"So... when will you be coming back?" Katherine asked as the three women stood together to see Cassian off at one of the exits of the Beacon of Knowledge.

"Not sure..." Cassian replied, his tone slightly lowered as he looked away for a moment. "Could be months... maybe even a year."

"Try to come back as early as you can," Lucy said with a gentle smile, her hand lifting to brush through his hair in a soft, familiar gesture.

"I’ll try," Cassian answered, giving a small nod as he climbed onto the horse.

They had already said their real goodbyes back in the room—lingering moments, close embraces, holding onto each other just a little longer, until there was nothing left unsaid between them.

But the hunger for more was still there—stronger than ever in Katherine. She absentmindedly stroked the little kitten in her arms, her gaze lingering on Cassian as she spoke.

"I know you want to grow stronger... punish bad people or whatever," she said with a faint, knowing smile. "And I’m fully in support of that. But... take care of yourself too. We’ll miss you..."

Her voice softened slightly as she added, almost under her breath, "And I want to miss you."

Cassian smirked at that, a quiet amusement in his eyes.

"I don’t like missing you either... but I still do," he replied.

He then turned toward Ravees. "Protect our lady... though it’s not like she really needs it."

Then shifting his gaze to Lucy, he added with a lighter tone, "I’ll be back to eat your cooking again. Honestly, it’s a crime you didn’t cook for me sooner."

"And next time I come back... I hope you’re done with your work here," he said with a small smile. "So we can all go out and adventure together, my lady."

She nodded lightly. "I’ll try..." she replied, a faint sadness slipping into her expression.

Cassian’s gaze dropped to the kitten in her arms, his smile softening. "And you too..." he added, reaching out to gently rub its cheek where it rested in Katherine’s hands.

He didn’t want to see them like this—not like this.

Even if a part of him found it comforting that they would miss him... he still preferred their smiles.

Turning away, he spoke one last time, his voice lighter.

"I’ll be missing those smiles too..."

As he left, the three women stood there, watching him until he disappeared from their sight.

Ravees wasn’t affected as much—at least not outwardly—though there was still a faint shift in her expression. But Lucy and Katherine... the sadness in their eyes was clear.

Lucy let out a soft sigh.

"Kids grow up too fast... just a year ago he was nothing but skin and bones, and now look at him," she said, a hint of warmth in her voice. "Talking like that... saying he hates missing our lady..."

She shook her head lightly, a small smile forming.

"What a brat," she added, glancing at Katherine.

Katherine smiled faintly in return.

"Well... they have to grow eventually," she said calmly. "You can’t keep them close to you forever... even if you like their warmth. That’s no reason to keep them caged in your arms, no matter how much you might wish you could."

Lucy nodded with a small smile, and the three of them turned, walking back toward their rooms.

It was noon, but winter had made the sun feel distant—like a shy girl, only showing her face for brief moments before retreating again. The day, which should have been bright, instead felt muted and heavy, the gloom only deepening the weight of the farewell.

And Cassian could feel that same weight reflected on the faces of his friends as he met them outside the city gates.

Lumine looked the worst of them all, her expression clearly affected, while Wanni stayed by her side, trying to cheer her up. The siblings seemed a little better—having at least each other to lean on.

Cassian didn’t say anything as he approached, only giving them a small nod. There was nothing he could say that would make leaving any easier—leaving a place that had begun to feel like home, leaving people who had started to feel like family.

He had never really had one before... but with Katherine and Lucy, he had felt it for the first time.

And now that he was leaving, he understood—no words from anyone would make it hurt less.

So instead, he simply asked, "Everyone ready?"

Even he knew they weren’t.

Still, they nodded.

Cassian gave a small nod in return.

"Then... let’s go."

Cassian didn’t look back.

He knew if he did, even once, it would make the weight in his chest heavier than it already was. So he kept his eyes forward, fingers tightening slightly around the reins as the horse shifted beneath him.

The others followed his lead.

For a few moments, no one spoke. Only the quiet sounds of hooves against the cold ground filled the air, steady and rhythmic, almost numbing.

Behind them, the gates of the city stood tall—silent witnesses to yet another departure.

Lumine sniffed quietly, trying to hide it, but failing. Wanni stayed close beside her, murmuring something under her breath, light and reassuring, though even she sounded less lively than usual.

Cassian noticed.

Of course he did.

But he said nothing.

Instead, he let out a slow breath, his gaze drifting briefly to the dull sky above. The sun barely showed itself, weak and distant, casting a pale light that did little to warm anything.

Fitting.

"Hey," he finally spoke, his voice cutting gently through the silence.

"Let’s not drag our feet like we’re heading to a funeral."

That got a small reaction.

Wanni huffed softly, glancing at him. "Well then... where are we going?"

"The main destination is the Magic Empire," Cassian replied, his tone steady. "But for now, I received a message earlier—our other friends are staying somewhere along the way. So we’re heading to a sea town, about a day’s journey from here."

He paused, glancing back at them before continuing, his voice turning more serious.

"With our fellow soldiers holding the cultists here, the fires of war haven’t spread there yet... but that doesn’t mean the ashes haven’t reached it."

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"So stay on guard at all times. Don’t let anyone know where we’re from. If needed, just say we’re refugees of war. We’ll come up with a better story as we go."

Lumine looked a little confused, though she still nodded. "I understand that... but what friends?"

That only made Cassian smirk.