🏠 Home

Chapter 66: Settling In Soluna

The next morning, as the Justice Vanguard ship neared Soluna, the story of Aiden’s ridiculous mishap had spread across the crew.

Jeromy, hearing the full tale of Aiden’s accidental kiss with Sarah, shook his head in disbelief. "Seriously? A criminal settled in the Justice Vanguard, and instead of causing havoc, he’s out here… stealing first kisses?"

Aiden crossed his arms, embarrassed but trying to play it off. "Look, I didn’t steal anything! It was an accident! And technically, I saved myself from a disaster, so I’d say I came out on top."

Jeromy arched a brow. "You’re unbelievable."

"Thank you," Aiden replied smugly, though the redness in his face betrayed him.

Mike and Heidi were snickering in the corner, enjoying his humiliation.

"Whatever," Aiden grumbled. "Let’s just get this over with."

_ _ _

As the ship landed on Soluna’s pristine surface, the injured prisoners and Naomi’s friends were carefully escorted out.

The Solunar guards, awaited them, ensuring that everyone received immediate medical attention.

Tim and Rei, as rulers of Soluna, described everything happening in Arcis. Their presence brought a sense of calm to the weary prisoners. The people of Soluna, having heard the story of the prisoners’ torment, gathered to offer aid and comfort.

While most of the prisoners were directed to spare houses in Soluna for treatment, Naomi’s friends and a few others in critical condition were brought to Heatsun’s base.

Among them, Sarah — her orange hair dull and tangled from almost an year of suffering — could barely stand. Despite the pain, she remained conscious, but her frail body trembled.

Aiden, without a word, stepped forward. "I’ll carry her."

Sarah weakly protested, "I-I’m fine…"

But Aiden shook his head. "No, you’re not." He lifted her gently, supporting her thin frame as she instinctively clutched onto him for balance.

Her hands gripped his jacket tightly, too exhausted to resist. Even in her injured state, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks, but she said nothing.

Tim and Rei exchanged a surprised glance. Seeing Aiden — a man who was an openly dramatic troublemaker— acting with genuine care was unexpected.

"Maybe there’s more to him than we thought," Rei mused silently.

Inside Heatsun’s Base...
Once inside, all of Naomi's friends were placed in a single large room. The air was heavy, filled with the stifled pain of those who had suffered unimaginable torment. Naomi knelt beside her friends, her eyes welling with tears as she scanned their battered faces.

"You must have had it so hard…" she whispered, her voice trembling.

One of her friends, Eden, nodded weakly. "It was… worse than anything we could’ve imagined."

Freya, her voice cracked from dehydration and fatigue, added, "They never let us die… no matter how much we begged. Every day, we thought it would be our last."

Naomi’s tears finally fell. Jim, standing by her side, gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "You saved them," he said softly. "That’s what matters."

Laina who was barely able to open her eyes couldn't help but smile in relief knowing they were away from  hell.

Her friends’ eyes, though tired, softened with gratitude.

But the mood darkened when they turned toward Sarah, who was now lying on one of the beds, her frail body trembling.

"But the one who suffered the most," Marcus from his bed, spoke with sorrow, "was Sarah."

Naomi’s eyes widened. "Sarah?"

"She was the closest to you," he explained. "The outlaws knew it. They wanted to break her, to break us all by hurting her. But she never gave in. She even tried convincing them to torture her more… so they wouldn’t hurt us as much."

Aiden, who had remained silent up to this point, felt a cold wave wash over him.

The weight of the revelation hit him hard. The girl he had so foolishly embarrassed himself in front of had endured relentless suffering.

The thought of her selflessness — sacrificing her own well-being to protect others — made his petty concerns about the accidental kiss feel laughably insignificant.

Still, despite the growing shame, Aiden clenched his fists. "I won't just brush this off. I owe her. I'll try to understand her. And... maybe make up for everything."

Tim and Rei, too, were visibly shaken. "She’s stronger than we could’ve imagined," Rei murmured. "To endure all of that and still be here…"

Tim nodded solemnly. "We underestimated how much people like her suffer under the rule of monsters like Dark Void and the outlaws."

Before anyone could say more, a booming voice interrupted the somber atmosphere.

"Well, I’m back!"

Gravik strutted into the room, carrying Tim and Rei’s infant son like he had just returned from a long babysitting job.

The baby giggled, reaching for Gravik’s whiskers. "This little guy was trouble. But hey, I survived!"

Tim and Rei immediately hurried over, both relieved to see their son unharmed. Gravik handed the baby over, dramatically stretching his arms like he had fought a whole army.

Mike and Heidi, however, were distracted by something else. They spotted Gravik.

"Wait," Heidi said, eyes sparkling. "That’s a monster!"

Mike clenched his fists. "It looks dangerous. Maybe it’s some kind of enemy that followed us."

Heidi grinned. "We should fight it!"

