✨ Legacy of Hero: Radiant Saga Chapter 12 – Twilight of Bonds
[AFTERNOON – THOUSAND LIGHTS HQ | MAIN HALLWAY]
After days of tension, battles, and dark revelations, the atmosphere had finally softened.The Thousand Lights Guild headquarters felt more alive.Laughter echoed through the corridors as the sunset painted the stained glass in golden hues.
Lorien walked alongside Kai, Diana, and Kelvin. Ahead of them, Darius ran with a wooden sword, pretending to fight invisible monsters.
— "You know, Kai…" Lorien began, folding his arms behind his head.— "Diana used to be way colder… even with those blazing flames, she felt like ice on the inside."
Kai let out a loud laugh.
— "Totally! The first day you tried talking to her… she completely ignored us! I kept wondering if she was mute or just hated our faces."
Diana, walking behind, blushed slightly.
— "I was focused, that's all," she muttered.
Kelvin looked at her wide-eyed.
— "Auntie Diana… are you embarrassed?"
— "Focus on your lollipop, Kelvin," she replied, looking away.
Everyone laughed.
[LATE AFTERNOON – CITY MAIN STREET | WALKING]
With the sky bathed in shades of orange, the group strolled slowly down the main street.Shops were closing, birds returned to their nests.
— "Well… time to head home. My mom's gonna flip if I'm late again," said Kai, scratching his neck.
He turned to the group, striking an exaggerated pose.
— "Take care of the blondie without me! And don't let Diana take over the world with all that seriousness!"
— "Idiot," Diana said with a half-smile.
— "See you tomorrow, Kai," Lorien replied, waving.
Kai vanished into the city alleys, leaving behind only the echo of his carefree laughter.
[EARLY NIGHT – SNACK SHOP]
Lorien and Diana continued walking, now just the two of them.The silence was comfortable — yet heavy at the same time.
Lorien glanced sideways, clearing his throat.
— "Diana… can I ask you something?"
— "Go ahead."
— "Why are you so… cold? So disciplined all the time? Sometimes you seem like a robot," he said, chuckling provocatively.
Diana didn't reply right away.She simply stepped into a convenience shop and grabbed a bag of chips and a drink.
Lorien frowned, feeling ignored.
— "...Oops, did I say something wrong?"
Outside, with their footsteps echoing through the empty streets, Diana finally spoke.
— "You know, Lorien…" she began in a low tone,— "I didn't have an easy childhood like yours."
Lorien stopped walking.
Diana continued, not looking at him directly:
— "We lived out in the countryside. Sometimes we went hungry.My dad was a soldier from Ray's generation… a former hero.But after my mother died — killed by villains seeking revenge on him — he broke. Never recovered. Became an alcoholic."
She closed her eyes.
— "When I said I wanted to become a hero… he'd beat me.He said heroes only bring death.That the world isn't kind to those who try to save it.He… he blamed me for her death. Said that if he hadn't gone on that mission, she'd still be alive."
Lorien felt a lump in his throat. His smile had vanished.
— "I grew up being told to never get close to anyone.That the more you love, the weaker you get.Because villains always attack the ones you love. Always."
Diana clenched the snack bag tightly, her eyes glistening.
— "I'm not cold, Lorien. I just… protect myself.It's my way of keeping distance, so I don't form bonds…So no one suffers because of me.But…"
She looked at him for the first time.
— "You and Kai… changed that.Everything with you guys feels… more colorful.Lighter.For the first time, I feel like I can… breathe."
A small smile formed on her lips.
Lorien looked away, swallowing hard.Then, he smiled — gently.
— "Diana… I had no idea. But… you've got us now, okay?"
He held out a closed fist, like he always did with Kai.
— "We're FAMILY now."
Diana hesitated… but then smiled and bumped her fist against his.
The night fell quietly over the two.But in that moment, something had changed — forever.
End of Chapter 13.