Valeora is a small yet vibrant place, deeply rich in tradition and culture.
Autumn of the Year 1001 After the Oath Circle
The morning sky is clear and cloudless.
A cool breeze carries the scent of ripening rice.
In the village square of Valeora, the townspeople gather.
There are no grand flower arrangements.
There is no magnificent altar.
Only caring people.
Only close family.
And only love chosen freely without coercion.
Jeanne stands in a simple white dress adorned with woven leaves and wildflowers arranged by the village children.
Flowers of blue iris are tucked into her hair, symbolizing enduring beauty and faithful love.
For a moment, memories flood her mind. She recalls the first time she saw Caelan, captivated by his genuine smile in the fields. The laughter of children echoes, reminding her of the happy moments they shared, exchanging stories and dreams under the moonlight. That feeling, deeply rooted in her heart, strengthens her resolve for today and serves as a reminder of the profound love that has blossomed between them.
In front of her stands Caelan, dressed in his best farmer's attire.
His face is nervous yet joyful.
"Jeanne Fate," said the village elder who was leading the ceremony, "Do you choose to walk alongside Caelan Arwyn,
in joy and sorrow, in harvest and lean seasons, not out of obligation but from the depths of your heart?"
"I choose," Jeanne answered with a trembling voice. Doubts whispered within her, recalling the days when she felt lost, when hope seemed buried beneath laughter and tears. "But am I enough?" she questioned herself. Yet, as she gazed into Caelan's eyes, she found the strength to remain resolute.
"Caelan Arwyn," the elder continued, "Do you choose to walk alongside Jeanne,
not as a guardian of the world,
but as a friend and partner in this simple life?"
"I choose," Caelan responded, gazing into Jeanne's eyes and feeling their hearts resonate in a synergy beyond words. He recalled the difficult times and suffering that had shaped them both. "There were moments when I doubted, but without you, my life felt empty," he confessed inwardly, striving to convey the depth of his commitment.
A low rumble was heard — not magic,
but the warm applause of neighbors and village children.
Caelan slid the ring he had crafted himself onto Jeanne's finger. This ring was not merely metal; every scratch served as a reminder of their long journey — a symbol of a dream that had once been vague but was now realized.
"I never imagined I could find this happiness after all that we've been through," Jeanne whispered, feeling the warmth of tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. She thought about all the sacrifices they had made, how their love had flourished amid pain and hope. Laughter and music seeped into her soul, accompanying her in this transitional moment.
"I never imagined that the woman I love is a living legend, and so strong in the hearts of everyone who knows her," Caelan replied.
"But I don't care who you were in the past.
I care about who you are with me now, and the new story we are writing together.
On a night filled with soft laughter, a small party was held in celebration of love and community.
But beneath the surface, there was something she buried deep within; amidst the crowd, Jeanne felt she had to let go of the part of herself that craved freedom, yet her heart was firmly tied to Caelan. She understood that this choice was the hardest decision she had ever made, and despite feeling grateful, there would always be a residue of memories lurking in the shadows of the past.
After the party ended and the moon climbed high in the sky, Joanna pulled Jeanne aside to the riverbank where they had often conversed as children.
"Sister..." Joanna began.
"I've been thinking about it.
Now you have your life with Caelan.
I don't want to disrupt that."
"I think... it's time for me to wander again."
"Maybe to the eastern continent.
Or following the great river until we reach the uncharted ocean."
Jeanne stared at her sister, her heart tightening.
In the corner of her mind, she recalled their childhood days, walking side by side in the village, collecting wildflowers and sharing secrets beneath the large tree. All those memories now felt like blurred images dancing before her eyes, touching her soul.
"Joan... do you really want to leave me?"
"It's not that I don't love you, sis.
But I want you to live freely.
But I want you to live freely, without me always by your side, overshadowing your new life and adventures.
She remembered how they always shared laughter, even amidst the sadness that had once separated them. Joanna's hand would often pat her back, offering encouragement on the darkest days, and those moments reminded her just how strong their bond was — intertwined by love and unforgettable memories.
I don't want to be a burden to your happiness."
Jeanne pulled Joanna into a tight embrace, filling the space between them with warmth and the tension of pain. In that hug, the outside world seemed to vanish, leaving only the sound of their beating hearts. At one moment, Jeanne smiled as she recalled their beautiful memories, but the joy quickly faded as thoughts of the impending separation crept in. "Joan, I want you to know that whatever decision you make, I will support you," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"Joan... please don't go."
"I have already lost everyone.
Mother. Maria. All our friends."
"For hundreds of years, only you have always walked beside me.
I could let go of the world's will.
I could let go of Nexus.
I could even let go of Excalibur if the time comes.
But I cannot let go of you."
In that embrace, Jeanne experienced Joanna's warmth, and a flood of sweet memories washed over her—joyful smiles as they played in the meadow, laughter shared over storytelling beneath the starlight, and moments of support during hardship.
"We have always talked about free will and how every decision we make can change the course of our lives,"
But now, I want to choose to hold on to what is most precious to me."
"You are my treasure, above all else."
Joanna returned her sister's embrace, her shoulders trembling with emotion. She recalled Jeanne's words from the past when they were dreaming together. Back then, freedom had seemed much simpler—merely about aspirations, not the poignant realities of loss.
"I just don't want to hinder your happiness."
"My happiness is seeing you every day.
Hearing you rant about your old pajamas.
Helping you write your daily journal.
It's not living without your presence."
"I didn't choose a life with Caelan to leave you behind.
I chose this life so that the three of us could share these little joys."
Under the starlight, Jeanne made a vow unbound by any magic or obligation. In those moments, she remembered the promises they made as children—a constant reminder of the commitment and love woven into their bond through the years.
"I, Jeanne Fate Arwyn,
am no longer the guardian of the Continuum or a witness to the great world."
"I choose to be Joanna's sister.
Caelan's wife.
And a part of this small, meaningful life."
"I will not let you go, Jo.
Because this time... I choose not to part."
Joanna looked down, tears streaming down her cheeks. In her heart, flashes of memories from the past emerged—when they used to run through the flower fields, laughing and sharing secrets. At that time, the world felt so vast and infinite. Yet now, the weight of their decision hung over them like a dark cloud. Each tear that fell was a reflection of the fear of losing, the fear of the reality that the choices they made could change everything.
"Okay, sis...
I will stay.
I will stay with you."
And that night, the two sisters who once guarded the great world chose to embrace a smaller world filled with love and shared moments.
With a warm embrace, these two souls strengthened one another. Outside, the gentle wind seemed to sing for them, conveying hopes for the new life they would share together. Joanna felt her heartbeat in sync with her sister's, and in that beautiful moment, they knew that their love, commitment, and family ties would be the foundation for a future filled with happiness.