The following days on Soluna passed with a calm sense of recovery and rebuilding.
The former prisoners of Arcis, including Naomi's friends, were receiving ongoing treatment.
The Medical unit worked tirelessly under the guidance of Dr. Aron( who after hearing the news personally came to help), tending to their injuries and ensuring they could physically recover. However, the emotional scars they carried would take longer to heal.
Aiden, though unfamiliar with any form of care beyond his usual reckless behavior, remained unusually patient.
He often carried Sarah when she was too weak to walk, sat beside her during treatments, and found ways to keep her spirits high.
His mischievous comments and occasional self-deprecating jokes managed to earn a chuckle or two from her, slowly chipping away at her lingering pain.
She was slowly opening up to him.
"Still can't believe you kissed me by accident," Sarah muttered one day, her voice dry with amusement.
Aiden smirked. "Hey, I'm not proud of it either. But I said I'd take responsibility, didn't I?"
Sarah rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
"And you're stubborn," Aiden shot back. "Guess we'll get along just fine."
While Aiden and Sarah's relationship continued to grow, Jim and Naomi remained close by, taking shifts to ensure the others were cared for.
Naomi, despite her relief at seeing her friends safe, was still burdened by guilt. She often visited their rooms, bringing food, flowers, or simply offering quiet comfort. Jim stayed with her, understanding her turmoil.
"They suffered because of me," Naomi whispered one evening as she sat beside Jim, watching the Soluna sunset. "Because I escaped Arcis. They paid the price."
Jim placed a hand on her shoulder. "You didn't abandon them. You came back. You saved them."
"But at what cost?" she murmured. "Sarah... she endured the most because she was closest to me. She was tortured for my sake."
Jim's eyes darkened. "That wasn't your fault. The outlaws in Arcis are the ones responsible. They're the ones who caused all of this."
Naomi turned to Jim, her gaze searching. "Then why does it feel like I should've done more?"
Jim paused before replying, his voice firm but kind. "Because you care. But caring doesn't mean you have to carry all the blame. You fought to save them. And now, they're here. They're alive."
Naomi nodded, though the weight on her heart lingered.
_ _ _
At the Soluna Castle, Tim and Rei kept a close eye on the situation. The two rulers had returned to their responsibilities, yet they often found their thoughts drifting to the rescued prisoners - particularly Aiden and Sarah.
"Did you ever think," Rei began, resting her chin on her palm, "that the troublemaker who caused chaos the moment he arrived would actually... care about someone like Sarah?"
Tim chuckled. "Honestly? No. But Aiden's a wildcard. He's unpredictable. Maybe that's exactly why he's drawn to someone like her - someone who endured unimaginable pain but still held on."
Rei nodded thoughtfully. "It's strange how people like him can change when they find something worth protecting."
"Or someone," Tim added with a small grin. "But I'm not sure if I'm more surprised by Aiden's determination or the fact that Sarah tolerates him."
Rei laughed. "Maybe she sees something in him. Something even he doesn't see."
Tim leaned back, the memory of his own battles flashing in his mind. "Well, I guess we'll see where it leads. For now, Soluna is their home. And maybe, just maybe, it's where they'll both heal.
_ _ _
Late at night, when the stars illuminated Soluna's sky, Aiden often found himself walking the quiet paths near Heatsun's Base. He didn't have a clear goal in mind - just a lingering sense of responsibility that weighed on him.
He remembered how Sarah's friends spoke of her selflessness, how she had tried to shield them from further harm, even begging their captors to focus their torture on her instead. The thought made his stomach churn.
"She took all that pain for them. And I... I've spent my life running from my own problems."
Aiden clenched his fists. He didn't understand why he cared so much. Was it guilt? Pity? Or something else entirely?
But one thing was certain - he couldn't turn away now.
The days on Soluna continued, with old wounds beginning to heal and new bonds forming.
