---

The sun was setting, bathing Crescent City in a golden hue. It felt like the first peaceful sunset in forever. No shadows, no masks, no other versions — just them.

Aiden leaned back on the school rooftop, staring at the sky as the clouds lazily drifted by. Emily sat beside him, their shoulders almost touching, both lost in the same silence that somehow felt… comforting.

Down below, laughter echoed faintly. Kai’s voice was the loudest, chatting with some classmates like everything was normal — because for him, it was.

"He really doesn’t know, huh?" Emily whispered, hugging her knees as the wind gently blew through her hair.

Aiden glanced at her, then back down at Kai. "No… and maybe that’s for the best."

Emily smiled sadly. "If he knew… about you, about everything… he wouldn’t be able to laugh like that."

"Yeah," Aiden sighed, closing his eyes briefly. "Let him stay that way. Kai… doesn’t belong in that part of our world."

Emily stayed quiet, watching Kai’s figure shrink as he walked further away, waving to them like he always did — carefree, innocent.

"Sometimes I envy him," she admitted, her voice soft. "Living without knowing how close the world came to breaking…"

Aiden chuckled faintly. "Me too."

The wind carried their quiet laughter into the sky, lost among the clouds.

Emily turned to him, eyes shining. "But… I’m glad you came back."

Aiden met her gaze, the weight of everything they’d been through flashing through his mind — the other Aidens, Lucian, the endless battles. And yet, somehow… they were still here.

"I promised, didn’t I?" he whispered. "No matter what… I’d find my way back to you."

Emily smiled — truly smiled — for the first time in a long while. "You did."

Below them, Kai called out, waving. "Hey! Are you two coming or what?!"

Emily giggled, wiping at her eyes quickly before standing. "We’re coming, idiot!"

Aiden stood too, glancing once more at the sky — as if silently thanking the versions of himself who had helped him reach this moment.

"Let’s go," he said.

They walked down together — Aiden, Emily, and Kai. Three friends. Only two of them knowing the truth, and one… blissfully unaware.

And maybe that was how it was meant to be.

For now… peace was enough.