Under the blue sky, the grass spread lush and green, and a jewel-like lake lay at the heart of the forest, its surface rippling gently in the breeze.
The cheerful chirping of birds filled the air as streaks of light descended from the sky, landing on a mountain at the forest's edge.
"Riku! Shubi-chan!"
Crimson hair fluttering in the wind, Chlone rushed to embrace Riku and Shubi. She held them close and whispered, "Welcome home!"
"Yes. Chlone... Sis, we're back."
Holding Chlone in a gentle hug, Riku smiled at the villagers slowly emerging from the cave, "We're home!"
"Welcome back!!!"
Loud cheers erupted, and the people crowded into the clearing, inhaling the fresh air. Many had never felt such a wind before, nor seen the blue sky that stretched above them. Tears streamed down their faces as they looked upwards. From birth, they had hidden like mice in crevices and underground, never imagining they would see a sight like this.
"Riku, you really did it," Chlone said, wiping her tears. She patted Riku and Shubi on the head, smiling, "Thank you both for your hard work."
Standing up straight, Chlone bowed deeply towards Riku, Shubi, and all those behind them, her voice filled with emotion as she shouted, "Thank you all! Thank you for ending this eternal war and letting us live beneath the sunlight! Thank you!"
"Thank you!" echoed everyone, bowing as one.
Infinite, standing amongst them, nodded gently, "I only did what I believed was right."
"Yeah, yeah! Everyone, please stand up!" Touma Kamijou looked flustered. He'd never received this kind of gratitude before and felt he was merely doing his duty.
He stepped forward, joined by Keqing, Lumine, and others, helping people to their feet.
With her small hand, Klee carefully lifted a little girl with purple hair. Smiling, she said, "Little sister, get up. What's your name? My name is Klee."
"Klee?" The young girl, Nina, gazed up at the elf-eared Klee with wide purple eyes and asked hesitantly, "Is the war really over? Will there no longer be sacrifices like my father?"
"Mm-hmm!" Klee nodded seriously, looking into Nina's eyes. "No more bad things will happen! Even if they do, I'll be here to drive them away!"
"Oh, right!" Klee suddenly remembered. She turned and pulled out her small red backpack, quickly retrieving a fuzzy doll, and presented it to Nina. "This is a Dodoco that I made myself, just like the one my mom made for me. You can have it! If bad guys ever come, you just throw it at them—bam! They'll get beaten just like that!"
Nina gingerly took the strange, cute plush, her face showing a small smile as she looked at Klee. "Thank you. I'll cherish it. My name is Nina, Klee."
"Nice to meet you, Nina!" Klee grabbed Nina's hand in excitement, pointing towards the big lake below them. "Let's go fish-blasting together! We'll catch some fish for Brother Hiroshi and Big Brother Shirou to cook. Their fish dishes are the best!"
"Uh…" Nina looked at the vast lake, taking in a scene she'd never witnessed before. Feeling Klee's tight grip on her hand, she nodded slightly. "I don't really know what that is, but if you want to go, then let's go."
"Sister," Riku called, watching as Nina ran off, pulled along by Klee. He turned to Chlone, holding Shubi's hand, and said with a smile, "I want to marry Shubi."
"What?!" Chlone's eyes widened with joy as she looked at Riku and Shubi. "Really, Riku? You and Shubi-chan are finally getting married?! That's amazing! I'll start preparing right away!"
After giving another deep bow to Infinite and the others, Chlone happily dashed back towards the cave to start the arrangements.
Shirou Emiya and Hiroshi exchanged a smile. They stepped up and patted Riku's shoulder, saying in unison, "Then leave the food to us!"
With that, they pulled Kazuma Sato along, flying down into the forest below, already discussing the menu they would prepare.
"We'll help set up the wedding venue!" Lumine said, giving Riku a thumbs-up and patting her chest. "Leave it to us!"
She pulled nearby Kuroneko and Keqing to her side, smiling at Megumin and Aqua. "Come on! This is Shubi-chan's wedding—let's make sure it's perfect!"
"Shubi-chan, look forward to it!" The girls exchanged a knowing smile, giving Shubi a wink before running off to prepare for the ceremony.
As most of the group dashed off, Venti and Kizaru looked around with a shrug.
"Guess we'll wait here and attend the wedding," Venti said lazily.
"Not so fast, Venti!" Lumine reappeared in a flash of green light, grabbing Venti by the collar before he could slip away. She gave Kizaru a smile before dragging Venti off.
Kizaru shook his head, glancing at Zhongli, who quietly watched the newborn world. The light shimmered on Kizaru's face as he walked to a tree, leaned against its trunk, and closed his eyes with a relaxed sigh.
Everyone around him was now busy preparing. The look in their eyes had changed. No longer were they dull and devoid of hope; they now shone with purpose. Kizaru gazed at the bright sky, humming an old childhood tune under the sunlight.
"Then let me prepare outfits for both of you," Vanir said with a gentlemanly bow, facing Riku and Shubi. "It'll be something you'll both remember for the rest of your lives."
"Riku-brother, my master and I will also go prepare a wedding present for you." Luo Xiaohei beamed, waving at Riku as he tugged Infinite forward. It was his first time attending a wedding, and excitement coursed through him.
Infinite smiled softly as he was pulled along, admiring the beauty of the new world. He picked up Luo Xiaohei, who was eagerly running ahead, and a flying sword appeared beneath his feet, carrying them both into the sky like a white flash.
Riku held Shubi's hand tightly and whispered, "I truly appreciate everyone's help. Shubi, I feel very blessed right now."
"Riku, Shubi feels the same way." Shubi looked up at the sky, its azure blue stretching out, decorated with slowly drifting clouds. Riku gently pulled Shubi into his embrace, watching the world they had saved with everyone's help. He said softly, "We'll be there for everyone, always."
"Yes. Shubi also believes that," Shubi replied.
The newly reborn Disbord was about to host the first wedding ceremony of its kind—a wedding brought together by the very people who saved this world.
This would be the very first wedding celebration in this new world, brought forth by friends, a testament to hope and unity.