While Mike and Heidi traveled through space, Aiden remained on Soluna - no longer the reckless criminal without purpose, but a man determined to stand by Sarah.
Whatever challenges awaited, he had chosen to face them. For her.
_ _ _
Almost a month had passed since the rescued prisoners were brought to Soluna.
Under the exceptional care of the medical team led by Dr. Aron and the warmth of the people, the once-broken survivors had regained their strength. The once-empty eyes of Naomi's friends were now filled with hope, and the weight of their suffering had begun to lift.
The streets of Soluna bustled with joy as the citizens welcomed the recovered prisoners into their lives. The sight of them, once captives of Arcis, now walking freely under the golden Soluna sky, was nothing short of historic. People waved, greeted, and celebrated, seeing this moment as a symbol of triumph over darkness.
Among the crowd, Aiden and Sarah walked side by side. Though he would never admit it, Aiden's steps were unusually careful - as if afraid she might stumble. But Sarah, now strong and steady, held his hand with a firm grip.
Aiden's fingers brushed over hers absentmindedly as a rare, genuine smile spread across his face. He stole a glance at her, noticing how her short orange hair shimmered in the sunlight. Despite the scars that lined her arms, there was a glow to her - a resilient beauty that no pain could diminish.
"You're walking," Aiden murmured softly.
Sarah smiled, squeezing his hand. "And you're still holding on. What? Afraid I might fly away?"
"Maybe," he replied, half-joking. "But I'd catch you if you did."
"You'd probably drop me halfway." Sarah smirked.
Nearby, Jim and Naomi stood together, observing the scene. Naomi's eyes glistened as she saw her friends blending in with the people of Soluna. A sense of relief washed over her - they were finally free.
"She looks happy," Jim commented, glancing at Naomi.
"She does," Naomi whispered. "And so does he."
Jim raised an eyebrow. "Aiden? Happy? That's new."
Naomi chuckled softly. "Maybe even a troublemaker like him has his moments."
Jim nodded, though he couldn't shake the warmth that lingered in the air. For so long, their lives had been filled with battles and sorrow. But now, there was peace - a fragile, beautiful peace.
From the steps of the Soluna Castle, Tim and Rei observed everything with knowing smiles. As rulers, they had witnessed countless events, but this day held a unique significance. It wasn't just a celebration of freedom - it was a moment of healing.
But Tim's grin widened as he focused on Jim and Naomi. The two stood close, their hands almost brushing against each other, though neither dared to make the first move.
"They're hopeless," Tim muttered, shaking his head.
Rei smirked. "We could change that."
Without another word, the two descended from the castle steps, weaving through the crowd until they reached Jim and Naomi.
"Jim, Naomi," Tim called out cheerfully, drawing their attention. "Isn't it a beautiful day?"
"It is," Naomi answered softly, though she already sensed Tim's mischievous tone.
"And seeing all this joy and togetherness," Rei added, her eyes sparkling, "don't you think it's only right to celebrate properly?"
Jim blinked. "Uh... we are celebrating."
"Not enough," Tim teased. "You're standing here like statues while history is being made. Don't you think it's time you two do the needful?"
Jim and Naomi exchanged confused glances. "The needful?" they echoed.
Without hesitation, Tim and Rei took matters into their own hands - quite literally. They reached out, grabbing Jim's and Naomi's hands and clasping them together.
"There," Rei said triumphantly. "That's better."
Jim's face turned crimson as he felt Naomi's soft hand in his. Naomi, equally flustered, couldn't meet his gaze.
"W-We're just friends!" Jim stammered.
"Of course," Tim replied sarcastically, clearly not believing him.
"Friends who hold hands and blush like tomatoes," Rei added with a giggle.
Naomi, unable to contain her embarrassment, shot a glare at the two rulers. "You two are unbelievable!"
"You're welcome," Tim and Rei said in unison, grinning ear to ear.
Despite their protests, neither Jim nor Naomi let go.