As Sherry gazed up into the sky, this time she did not see the holy maiden with wings that she had seen earlier.
Above her — vast, solemn, silent — the robed figure of the Shadow Priest lingered still, staff lowered now in silent benediction.
The girl's mouth trembled.
Her eyes widened — and then flooded with tears.
"The Shadow Priest…" she whispered brokenly. "The Keeper of the Forgotten…"
Her tears blurred her vision, and she stumbled forward and dropped to her knees. Her head bowed low in reverence, forehead pressing into the dust.
The presence of Varr was overwhelming, yet strangely kind — like the acceptance of a night that shielded all wounds from the harshness of the sun.
Around them, the villagers — still kneeling — watched in breathless awe.
Even Lysaria, her heart hammering against her ribs, stared silently.
Riku smiled faintly, stepping forward.
He pointed gently — not at the sky, but at the violet-glowing stones, and at the rows of villagers still praying, still believing.
"Sherry," he said softly. "Look not only at the sky. Look here."
Sherry hesitated — then turned.
Her eyes now met the villagers — old farmers, young mothers, smiths, kids — all bent in silent prayer. Their faces were solemn, open, without mockery or disdain. No hatred. No fear.
Only an honest plea, given freely, without strings attached.
Riku knelt before her, his voice low but firm.
"Kindness is a gift," he said. "It's beautiful when given — but even more powerful when accepted, and passed forward."
"You were hurt by those who abused the light," he continued. "We were blind to our own prejudice. But now… we choose to see."
He glanced up, and the light from Varr seemed to respond — a pulse of soft violet radiance bathing them all.
Riku reached out, placing a hand gently over Sherry's trembling hands.
"You don't have to walk the same path of hate anymore. You are free now — free to carry the kindness given to you... and share it wherever you go."
Sherry's lips parted, but no sound came.
Her fingers clutched his hand tighter, as tears welled anew — but this time, they weren't only born of grief.
Slowly, she turned once more to the villagers, her body shaking, her breath catching.
And then — she bowed her head again. Not in despair.
But in gratitude.
"Thank you."
The old man followed suit, lowering himself into a bow beside her.
High above, Varr gave one last slow, sweeping motion with his staff — a blessing unspoken, a promise carved into the fabric of the darkened sky — before his form shimmered and dissolved into the heavens, leaving only a soft twilight glow behind.
The violet clouds dispersed gently, and a warm golden sunlight began peeking through once again.
The villagers — and Sherry herself — sat silent, as if absorbing a moment they might not see again in a long time.
A gentle hush lingered in the wake of the Shadow Priest's departure. Sunlight poured softly through the breaking clouds, illuminating faces that were still filled with awe and contemplation. Finally, from among the villagers, an uncertain voice broke the silence.
"Riku," the voice began cautiously, belonging to an elderly woman standing near the back, "if the shadow is not evil… why are there two kinds of magic at all? Why must there be both light and darkness?"
A low murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd. Eyes turned curiously to Riku, who stood quietly, thoughtful for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully.
"Imagine a day without night," he finally said, stepping forward slightly. "Could we truly appreciate the brightness of day without knowing the serenity of the night? Or think about warmth and cold—each exists because of the other, balancing the world we live in."
He raised his hands gently and took out two stones. One stone with a soft white glow began to coalesce in his left palm. Simultaneously, another stone with a calm, midnight-black flame flickered into existence in his right palm.
"Magic is not so different," Riku continued, turning his palms outward for everyone to see. "Light and shadow are companions, not enemies. They complete each other—each makes the other possible."
Slowly, he drew his palms upward, shaping the glowing energies carefully.
From his left hand emerged a brilliant dragon woven from delicate tendrils of pure white light. It soared gracefully through the air, leaving trails of radiant sparkles. From his right hand rose another dragon, this one formed from rich, dark magic, deep violet shadows rippling across its sleek form.
Gasps of wonder filled the air as eyes followed the two dragons' fluid dance.
The two dragons circled each other slowly at first, their forms distinct, their magic beautiful yet separate.
"You see these two dragons? They look majestic even by themselves, right? But watch what happens when they meet," Riku whispered as he brought his hands closer.
As the dragons spiraled closer, their energies began intertwining. The brilliant white glow mingled gently with the deep violet shadows, each color enhancing the beauty of the other. The dragons' forms twisted elegantly around each other, light and shadow becoming inseparable—each more striking because of the other's presence.
"This is harmony," Riku said, his voice clear and gentle, echoing softly across the captivated audience. "When we accept the differences between us and seek unity instead of division, we create something even more powerful. Magic, like life itself, thrives when balanced and embraced as a whole."
The dragons ascended higher, dancing around each other one last time before gently dissipating into the clear sky, leaving behind a quiet sense of wonder.
For a moment, silence lingered again.
Then, gradually, applause began—slow at first, building to a heartfelt, steady rhythm. Faces brightened with smiles, eyes filled with newfound understanding and respect. Everyone was clapping, including Sherry and Lysaria at the marvelous spectacle they witnessed.
Riku lowered his hands, smiling softly, his eyes warm and sincere.
The villagers had finally understood.
"But Riku, where did those dragons come from? "Lila asked, smiling mischievously.
"Ahh..." Riku stammered." As you can see, it is from these stones. Just a small trick I learnt from the Buddhist Monk. Yup, nothing more."