静かな日
After all the stressful events, Ryu and Lyra finally decided to return to their hometown. The journey was silent, each lost in their own thoughts. The sky began to change color, from pitch black to a tinge of orange that signaled the imminent arrival of dawn.
Ryu glanced at Lyra beside him, seeing the exhaustion that radiated from her face. However, there was something different in her eyes—a newfound courage after all they had been through together. Lyra turned to Ryu, giving him a small, warm smile even though she herself knew the burden they were carrying.
When they entered the city limits, they were greeted by a scene of silence. The city that was usually bustling with activity now felt eerily quiet. Several buildings looked damaged from the previous attack, but there were signs of life—survivors were starting to come out of hiding, trying to return to their daily routines.
In the middle of town, Ryu and Lyra stopped for a moment. They saw an old man helping a small child repair his small stall. On the other side, several residents gathered, working together to clean up the rubble. Despite the devastation the city had endured, there was a sense of community that made everything feel more alive.
Lyra took a deep breath, smelling the wet earth after the brief rain that had fallen last night. “Ryu,” she said softly, “do you think we can really live in peace after all this?”
Ryu looked ahead, his eyes sharp but calm. “I don’t know, Lyra. But as long as we’re here, we have to keep trying.” He squeezed her hand tightly. “I promise, I’ll protect you, and this city.”
Lyra smiled, but her eyes held a doubt that she didn’t express. After all, the threat they had faced earlier—a self-proclaimed God—still left a deep scar on her. Still, she chose to trust Ryu, in his strength and determination.
They eventually reached a small house that still stood strong despite the cracks in the walls. It felt like a last refuge amidst all the chaos. Ryu opened the door, letting Lyra in first. They then sat in the living room, basking in the simple yet meaningful warmth.
That night, for the first time in a long time, they could sleep more peacefully. Even though the threat was still out there, they knew that as long as they were together, they would always have the strength to survive.
