"I won't fall!" she said, just before almost tripping on a slick plank.

Rhys caught her by the wrist, steadying her. "Told you so."

Lyra looked up at him, a little breathless, then laughed softly. "You did."

By the time they reached the end of the bridge, Aria had collapsed onto a stone bench, laughing uncontrollably. "Okay—okay, fine, Caria wins this time."

Caria stood beside her, hands on her knees, catching her breath. "Finally! About time you admit it."

Sophia arrived last, arms crossed. "You're all insane."

Aria leaned back, grinning. "Maybe. But admit it—you had fun."

Sophia paused, then sighed. "...A little."

Rhys and Lyra joined them, both smiling. Around them, the park glowed brighter as the moon rose higher. The pools of light shimmered in rhythm with the tide, and faint mana-bubbles floated through the air, bursting in soft sparks of color.

Lyra gazed at one drifting close to her hand, her expression calm and curious. "It feels like the sea is dreaming," she murmured.

Rhys sat beside her, watching the lights reflect in her eyes. "If it is," he said quietly, "it's a good dream."

Aria clapped once, breaking the calm. "Alright, enough quiet moments! Who's up for the glowing carousel next? I heard it plays sea shanties when it spins!"

Caria groaned. "You just want to ride the giant dolphin again."

Aria grinned shamelessly. "Obviously."

Sophia facepalmed, muttering something about never getting a peaceful night, but she followed anyway.

Rhys stood, chuckling as Lyra looked at him curiously. "A dolphin?" she asked.

He shrugged. "You'll see."

They walked deeper into the Sea Park, where the path curved around glowing pools and coral sculptures that shimmered with soft magic. The air smelled faintly of salt and citrus, and distant music—light, playful notes from shell-shaped instruments—drifted across the breeze.

Ahead stood the carousel Aria had mentioned: a wide, floating platform surrounded by gentle waves, its surface made of polished coral that glowed beneath the moonlight. Instead of horses, it had carved sea creatures—dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and even tiny dragons of foam—each moving as if alive, gliding through the air as the carousel slowly spun.

"Wow…" Lyra breathed, eyes wide. "They move like real ones."

Aria hopped onto the nearest dolphin before anyone else could. "Because they are partly real! The enchantments use spirit fragments from the bay." She held up a glowing token to pay the ride's fee, and the carousel responded with a soft chime. "Now hurry before I take the best one!"

Caria rolled her eyes but climbed onto a manta ray. "Every one of them's the same, Aria."

"Lies and jealousy!" Aria declared proudly.

Sophia chose a sea turtle and crossed her legs calmly, pretending to be unbothered as the creature started floating upward. "At least this one doesn't move too fast."

Rhys smirked, then turned to Lyra. "Go on. Pick one."

Lyra looked hesitant at first, her eyes darting between the glowing creatures before settling on a pale, crystalline seahorse. It shimmered faintly like moonlight on calm waves. She stepped forward and placed her hand on its mane—the seahorse nuzzled her palm, responding as if it recognized her touch.

"It likes you," Rhys said softly, smiling.

Lyra glanced back at him, her expression warm. "It's gentle. Like the sea when it's quiet."

Rhys chose a manta beside hers, the smooth surface glowing faint blue beneath his hands. The carousel began to spin slowly, lifting each of them into the air. Music rose around them—soft chimes and watery echoes, like songs sung beneath the tide.

Aria whooped loudly as her dolphin leapt higher, spinning in lazy circles. "Now this is living!"

Caria laughed, unable to hide her grin. "You're going to fall off one of these days."

"Then I'll fall stylishly!"

Sophia just shook her head, though a smile tugged at her lips.

As the carousel rotated, Rhys looked toward Lyra. She was watching the horizon, where moonlight spilled across the water like liquid silver. Her expression was peaceful, her hair lifting slightly with the breeze.

"You're smiling," Rhys said quietly.

Lyra turned her head, eyes bright. "It's the first time in a long while that the sea feels like home."

For a while, they rode in silence—just laughter, waves, and glowing light. When the carousel finally slowed to a stop, Aria stretched her arms with satisfaction. "Alright, that settles it. Tomorrow, we hit the market—best jewelry and charms in the city!"

Caria groaned playfully. "You mean you're going shopping while we carry your bags."

Aria winked. "Exactly."

Sophia exhaled through a small laugh. "At least she's honest about it."

Rhys stepped off his manta, helping Lyra down from her seahorse. "You think you'll like the market?" he asked.

She tilted her head thoughtfully. "If it sings like this place does… then yes."

Aria clapped her hands together. "Perfect! Then it's settled. Market trip at dawn!"

Caria smirked. "You're not waking me up before noon."

"Oh, you will," Aria said, grinning wickedly. "Or I'll drag you."

Sophia groaned quietly. "There goes my sleep."

Aria grinned wider. "Heroes don't sleep—we celebrate victories!"

Caria raised an eyebrow. "You mean you celebrate while the rest of us suffer."

"Details," Aria said with a dismissive wave, already striding toward the park's exit.

Rhys chuckled, falling into step behind them. "You really don't slow down, do you?"

Aria turned around, walking backward as her hair glowed under the lantern light. "Please. Life's short—gotta enjoy it while we're not getting eaten by dungeon bosses."

Sophia sighed. "That's… technically true."

Lyra followed quietly beside Rhys, her gaze lingering on the glowing pools as they passed. "Humans really know how to make the sea dance," she said softly. "It's strange, but beautiful."

Rhys smiled faintly. "Yeah. They like to leave their mark wherever they go."

She nodded slowly, then looked toward him. "Do you?"

He blinked. "Do I what?"

"Leave a mark," she said simply.

Rhys thought about it for a moment, then shrugged. "Maybe. I just… go where the path leads, I guess."

Lyra hummed thoughtfully. "Then perhaps the sea will remember you anyway."

Before he could respond, Aria called back, "Hey! Lovebirds! Less walking, more moving! The market's not gonna wait for our beauty sleep!"

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