The forest was serene, wrapped in the quiet whispers of wind weaving through the trees. Golden sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground as Reya walked slowly along the path. Her heart should have been at peace—the battle against Orion was over, and the world she had fought to protect was safe. But despite the tranquil beauty of the forest, a sense of unease clung to her, as though something was unfinished.
Her thoughts drifted to Vidar, Asha, and the many allies they had lost and gained in the struggle. Each step carried the weight of those memories, the sacrifices that had been made. Reya wondered what her purpose would be now. The echoes still thrummed within her, their power quieter but ever present. She had fought for so long—what would life be without the next battle?
Suddenly, the air around her shimmered, like heat rising from the ground, and a familiar presence filled the space. Reya stopped, her hand instinctively moving toward the echoes that she could still summon, though she knew there was no danger here. She had felt this presence before.
From the shimmering air, the Seren materialized, its radiant form glowing softly in the light of the forest. Its eyes, ancient and wise, held her gaze, and a gentle smile played on its lips. Reya exhaled slowly, already sensing that this meeting would mark another turning point in her life.
"Reya," the Seren spoke, its voice soft but powerful, carrying the weight of ages. "You have brought peace to this world, and for that, it will forever be grateful. But there is something else you must know."
Reya blinked, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Something else?" she asked, her voice uncertain. "But the fight is over. Orion is defeated. Isn't this where I belong now?"
The Seren's smile was kind, but there was a knowing sadness in its eyes. "This timeline, the one you have helped save, is indeed at peace. You have done more than anyone could have asked of you. But it is not your home."
Reya's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a sudden tightening in her chest. "Not my home…?" she repeated, the realization slowly dawning on her. "You mean… my original timeline…?"
The Seren nodded slowly. "Yes. The world from which you were first plucked. That world, too, faced its own threat, but that threat has passed. It is a world of peace now, and it calls for your return."
Reya stepped back, her mind racing. She hadn't thought of her original timeline in so long, not since the fight against Orion had consumed every part of her. She had come to accept that she might never go back, that this world, this fight, was her new reality. But now…
"I don't understand," Reya said, shaking her head. "Why now? After everything here, why ask me to leave this world? What would I even do in a world that no longer needs fighting?"
The Seren moved closer, its form radiating warmth and reassurance. "The people in your original timeline have found peace, but peace is not something that can be left to grow unattended. They need a guide, Reya. Someone who has seen the cost of war and knows the value of peace. Your journey here has ended, but in your own world, you are needed again—not as a warrior, but as a protector, a nurturer of that peace."
Reya turned away, staring into the dense trees around her. She had fought so hard to bring peace to this world, and now it felt like her place. Leaving felt like abandoning a part of herself. "I've built a life here," she murmured, more to herself than to the Seren. "I've fought for this world… how can I just walk away?"
The Seren was silent for a moment, watching her with patience. Then, it spoke again, its tone gentle but firm. "You fought for this world, Reya. You sacrificed, you bled, and because of you, it will thrive. But this world no longer needs you in the way it once did. The echoes have settled, the darkness has been pushed back. Your allies here will carry forward the legacy you've helped create. It is time for you to fulfill another purpose."
Reya clenched her fists, her emotions warring inside her. She thought of Vidar, Asha, and the battles they had fought together. She thought of the world she had come to love, a world that had nearly fallen into darkness. Could she really leave it all behind?
"What if I stay?" she asked, turning to face the Seren again, her voice filled with uncertainty. "What if I choose to remain here? There's still work to be done…"
The Seren's eyes softened, and it stepped forward, placing a glowing hand gently on her shoulder. "Reya, staying would mean holding on to a past that no longer needs you. Your path in this timeline has reached its conclusion. But your journey is not over. In your own world, the echoes await you. The people there need your wisdom, your strength, and your guidance."
Reya closed her eyes, the weight of the Seren's words settling over her like a cloak. Her mind was torn between the past she had lived here and the future that awaited her in a world she had left behind. She could feel the echoes pulsing within her, urging her toward this new path, even though part of her wanted to resist.
"What kind of life would I have there?" Reya asked quietly, her voice trembling slightly. "If there's no war, no battles to fight… what would I do?"
The Seren's smile grew warmer, and its eyes glimmered with understanding. "You would live, Reya. You would guide. You would show those who have never known war how to cherish peace. You would be a protector—not of land or battlefields, but of the future. A future that you fought to create, and that now needs you to help it grow."
Reya let out a slow breath, the tension in her body beginning to release. She could see it now—a life without war, without the constant threat of darkness. A life where she could help rebuild, teach others, and nurture the peace she had fought so hard to win. It was a different kind of strength, one she hadn't known she would need.
"Do you believe I'm ready for this?" Reya asked, her voice soft.
The Seren's light seemed to grow brighter, and its voice was filled with certainty. "You are more than ready, Reya. You have proven yourself time and time again, not just as a warrior, but as someone who understands the true meaning of sacrifice and hope. Now, it is time for you to take that knowledge home, where it will be needed most."
Reya stood still for a moment, her mind finally quiet, the echoes within her humming in agreement. She turned back to the Seren, her decision made. "I will go. I will return home."
The Seren bowed its head slightly in acknowledgment. "Then your journey continues, Reya. But this time, it will be one of peace."
As the air shimmered around her once again, Reya cast one last glance at the world she was leaving behind. The peace she had fought for here would endure, she knew that now. And though she would miss it, she was ready for what lay ahead.
With a deep breath, Reya stepped forward, letting the Seren's light envelop her. The forest, the echoes, and the world she had saved faded away, replaced by the path that would lead her home—a home she had once thought lost, but now, finally, was calling her back.