The sun rose over Niriven City, casting golden light upon the ruins left in the wake of the devastating war. Smoke still curled from the wreckage, and the scent of scorched metal and debris filled the air. However, amidst the destruction, signs of recovery had already begun. Construction workers swarmed the city, clearing rubble and rebuilding what had been lost.
Michael stood atop a half-destroyed building, watching the efforts below. The battle had ended, but he still felt the echoes of it in his bones. The bloodshed, the destruction, and the chaos—it had all been overwhelming. Yet, despite his usual detached nature, something about the sight of people working together to rebuild stirred something within him.
"Michael," a voice called from behind.
He turned to see Leon approaching, his long coat swaying in the morning breeze. His expression was calm yet resolute. "The guild has fully accepted you now. You're officially an Empowered Knight."
Michael scoffed slightly, adjusting his mask. "Didn't think they'd let a 'madman' like me in."
Leon smirked. "You proved yourself in battle. Even those who doubted you saw what you did out there. Taking down Big Metal was no small feat."
Michael glanced at his hand, still stained with remnants of oil and blood from his fallen foes. "Hmph. Guess I should feel honored."
Leon clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Just don't let it get to your head. You're strong, but you're not invincible."
Michael let out a dry chuckle. "We'll see about that."
Leon nodded before turning to leave. "Get some rest, Michael. You've earned it."
Michael entered his room within the guild headquarters. It was sparse—just a bed, a desk, and a single window overlooking the rebuilding city. He sighed, sitting on the edge of his bed and running a hand through his hair. The exhaustion of the battle finally caught up to him.
A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. He turned as Ember stepped inside, her diamond-studded outfit catching the dim light of the room. Her usual calm demeanor was present, but there was something different in her eyes—something distant.
"Ember? What do you want?" Michael asked, tilting his head.
She hesitated for a moment before closing the door behind her. "I wanted to talk."
Michael raised a brow. "About?"
She took a seat on the chair across from him, her fingers idly tracing the edges of the diamond plating on her arm. "About my past."
Michael blinked. "You don't seem like the type to share personal stories."
She let out a soft chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "I don't. But I feel like… you of all people might understand."
Michael leaned back slightly, arms crossed. "Alright. Let's hear it."
Ember's gaze drifted to the window as she began. "I wasn't always a warrior. Before I died, I was just a normal girl, living in a small town outside of Niriven. My parents… they were good people. My mother was a healer, my father a blacksmith. We weren't wealthy, but we were happy."
Her voice wavered slightly, and Michael could tell she was holding something back.
"Then the Fallen Beasts came."
Michael remained silent, letting her continue.
"It was a massacre. Our town was defenseless. The guild never arrived in time. I watched as those creatures tore through my home, my family…" Her hands clenched into fists. "I remember seeing my mother trying to protect me. She used her healing powers to keep me alive as long as she could. But healing magic… it doesn't work well on yourself. She bled out in front of me."
Michael felt a pang in his chest. He knew loss, but hearing it from someone else—it was different.
"And then," she continued, "I died. One of the beasts struck me down. Everything went dark. But when I opened my eyes again, I was Reborn. And suddenly, I had these powers—this light, this diamond armor. But what was the point? Everyone I loved was gone. The only thing left for me was revenge."
She looked at Michael now, her usually calm eyes now filled with raw emotion. "That's why I fight. Not for glory. Not for titles. Just so no one else has to go through what I did."
Michael let her words sink in before he spoke. "So… what now? Do you think revenge will make the pain go away?"
Ember smiled sadly. "I don't know. But it's the only thing keeping me going."
Silence filled the room. Then, in a rare moment of sincerity, Michael spoke. "I'm sorry."
Ember blinked, surprised. "You? Apologizing? Didn't think you had that in you."
Michael shrugged. "Maybe I don't. But I get it. More than you think."
Ember studied him for a moment before standing up. "Thanks for listening."
As she walked to the door, she paused, turning back toward him. Then, without warning, she leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on his cheek.
Michael stiffened, caught completely off guard. "The hell was that?"
Ember smirked. "Consider it a thank you."
And with that, she left, leaving Michael sitting there, his mask slightly askew, as he processed what just happened.
Outside, the city continued to rebuild, but within that small room, something had changed between them.