
The garden trees swayed in the afternoon wind.
Some dry leaves moved across the stone floor.
Lyannis walked to the veranda.
"I had forgotten how peaceful this place is."
Rai'kanna placed her sword on the outdoor table.
"After so many travels, it's good to rest a little."
Elara observed the garden carefully.
"Here we can also continue training."
Liriel nodded.
"Mana control needs to be maintained."
Vespera walked to one of the trees and leaned against it silently.
I stayed on the veranda, watching the sky slowly darken.
The journey was over.
The Arcane City arc had come to an end.
I brought my hand to the sword on my back.
I slowly drew the blade.
The metal reflected the dim light of the evening.
The Cyclops Stone glowed with a soft light.
I looked at the sword for a few seconds.
Since the beginning of this journey, that weapon had been a mystery.
It had reacted on its own.
It had awakened a power I did not understand.
Now things were different.
I could feel the mana flowing through the blade.
It was as if the sword was connected to me.
I closed my eyes for a moment.
And then I heard it.
A voice.
Low.
Distant.
But clear.
"Hero…"
My eyes opened immediately.
I looked around.
The garden was silent.
The others were talking a few meters behind.
The voice echoed again inside my mind.
"Finally."
I gripped the sword more tightly.
The Cyclops Stone glowed a little more intensely.
"Now we are one."
My heart raced.
The voice came from the sword.
For a few seconds, I remained motionless.
Then the crystal's light slowly dimmed.
The blade returned to its normal glow.
I took a deep breath.
I didn't tell anyone at that moment.
I simply sheathed the sword again.
Later that night, I went to my room.
The fatigue from the journey finally hit.
I lay on the bed and closed my eyes.
Sleep came quickly.
But then the dream began.
I was in a dark field.
The sky was covered by red clouds.
A heavy presence dominated the atmosphere.
A figure appeared before me.
Tall.
Covered in black armor marked with demonic symbols.
Eyes glowing like embers.
He smiled.
A cold smile.
"So, you are the hero."
The voice was deep.
Heavy.
"Interesting."
I tried to move, but my body didn't respond.
The demon stepped forward.
The energy around him felt overwhelming.
"Prepare yourself."
He raised his hand slowly.
"Prepare to die."
The presence vanished.
I woke up immediately.
The room was silent.
The moonlight illuminated the interior of the mansion through the window.
I took a deep breath.
My heart was still racing.
I looked at the sword leaning against the wall.
The Cyclops Stone glowed faintly in the darkness.
Something was coming.
And this time, the battle would be even greater.
As the night advanced over Vailor, a new chapter of our story began to take shape.