As Tim and Rei's lips parted, a hushed silence fell over the crowd.
EveryoneâSheila, Dr. Aron, their children, the Resistance members, Jim, Celestic Justice, and even Gravikâstared at them in awe.
The entire population of Soluna knelt, bowing in unison.
They had witnessed something divine.
Tim and Rei hadn't just united the Solar and Lunar people.
They had done the impossibleâ
Healing the wounded. Restoring the land and the deceased. Mending the hearts of their people.
They had become the Godly Protectors of Soluna.
Jim smirked and crossed his arms.
"Looks like we're officially serving royalty now, huh?"
Sheila chuckled, her hands on her hips.
"Not just royaltyâdivine rulers. I think we're looking at living legends."
Dr. Aron nodded, his scientist mind overwhelmed by what he had just witnessed.
"The ability to restore an entire planet... There's no doubt. They're something beyond mortal now."
Jeromy, usually cocky, for once showed genuine admiration.
"So, this is the true power of Solunar Warriors..."
Even Gravik, who had once stood against them, had nothing to say.
Instead, he knelt alongside the others, accepting their divine status.
Tim looked around, slightly flustered.
"Uh... guys? You really don't have to bow."
Rei blushed, feeling a bit awkward with everyone kneeling before them.
Sheila smirked.
"Oh, don't worry. We're just acknowledging that you two are basically gods now."
Dr. Aron added, adjusting his glasses.
"Not to mention, you just rebuilt an entire planet with the power of your love. That's... well, a little overwhelming to witness."
Tim and Rei exchanged glances, both a little shy from all the attention.
"Alright, alright, that's enough bowing!" Tim finally said, waving them up.
Everyone laughed, but the respect in their eyes remained.
Returning to the Base
After the grand ceremony, Tim and Rei finally returned to Heatsun's baseâthe place where they had fought, trained, and prepared for the greatest battle of their lives.
But peace had finally arrived.
As soon as they walked inâ
The teasing began.
Jim, leaning against the wall with a mischievous grin, was the first to strike.
"Soooo, the Divine Protectors of Soluna, huh? You guys gonna start blessing people now?"
Rei groaned.
"Jim, I swearâ"
Before she could finish, Sheila's kids, Darren and Maria, ran up to them excitedly.
Maria, her eyes sparkling with admiration, grabbed Rei's hand.
"Rei, Rei! Is it true that you and Tim kissed in front of EVERYONE?!"
Darren smirked and pointed at Tim.
"You're a married couple now! That means you have to hold hands all the time!"
Tim sighed dramatically.
"Oh no, the children are attacking."
Sheila chuckled and ruffled Darren's hair.
"Go easy on them, kids. They've had a long day."
Jeromy grinned and nudged Tim.
"But seriously, Tim. A whole castle? A whole marriage ritual? You sure you don't wanna start wearing a crown?"
Tim rolled his eyes.
"We're warriors, not royalty."
Jim grinned wider.
"Yeah, yeah, but you know what this means, right?"
Rei raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Jim wiggled his eyebrows playfully.
"We're gonna have to throw you a WEDDING PARTY!"
Tim and Rei both groaned as the entire base burst into laughter and cheers.
Darren pumped his fist.
"Party! Party! Party!"
Even Gravik, who rarely showed emotion, smirked slightly.
"I suppose even warriors need a celebration."
Rei sighed, rubbing her temples.
"I feel like this is just an excuse for everyone to mess with us."
Tim grinned and threw an arm around her shoulders.
"That's exactly what it is."
Rei shook her head with a small smile.
"Fine. But no over-the-top nonsense."
Jim pretended to look serious.
"No over-the-top nonsense? Rei, do you know who you're talking to?"
Tim chuckled.
"Yeah... we're doomed."
As laughter filled the base, for the first time in years, there was no tension.
No war.
No looming battles.
Just peace.
And a well-deserved celebration.
As the teasing and laughter continued, Rei suddenly grabbed Tim's hand, her face slightly flushed.
Rei (softly): "Tim... you're forgetting something important."
Tim turned to her, confused.
Tim: "Huh? What do you mean?"
Rei sighed, then placed her hand on her belly, gazing at him meaningfully.
Tim's eyes widened.
Then, it clicked.
Tim (blinking): "...The baby."
The entire room froze.
For all the celebration, teasing, and recognition, everyone had completely overlooked the biggest revelation of all.
