For the first time in days…
there was no battle.
No collapsing skies.
No alarms echoing through shattered dimensions.
No monsters clawing their way into the world.
Only silence.
The temporary station of the Dimensional Union floated high above the ruined surface of Earth, surrounded by streams of drifting light and distant stars. Inside, the atmosphere felt strangely warm compared to the chaos below.
The long central hall had finally quieted after dinner.
Weapons rested against walls instead of being held tightly in exhausted hands.
Even the tension between the dimensional soldiers and the main group had eased—slightly.
Zack stretched lazily across one of the seats.
"This is boring."
Lexia raised an eyebrow.
"We survived a dimensional war six hours ago."
"Exactly," Zack replied. "Which means we deserve entertainment."
Marley sighed immediately.
"That sentence alone worries me."
But Zack suddenly sat upright with excitement.
"I have an idea."
"That worries me more," Shadow muttered from the corner.
Zack ignored him completely.
"One question each. Total honesty. No avoiding answers."
Sid laughed quietly.
"This should end terribly."
"Perfect," Zack said proudly.
Lexia crossed her arms.
"Fine. Start."
Zack pointed at her instantly.
"If you weren't a fighter… what would you be?"
Lexia answered without hesitation:
"A mercenary."
Zack blinked.
"That's still fighting."
"Yes," she replied calmly. "But with better payment."
A burst of laughter spread through the room.
Even Marley smiled faintly.
"Your turn," Lexia said, pointing back at Zack.
He leaned back dramatically.
"What is my greatest fear?"
"No one asked that," Alfred said flatly.
Zack ignored him again.
"My greatest fear… is dying before becoming incredibly famous."
Shadow looked genuinely disappointed.
"That is somehow worse than I expected."
The laughter grew louder.
For a little while—
they almost looked normal.
Not warriors carrying the fate of worlds.
Just people.
Nearby, Violet stood beside one of the massive windows overlooking Earth below.
The planet still carried scars of war—dark regions, broken skies, distant storms of dimensional energy.
But from up here…
it almost looked peaceful.
Footsteps approached quietly behind her.
Maximilian.
He had removed most of his armor for the first time in days, leaving only dark combat clothing beneath. Without the armor, he looked less like an unstoppable commander…
and more human.
Violet glanced at him briefly.
"You should be resting."
"So should you."
A faint smile crossed her face.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Violet quietly asked:
"Are you afraid?"
Maximilian looked toward the Earth below.
Not answering immediately.
When he finally spoke, his voice was calm.
"Only when I imagine losing all of you."
Violet's expression softened slightly.
He rarely spoke honestly about himself.
Which made moments like this feel heavier than battles.
Before she could answer—
Zack suddenly shouted from across the room:
"Careful! If you two keep staring at each other like that, the station's going to explode from emotional pressure!"
Lexia nearly choked laughing.
Even Sid covered his face, trying not to smile.
Maximilian slowly looked toward Zack.
"That was your final warning."
"Worth it," Zack replied immediately.
Marley shook her head.
"I cannot believe these are the people protecting dimensions."
"They're emotionally unstable," Shadow added.
Lenore walked over and sat beside him quietly.
"You're included in that group too."
"I'm clearly the only sane person here."
"No," she replied softly. "You're just the loneliest."
Shadow actually paused after hearing that.
A rare silence.
Then he looked away.
"…Annoying observation."
Lenore smiled faintly.
Near the center of the hall, Sid suddenly stood.
"Since everyone still has energy…"
Marley narrowed her eyes.
"No."
"Yes," Sid continued confidently. "Friendly combat training."
Lexia stood instantly.
"Now you're speaking properly."
Zack pointed dramatically.
"Lexia versus literally anyone."
"Careful," Lexia replied while drawing her blade slightly. "I might choose you first."
"That sounds deeply unfair."
The room slowly filled with movement again.
Not war.
Not survival.
Just noise.
Laughter.
Voices.
Life.
For the first time in a long while, the crushing weight on their shoulders seemed lighter.
Even if only for one night.
Later—
the station lights dimmed slightly as artificial night settled across the massive structure.
Most had finally gone quiet.
Violet stood alone near the observation window once more.
Far below, Earth turned slowly beneath drifting clouds and broken atmospheric scars.
Silent.
Beautiful.
Fragile.
Then—
something flashed.
A distant red light.
Far below within one of the ruined continents.
It pulsed once.
Then vanished.
Violet narrowed her eyes slightly.
Behind her, a voice emerged from the darkness.
Shadow.
"So…" he said quietly.
"It's begun moving."
The warmth of the night suddenly disappeared.
And somewhere deep below