Everything was finally back in its place.
Shinji and Vuri slumped against a wooden table, their backs aching but their hearts light. From the first light of dawn until the sun began its descent, they had scrubbed every corner of the eatery—mopping floors, uprighting broken furniture, and repairing the shattered remains of the kitchen.
The chaos had vanished. In its place was the familiar, humble warmth of the shop, a small sanctuary once again.
From across the way, Auntie Maya approached. Seeing that Vuri's temper had finally cooled, she let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head.
"You really are a reckless old fool," she teased. "Did you truly think you could take them all on by yourself?"
Vuri merely let out a gruff huff, refusing to dignify the question with an answer.
As the afternoon light stretched across the floor, the time came for Shinji to move on. He stood up, his expression a mix of youthful nerves and newfound resolve.
"Mr. Vuri, Auntie Maya... I'm heading out. The warrior entrance exams begin this evening."
Vuri studied the boy for a long moment, then let out a boisterous, hearty laugh.
"Good! Go and show them what you're made of. Just make sure you come back here for a free meal once you've passed."
Maya smiled warmly, stepping toward him. "Do you know the way, Shinji? Here, I've prepared a map for you."
The sky that evening was breathtaking. Even though they were deep beneath the earth, the artificial sunset painted the city in shades of soft amber and romantic violet.
Vuri looked up at the glowing ceiling of their world, his voice quiet. "That light... Ares created that, Shinji. Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yes," Shinji whispered, mesmerized. "It really is."
But no matter how beautiful the view, the moment of parting had arrived. Shinji adjusted his cloak and gathered his meager belongings, ready to face his future.
Maya stepped forward to hand him the map, but Vuri suddenly cut in, snatching it from her hand.
"Move aside, woman. Let me see the boy off properly."
He walked Shinji toward the door and pressed the map into his hand. But as he did, he leaned in close, secretly sliding two silver coins into Shinji's palm. He pressed the boy's fingers shut over the money, gesturing for him to stay silent.
"Don't tell her," Vuri whispered gruffly. "Take it. A warrior can't fight on an empty stomach."
Behind them, Maya narrowed her eyes and grumbled under her breath.
"That old man... he doesn't have a penny to his name, yet here he is acting like a big shot..."
Vuri let out a booming laugh.
"Hahaha! Forget it! As long as the kid is happy, it's worth it."
Shinji gripped the map and the two coins tightly. A lump formed in his throat, and his chest tightened with an emotion he couldn't quite name.
He looked at these two people—strangers who had taken him in and treated him like family when he had nothing—and bowed his head low. Tears began to trace paths down his cheeks.
"Thank you, Mr. Vuri... thank you for everything, Auntie Maya!"
It was time.
Shinji turned and began to walk down the path marked on the map. With every step, he made a silent vow: he would not let Vuri down.
Behind him, the two elders stood in the doorway, waving until his silhouette grew small in the distance.
"I'm the one who should be sat thank you, Shinji..." Vuri murmured to the wind.
"What was that, you old goat?" Maya asked.
"Nothing. I'm just getting old and senile, don't care about that."
Those two silver coins were the very last of Vuri's savings. He had nothing left.
And yet, as he watched the boy disappear into the golden light, he felt richer than he had in years. This strange, sightless boy had given him something far more valuable than silver: a spark of warmth, a reason to laugh, and a sense of hope he thought he had buried long ago.