The afternoon wind moved across the fields of the Kythera Era, gently swaying the grass as the sun descended behind the mountains.
Raizen sat at the top of a hill, watching the horizon. Above the palm of his hand floated a small spark of magical energy, glowing softly.
It wasn't a powerful spell, just a simple trick he used when he wanted to think.
Then he heard footsteps approaching along the path.
A familiar voice broke the silence.
Aeris: You always do that when you're alone.
Raizen let the spark fade away and smiled without turning around.
Raizen: And you always show up when I least expect you?
Aeris walked to the top of the hill and sat beside him.
Aeris: I didn't just show up… I was looking for you.
Raizen: Oh really?
Aeris: Yes. I knew you would be here.
The wind blew softly between them as they looked over the landscape of Kythera.
Raizen: Then tell me… what was so important that you had to come all the way up here?
Aeris: Do you remember when we used to sit in the park as kids, watching the mountains?
Raizen looked at her with a faint smile.
Aeris: I think this moment feels… a little like that.
Raizen remained silent for a few seconds, staring at the horizon.
Raizen: Yeah… those were good times.
The wind blew softly across the hill, moving the grass around them.
Raizen: But now…
Raizen lowered his gaze for a moment.
Raizen: Now we're living in the Kythera Era. There are wars between mages… and disasters that appear without warning.
Aeris watched him in silence.
Aeris: Maybe the world is changing… but this place is still the same.
Raizen looked around the hill. The grass moved with the wind and the mountains still stood there, as calm as ever.
Raizen: I wish things were that simple.
Aeris: What do you mean?
Raizen: I keep hearing more rumors. Mages disappearing… cities destroyed by magical storms… some even talk about wars between clans.
Aeris lowered her gaze for a moment.
Aeris: My father has been worried lately too.
Raizen: Did he tell you anything?
Aeris shook her head.
Aeris: Not directly… but I can tell.
The wind blew harder.
For a few seconds, both of them stayed silent.
Raizen: Aeris…
Aeris: Yes?
Raizen: If one day things get worse… if this war reaches this place…
Raizen hesitated before finishing his sentence.
Raizen: Promise me you'll stay safe.
Aeris looked at him, surprised.
Aeris: Is that what you're worried about?
Raizen: Of course it is.
Aeris smiled softly.
Aeris: Then you promise me something too.
Raizen: What?
Aeris: No matter what happens… you won't change.
Raizen frowned slightly.
Raizen: Change?
Aeris: Yes.
Aeris looked toward the mountains.
Aeris: Because I know the world can become dark… but you're not like that.
Raizen didn't respond.
He simply stared at the horizon in silence.
Raizen: That would only happen… if something truly terrible occurred.
Aeris looked at him calmly.
Aeris: Listen to me, love… even if one day our village disappeared…
Aeris smiled gently.
Aeris: as long as we're together, everything will be fine.
Raizen remained silent.
Raizen (thinking): That's not what I meant…
Raizen lowered his gaze for a moment.
Raizen (thinking): The thing that truly matters… is you.
The wind blew again across the hill.
Aeris stood up and brushed the grass off her clothes.
Aeris: Why don't we go back to the village?
Aeris smiled playfully.
Aeris: The children are waiting for you.
Raizen blinked, as if he had forgotten something important.
Raizen: That's right… I almost forgot.
Raizen stood up as well.
The wind blew one last time, gently moving their hair as the sun began to disappear behind the mountains.
Aeris: Come on. I still have work to do.
Raizen looked at her curiously.
Raizen: Work?
Aeris nodded with a small smile.
Aeris: I need to finish an order. An adventurer requested a crystal sword imbued with solar energy.
Raizen stood up from the grass and stretched his arms.
Raizen: Alright… let's go.
Both of them slowly walked down the hill toward the village.
In the world of the Kythera Era, magic was not the only thing that defined a person's strength. There were mages capable of manipulating ancient energies, swordsmen who mastered legendary techniques, monarchs with absolute authority, and humanoid creatures from countless races living in the same world.
Raizen was a mage.
Aeris, on the other hand, was a magical archer and the village's blacksmith, known for crafting special weapons for adventurers who traveled across the continent.
In battle, they formed a great team.
Although, in terms of power, Raizen knew he was still weaker than her.
Even so, that had never really bothered him.
As they walked back toward the village, both of them shared the same silent promise.
To protect that place…and the people who lived there.