By the time they reached the gates of Estrelle, a light breeze kicked up the morning dust. The city looked untouched by battle, its towers untouched, its people going about their lives with practiced elegance. It felt surreal, stepping into its calm after the storm.
By the time they reached her estate, their wounds had been seen to, at least enough to function. The household, already in a flurry of preparation, bowed quickly at Nyla's arrival. Her father, changed into fresh clothes, gave the group a nod of acknowledgment.
"You can't attend a party looking like that," he said, eyes scanning their travel-worn gear. "Come. The wardrobe wing is open to you."
Toni raised a brow. "Wardrobe… wing?"
"I knew rich people were dramatic," Rika muttered as they followed.
What greeted them was a cathedral of fashion, walls of velvet, crystal light fixtures, mannequins dressed like royalty, fabrics that shimmered when you walked by.
Toni's jaw dropped. "I'm gonna cook in here friends."
"You better," Rika said, grabbing a crimson suit with gold trim. "Because I'm about to end fashion itself."
"I accept your challenge."
Nanami drifted toward a quiet corner, finding something simple: a soft cream-colored dress with silver embroidery. She held it up, smiled faintly. "This'll do."
Dante shrugged, grabbing something comfortable but stylish. "Not like I'm out to impress nobles."
Kaito hesitated, but eventually chose a deep navy ensemble that echoed the flow of battle gear, structured but elegant, simple with just a thread of silver running down the sleeves.
He emerged last, and for a brief moment, Nyla just stared at him.
"...You clean up well," she said, lips curving into a soft smile.
"Thank you," he replied.
The estate lit up with lanterns and soft music as night fell. The ballroom shimmered, and guests poured in, diplomats, merchant heirs, nobles draped in finery.
But amidst the glamour, it was the group of ragtag fighters that drew eyes.
Kaito and Nyla sat together at a high table, her fingers brushing the stem of her glass. "So," she said, turning to him with a playful glint, "tell me something."
"Anything."
"What did it feel like? When you became that?"
He thought for a moment, eyes distant.
"Like... I wasn't fighting alone anymore. Like everything I ever ran from just... caught up and stood with me instead."
She nodded slowly, letting the silence sit.
"How were your adventures, you must've been through a lot." Nyla asks.
As Kaito explained all his adventures so far. The hunter, the graith, Meeting Nanami, Toni, Everything he'd done and she happily listened.
Then she stood, clinked her glass. "Everyone! As the birthday girl, I'm officially declaring the start of tonight's duo dance competition! Winner gets a chest of rare gems, and a custom weapon commission!"
Cheers rippled through the room.
Rika perked up from across the room, her head snapping toward Kaito like a hound on the scent. "Dibs!" she shouted, grabbing his hand. "I'll teach you to dance!"
"REALLY?!" Kaito stumbled. Happily ready to dance.
"You want to win, right? We got synergy!"
Toni had found his way to the orchestra, of course.
"Mind if I...."
Before they could stop him, he was already on the strings, improvising a lively rhythm. The music exploded into life, faster, wilder, the entire party's energy lifted on his beat.
Nanami sat off to the side, happily munching snacks. "Too many people," she said to herself, scooping another handful of candied nuts. "Not my scene."
Dante lingered near a pillar, eyeing the crowd with discomfort. Rika caught him trying to melt into the wallpaper.
"Oh no you don't."
"What?"
"Come on, dance. It's not like these people will remember you."
He hesitated. "I don't know…"
Rika pantomimed dancing with the air again.
"I swear," Dante muttered, "you're so annoying."
"And yet you're still here."
Eventually, she grabbed his sleeve. He sighed.
"Fine. Just, don't make a scene."
And then, the floor belonged to them.
Rika twirled, laughing. Kaito did his best to follow her lead. Dante moved awkwardly at first, but relaxed. Soon, the three of them were dancing, laughing, alive in a way that made the ruins of the day feel like distant history.
Nanami watched them with a soft smile.
Toni plucked a final note on the string, looking out over the party with a satisfied nod.
Nyla, standing to the side now, watched them all, his friends, the chaos, the laughter, and felt something warm settle in her chest.
Maybe it wasn't over.
But for the first time in a long time, it felt like they were winning something more important than a fight.
Toni had found his way to a group of old generals sipping brandy by the fountain.
"So, in your opinion," one said, polishing his monocle, "what's the most efficient offensive enchantment for battlefield morale?"
Toni sipped his punch. "A bass drop."
The generals blinked.
"With lightning. And maybe a screaming eagle."
He snapped his fingers, "oh and maybe a rock guitar!"
They stared at him in stunned silence.
"…You're not wrong," one admitted, reluctantly impressed.
Nanami stood at the snack table when a refined older lady approached her.
"Young lady, are you with that group?" she asked, gesturing at the others.
Nanami nodded, mouth full.
The woman sniffed. "And what role do you play?"
Nanami blinked. "I handle the intelect side of things."
"…I see."
"Also I can turn my arms into blasters."
The woman choked on her champagne.
Rika had somehow roped herself into a conversation with two overly dressed noble heirs.
"You must be a dancer," one of them said, trying to be charming.
"Oh, I fight," she replied. "Dancing's just violence in rhythm."
"Oh," said the second heir, clearly out of his depth. "That's… poetic?"
"Poetic?" Rika laughed, then casually kicked a decorative spear off the wall and caught it. "Buddy, I once spun-kicked a giant worm."
They both looked faintly terrified.
She winked and walked away. "Try not to trip in your shoes, princes."
Dante was backed into a quiet corner by a curious scribe.
"So you've traveled with Kaito a long time, right?" the scribe asked. "What's his lineage? Magical bloodline? Noble house?"
Dante sipped his drink slowly. "He's from... far away."
"Far away where?"
"Very... secluded."
"So no famous family?"
Dante stared at him. "He's just Kaito."
The scribe blinked. "That's mysterious."
"Sure is."
Kaito, for his part, sat near the edge of the room with Nyla, nursing a bruised shoulder and enjoying the momentary calm.
"You look tense," she said, elbowing him.
He chuckled. "Just making sure no one says anything dumb."
She arched an eyebrow. "About you?"
He nodded, a little too quickly. "I've got... a reputation for chaos, remember?"
She studied him for a moment, then smiled. "Well, you're doing a great job looking mysterious and broody."
"I aim to please."