The new world bloomed fast, but some wounds didn't heal with sunlight.
Haru Cyrius found Clara one quiet evening on a cliff overlooking the reborn Holy Territory of Serenastra—rolling green hills, white temples half-rebuilt, air smelling of fresh herbs and distant sea. She sat alone, holy spear across her lap, staring at an old locket in her hand. Golden hair caught sunset fire, but her gentle eyes were stormy—tears silent on cheeks.
Haru approached slow, celestial aura dim soft. "Hey… you okay?"
Clara wiped face quick, forcing smile. "Yeah. Just… thinking."
He sat beside her—no words first. Partners knew when silence spoke louder.
Then the flashback pulled them both in—Clara's backstory expanding deep, vivid as the day it happened.
Fifteen years ago. Small village in Serenastra borders. Two sisters raised in a quiet healing temple—big sister Elena, bright laugh, always protecting little Clara from bullies. Clara, shy kid with knack for light magic, idolized Elena. "When I grow up, I'll heal everyone like you!"
Then the curse hit.
Black fog rolled one night—no warning. Divine punishment rumor spread, but Clara knew better. Fog twisted people slow—skin cracking, pain endless, souls trapped alive. Elena caught it shielding Clara from the mist.
Temple priests panicked. "Only the Arena's divine wish can break a god-curse this deep."
Elena, bedridden, hair falling, smile fading but voice strong: "Clara… promise me. Live happy. Don't chase miracles for me."
Clara, ten years old, tears flooding: "No! I'll save you! I'll enter when I'm old enough. I'll win!"
Elena weak grip. "Silly girl… don't throw life away for mine."
But Clara trained secret—spear in fields, light magic till fingers bled. Years blurred. Elena frozen in curse sleep—alive, dreaming pain. Temple kept her hidden, "divine test."
Clara grew fierce under gentle mask. When Arena summoned, she volunteered fast—zero hesitation.
Flashback deepened: Night before summoning, Clara snuck to Elena's crystal bed. Sister unchanged—beautiful, trapped.
Clara whispered tears. "I'm going. I'll bring the wish. Wake up smiling, okay?"
She kissed forehead—light glowing soft promise.
Back to cliff present.
Clara opened locket—picture inside: Young her and Elena laughing in temple garden.
Haru listened silent, fist clenched. "You never told me… how heavy it was."
Clara voice crack. "Didn't want pity. Wanted strength. But now gods gone, devourer dead… where's my wish?"
Haru put arm around her—partners close. "We make our own miracles now."
But fate wasn't done.
Ground trembled soft. Light pulsed from Serenastra temples—holy energy wild.
Clara stood fast, spear glowing instinctive. "That's… the old sanctuary."
They ran—Haru celestial boosting steps, Clara leading.
Survivors noticed—Core Rebels rallying, Sky Healers flying cover, Lunar Frost Wardens weaving paths.
They reached the central temple—ruins now blooming unnatural light.
Inside: Crystal bed where Elena slept… cracking.
Black fog leaked faint—but reversing, sucked back into light shards floating up.
Clara froze tears. "Sister…?"
Crystal shattered gentle.
Elena opened eyes—color returned, hair golden flow. Weak, but breathing real.
"Clara…?"
Clara dropped spear, ran—hugged fierce, sobs shaking both.
"You're… awake?"
Elena smiled soft, voice hoarse but alive. "Felt you fighting… all the way. Gods gone… curse broke with them."
Haru watched tears—celestial aura wrapping warm protect.
Survivors gathered outside—cheers mythic, auras linking celebration rainbow.
Clara pulled back, laughing through sobs. "Told you I'd save you."
Elena touched her face. "You saved everyone, silly girl."
Haru grinned big. "Welcome to the free world, Elena."
The sisters hugged again—holy light blooming gentle around them.
New alliances felt it—ripples of hope spreading dynamic.
One curse down… many more to break.
But tonight? Just family.