Just as the two were about to lunge forward, Jim swiftly stepped in front of them. "Stop."

"But—" Heidi began, but Jim held up a hand.

"If you attack it," he said flatly, "you’ll just look like idiots. It’s a coward."

Gravik immediately hid behind Jim as he said that, trembling in fear.

Jim laughed heartily. "See. I told you."

Heidi pouted, disappointed. "Aww, and I was hoping for a good fight."

Mike muttered under his breath. "Uncool."

Jim shook his head. "Definitely uncool."

After an hour, the hybrid spaceship belonging to Mike and Heidi landed safely on Soluna.

Shortly after, a group of skilled Celestic Justice mechanics arrived, stepping out in their white and blue uniforms.

"Your ship's hole is repaired," one of the mechanics reported, wiping his hands clean. "It wasn’t a major issue, but it’s all good now. Safe to fly."

"Thanks a lot!" Heidi grinned, clearly eager to return to their journey.

Mike gave a firm nod. "Good work."

The two then turned toward Aiden, who stood with his arms crossed, a strange sense of calm in his usually playful demeanor.

"So," Heidi smirked. "Are you coming with us, Third Wheel?"

Mike glanced at Aiden, curious. He fully expected some sarcastic remark or over-the-top declaration, but instead, Aiden simply shook his head.

"Nah," Aiden said firmly. "I’m not going."

Heidi blinked. "Wait, what?"

"I've… found a new purpose," Aiden continued, his gaze drifting back toward Heatsun's base where Sarah was resting. "I’ve been a troublemaker my whole life, running from place to place, never caring about anything. But now… I’ve got something worth staying for."

He placed his hands in his pockets, his usual grin replaced by a sincere expression. "Soluna's not so bad. Maybe I’ll stick around."

Heidi pouted dramatically. "Aw, come on. You’re just gonna stay here like some reformed criminal?"

Aiden shrugged. "Maybe. But hey, if you ever need me, you know where to find me."

Mike stepped forward, his expression stoic. "You’re really sure about this?"

"Yeah," Aiden replied without hesitation. "For once, I’m sure."

With that, Mike and Heidi exchanged one last look.

"Guess this is goodbye," Mike said, though there was no bitterness in his tone.

"For now," Heidi corrected, giving Aiden a playful punch on the arm. "Try not to kiss anyone else by accident, will ya?"

Aiden smirked. "No promises."

As the hybrid spaceship ascended into the sky, the people of Soluna gathered to watch it disappear into the clouds.

The sight of Mike and Heidi leaving felt like the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

The former prisoners, including Naomi’s friends from Arcis, despite their injuries, had also made a collective decision.

After enduring so much suffering, Soluna’s peaceful environment had won their hearts. They chose to remain, finding comfort in the safety and kindness offered by the people of Soluna.

Even in their weakened state, a sense of relief and hope began to bloom.

Tim and Rei eventually returned to their castle, ready to resume their duties as rulers. Jeromy headed back to the Justice Vanguard, preparing for future operations against the lingering remnants of Dark Void’s influence.

Jim and Naomi took it upon themselves to personally ensure the well-being of the former prisoners. Naomi, though emotionally burdened by her friends’ trauma, felt comforted knowing that all of them could now be by their side.

Meanwhile, Aiden remained by Sarah’s side.

Every day, he visited her in the base, offering support as she slowly recovered. Though her body was still weak, the warmth in her eyes grew with each passing day.

Her friends, seeing Aiden’s dedication, couldn’t help but comment.

"Who would've thought Naomi’s closest friend would get herself such a caring guy?" Freya teased.

“Don’t make it sound like I’m desperate enough for him.” Sarah replied in a serious tone.

Eden smirked. "She is back to her former self."

Sarah muttered in frustration. "Just shut up... please...!"

Marcus interrupted, "It's like a twisted fairy tale — the reckless troublemaker and the brave survivor."

Aiden, despite his usual bravado, felt a bit embarrassed. "For the sake of everyone present here, don't make me feel like the MC because I am clearly not. I’m just making sure she’s okay."

Sarah, though still exhausted, managed a faint smile. "I guess I should thank you, huh?"

"Don’t worry about it," Aiden said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I’m just… sticking to my word."

Laina who was seeing everything from her bed, silently observed them with a faint smile clearly enjoying the drama.

Naomi, observing from the doorway, couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of relief. Seeing Sarah smile, even if only a little, was something she hadn’t dared to hope for.

"You know," Naomi said softly, stepping into the room, "Sarah never really had anyone to take care of her. She’s always been the one protecting others. She took everything alone — every pain, every fear."

Aiden lowered his gaze. "Yeah… I get that now."

"But," Naomi continued, a small smile forming, "even if she won’t say it, she looks happier. More hopeful."

Aiden wasn't able to say a word this time.

Sarah hearing everything from her bed decided to remain silent.