The winds over Pearlbay had calmed, but the silence that followed was heavier than the storm. The sea was still dark, its surface trembling faintly as if mourning the lives it had taken. The shard site was now sealed, ringed with sigils that glowed faintly blue under the hands of the Eclipse Vanguard who stood before them.

Kaito Yagami.

Affinity: Wave.

His control of motion and momentum was said to rival the sea itself. The mere presence of him stilled the waves, the air, even hearts.

Khael and the others stood at the cliff's edge, the ocean's salt brushing their faces. The Veinwalker banners behind them fluttered, faintly torn from battle.

Kaito turned, his silver-blue cloak rippling like water. His gaze lingered briefly on Khael.

"Let me take care of this… Khael Corzedar."

His voice was calm but carried the kind of weight that could drown an army.

Khael inclined his head respectfully. "We'll leave it to you, Sir Kaito, Eclipse Vanguard."

Kaito raised his hand slightly an unspoken command and the ocean seemed to pause. "This is the first time we actually met," he said, his tone soft but measured. "I only saw you once… during the mock battle, three years ago."

Khael smiled faintly. "Me too. I saw you from afar but never had the chance to speak."

A ripple of warmth passed through the group as Kaen stepped forward, eyes wide with admiration. "Kaito-sensei!"

Kaito's lips quirked upward. "Kaen… You've grown stronger than before, haven't you?"

Kaen scratched his cheek, grinning. "Heh. Been through hell, but yeah, I'd say so."

Kaito's gaze drifted toward Rael. The two exchanged silent respect, warriors who didn't need words. Kaito nodded. "Same as you… Rael Eluron. And also you, Lira Valenne."

Lira straightened, still bruised from the last fight but unbowed. "It's good to see you again, sir."

Then his eyes moved to Ceyla and Juno, the storm and the calm, side by side.

"Ceyla Nox. Juno Arkai. You both have changed. Power doesn't just grow in you, it echoes through you."

Ceyla flicked a spark of lightning from her fingers, smirking. "That's natural."

Juno chuckled lightly. "Thanks to my master Vince's guidance, Sir Kaito."

For a moment, the sea breeze felt softer like the world itself was exhaling.

Khael turned back to the team, his expression solemn but warm. "Seems like we're heading back to Veyl Academy… to report to Master Isen."

Rael adjusted his sword, glancing toward the sealed horizon. "Feels strange leaving without finishing the fight."

Kaen shrugged. "That's because the real fight hasn't started yet."

Lira smiled faintly, but her eyes carried worry. "Then let's make sure we're ready when it does."

As they prepared to leave, Elder Moe approached them—his half-scaled skin glistening under the soft dawn light, saltwater still dripping from his barnacled hands. His yellow eyes shone with sincerity.

"Dragon Knight," he said, voice thick and low, "we will never forget what you did for us."

The weight of those words lingered longer than any storm.

Khael placed a hand over his chest, bowing slightly. "Protect Pearlbay, Elder Moe. We only did what we had to do."

Elder Moe's lips twitched a rare smile forming amidst the cracks of his weathered face. "Then I pray you do what you must again when the time comes. The waves remember."

Kaito turned to Khael once more, his cloak whispering like the tide behind him. The morning sun framed him in pale gold, a living tidebreaker between chaos and calm.

"Take care of your team, Dragon Knight," he said quietly. "You remind me of someone I once fought beside."

Khael blinked, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Who?"

For a moment, something unguarded crossed Kaito's face, a shadow of a memory too deep to resurface. Then, with a faint, almost wistful smile, he said:

"He died a long time ago."

Khael lowered his gaze slightly. "Oh… I'm sorry to hear that."

Kaito exhaled softly, looking toward the horizon where the ocean met the sky. "It's fine. The sea takes what it must. See you, Khael Corzedar… and Kaen Suro."

Kaen nodded firmly. "We'll make sure your effort here won't be wasted, sir."

Kaito's expression softened. "Good. Then maybe this time, the waves will carry hope instead of loss."

As the Eclipse Vanguard turned back to the sea, Elder Neria approached Khael and the others. Her silken robes swayed like the tides, eyes gleaming with pride and sorrow.

"Dragon Knight," she said, holding out a small, glimmering object. "Take this."

Khael caught it gently, an armament forged from pearlsteel and imbued with faint veins of blue light. It pulsed once in his palm, resonating with his Shinrei.

"An Armament of the Tide," Neria said softly. "May it guard your resolve, as it once guarded our shores."

Khael bowed deeply. "Thank you, Elder Neria. I'll carry it with honor."

Before they could turn to leave, three familiar figures came running down the stone path—Toren, Lys, and Kiro.

The twins waved excitedly, still dusty from helping with the village repairs, while the youngest of them, Kiro, stopped in front of Kaen his round eyes shining like polished shells.

"Big brother Kaen!" he said, almost shouting.

Kaen blinked, startled and then broke into a grin. "Kiro… you're here, huh?"

Kiro nodded eagerly. "I promise I'll become stronger—like you!"

Ceyla smirked. "He's already got your stubbornness."

Kaen scratched the back of his head, half-embarrassed, half-proud. "Guess I've got a mini fan now."

Khael chuckled under his breath. "He's got good taste."

Elder Moe rumbled a laugh, his scaled shoulders shaking. "Then maybe one day, we'll have another Suro protecting Pearlbay."

Kiro puffed out his chest. "You bet!"

The group shared one last look of warmth, exhaustion, and unspoken promise. Then, as the wind rolled in from the sea, they turned toward the long road back to Veyl.

Kaito watched them go, eyes narrowing slightly against the light. (The tide carries them now… just like it once carried us.)

He lifted his hand, and the sea bowed again.

Behind him, the waves whispered names of the fallen,

while ahead Khael and his team walked toward the next storm,

their hearts steady, their bonds stronger than ever.

The Farewell was not an ending.

It was a promise, the calm before destiny called once more.

To be continue

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