Heroes of Etheron

The afternoon sun beamed softly through the windows of their new home in Veilden. Arriel was cleaning his sword, while Lira sat cross-legged on the couch reading a spellbook. Kael lay sprawled out on a rug, tossing a small apple into the air and catching it lazily.

Out of nowhere, Kael sat up.

"Let's go to the beach," he announced.

Arriel and Lira both paused and stared at him.

"...What?" Arriel blinked.

"I'm serious," Kael said, now standing. "Paranea. The sea. Waves. Sunshine. Let's go."

Lira narrowed her eyes. "You've never suggested anything like that. What happened?"

Kael grinned. "I met a girl."

That got their attention.

"At the market this morning," he continued, pacing dramatically. "Blonde hair, green eyes, skin like moonlight. Her name's Elaine. She's the daughter of a merchant named Roshain. They're heading back to Paranea in two days."

"You talked to her?" Arriel asked.

"Not only that—I asked her father if he needed an escort back home. He agreed. I volunteered all of us. He'll pay."

Lira looked unimpressed. "You used us for your love story?"

Kael pressed his hands together. "Come on. Please? Think of it as a job… with a view."

Arriel scratched his cheek and sighed. "Fine. As long as we get paid."

Lira rolled her eyes. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood."

---

Two days later, they stood at the gates of Veilden, facing a convoy of hover wagons. Elaine gave a small, elegant wave from beside her father. Roshain, a sturdy man with graying hair and a sharp eye, greeted them with nods.

"Protect us from monsters or bandits," he said. "Standard pay."

"Understood," Arriel replied.

Elaine smiled sweetly at Kael. "Glad you came."

Kael turned pink.

The journey to Paranea was uneventful. The hover wagons moved slowly across the countryside, buzzing softly with the hum of cheap mana engines. A few small monsters approached, but Lira handled them with quick spells before they even reached the caravan.

Arriel and Kael kept alert, but it was clear Lira was in her element.

By evening, the salty scent of the sea filled the air. Paranea emerged over a coastal rise—white stone buildings, narrow alleys, bustling port docks, and beyond them, the shimmering ocean.

---

Roshain handed over their payment—2,000 Git each—once they arrived at their estate. "Thank you. Simple job, but good timing."

Elaine stepped forward. "I'd love to show you around, if you're not too tired."

Kael nearly tripped in excitement.

They explored the vibrant town. Street performers juggled beside spice markets. Magic lanterns floated lazily over food stalls selling grilled fish and shellfruit. Sailors shouted across the docks as ships unloaded goods from distant towns.

Then came the beach.

The waves rolled in gently under a setting sun. Elaine and Lira disappeared behind a changing curtain, while Arriel and Kael quickly changed into their swim shorts.

Elaine emerged in a modest seashell-patterned swimsuit that somehow made Kael's jaw slacken. Lira wore a frilly light blue two-piece and looked more annoyed at the sand than anything.

Kael leaned toward Arriel and whispered, "I swear. I'll get rich. I'll save enough Git and marry her someday."

Arriel smiled. "It's good to have a goal."

They ran into the waves, splashing water and laughing. Elaine joined them, diving under the foam, while Lira stood at first waist-deep, watching cautiously. Eventually, she gave in and tackled Arriel from behind with a splash.

They swam until dusk, then sat on the sand, watching the sun slip below the horizon. The moment was warm, peaceful, and filled with laughter.

---

The day they're back in Veilden, at night, Kael lay in his bed hugging a pillow.

"Elaine... Elaine..." he whispered over and over.

"Will he keep doing that all night?" Lira asked from the hallway, visibly exhausted.

Arriel poked his head in from his room. "Just ignore him. He'll fall asleep eventually."

Kael hugged the pillow tighter. "I'm going to write her a letter... maybe two letters…"

Lira didn't say another word. She simply cast Sleep without warning.

A quiet hum of magic filled the room, and Kael's voice cut off mid-word as he collapsed into peaceful slumber.

Arriel chuckled, walking back to his room. "He's serious, huh."

Lira folded her arms with a faint smile. "He better be. I don't want him dragging us across the country for a maybe."

But neither of them minded. After everything they had gone through—the war, the monsters, the death—it was good to be reminded that joy still existed in Etheron.

And for now, they'd take the peace where they could find it.