Jim's jaw dropped.
Jim: "...WAIT A MINUTE. TIM, YOU'RE GONNA BE A DAD?!"
Darren and Maria gasped dramatically.
Maria (eyes sparkling): "So there's a baby princess or prince coming?!"
Jeromy smirked, nudging Tim.
Jeromy: "And here I thought you were just the 'Protector of Soluna'âturns out you've been a little extra busy, huh?"
Tim groaned, covering his face.
Tim: "I just saved an entire planet, and THIS is what you guys are focusing on?"
Rei (smiling shyly): "Well... it is kind of a big deal."
Jim, still in shock, placed his hands on his head and sighed deeply.
Jim: "Man... all this time, I was almost giving up on my life after everything. After seeing so many deaths. But because of you two, I found my way again."
His voice softened, turning somber.
Jim: "I even lost my parents... but I'll survive. For them. For the people who are still here."
Silence fell.
Everyone knew the pain Jim had endured.
But before the moment could settleâ
Two familiar voices called from the doorway.
??? "That's good to hear, Jim. But don't kill us off that easily."
Jim froze.
His breath caught in his throat.
He knew those voices.
Slowly, he turnedâ
And saw them.
Heatsun. Moonsalt.
Standing alive and well.
Jim's eyes widened in disbelief.
Jim (staggering back): "...No. That's not possible. Iâ"
But before he could say anything more, he ran forward and grabbed them both in a tight embrace.
Jim (voice breaking): "HOWâ?!"
Heatsun chuckled, ruffling Jim's hair.
Heatsun: "Tim and Rei restored everythingâincluding the lives lost in Soluna."
Jim pulled back, tears forming in his eyes.
Jim: "...I thought I lost you."
Moonsalt cupped Jim's face gently, smiling.
Moonsalt: "You never lost us, Jim. We're here... and we're so proud of you."
Jim let out a shaky laugh, wiping his eyes.
Jim: "Damn it... I swore I wouldn't cry again."
Tim and Rei watched, feeling a warmth in their hearts as they saw Jim finally reunited with his family.
But thenâ
The entire room turned to stare at Tim and Rei.
Everyone: "...You brought back the dead?!"
Tim and Rei exchanged awkward glances.
Tim (sheepishly): "...I guess?"
Rei (murmuring): "I did think something felt off when the energy spread across Soluna..."
Jeromy threw up his hands.
Jeromy: "Okay, I take it backâthis isn't just 'godly' power. You guys are straight-up divine beings at this point."
Gravik, arms crossed, nodded.
Gravik: "Resurrecting the dead...? That's beyond anything we've ever seen."
Henry and Marie, tears in their eyes, stepped forward.
Henry: "Tim... Rei... There are no words to express our gratitude."
Marie: "You've given so many families back what they lost... Thank you."
Tim and Rei shifted uncomfortably under the weight of everyone's admiration.
But thenâ
Two more voices spoke.
Heatsun and Moonsalt.
Heatsun (smirking): "Well, well... congratulations, you two."
Moonsalt (smiling): "Looks like our respective students ended up marrying each other."
Rei blushed.
Tim groaned.
Jim grinned mischievously.
Jim: "OH. I really like how ironic this is."
Moonsalt chuckled, crossing her arms.
Moonsalt: "16 years ago, we trained you two as separate warriors. But in the end, you brought together what we never could."
Heatsun placed a hand on Tim's shoulder.
Heatsun: "You've surpassed us, Tim. You, and Rei, have done what even history couldn't achieve. We're proud of you."
Rei looked at Moonsalt, who smiled warmly.
Moonsalt: "And soon... you'll be a mother. I can't wait to see the kind of warrior your child will become."
Rei's eyes softened, her hands unconsciously resting on her stomach.
Rei (smiling gently): "Neither can I."
As the room filled with warmth and laughter, the reality sank in.
Tim and Rei were no longer just warriors.
They were leaders. Protectors. A family.
9 Months Later â
Nine months had passed since the great battle against Dark Void.
In that time, peace had flourished across Soluna.
The Solar and Lunar people worked together, rebuilding their cities, strengthening their bonds, and finally embracing the unity that had eluded them for centuries.
At the heart of it all stood Tim and Rei, the rulers of Soluna, ensuring that the mistakes of the past would never be repeated.
But today, something even more monumental had happened.
A new life had entered the world.