It all felt like a dream.. It was like one of those fairy tales where there's this big powerful monster that is unbeatable. Despite it haunting the world for millennia, everyone believed that the day of his demise was gonna come; and the heroes were to save the world. Are we gonna be those heroes?

"EMILIA!" - screamed Vandal. "Barus is on it's limit. I don't think he can keep going any longer. Anna is doing all she can to heal him but it's not going to take much until she collapses. We need you to give the coup de grace to that monster."

Of course it was Vandal that had to take me away from my daydreaming and bring me back to reality. He has been like that since forever. Considering how long I've known him for, I'm surprised he hasn't changed a bit. He has always been fiece, strong, collected and acute. Which explains how we got to this place to begin with. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be here. Any of us.

Now we were at the end; the climax; the finale. Our story was about to be made, and it was all in my hands. I had to find the strength to get up for one last hit. It was easier said than done. I felt my body not responding to my commands at all. But I knew that it was now or never. In an instant, Emilia gathered her remaning power, every single muscle on her body started to pulsate and it looked like more of a failed attempt than a successful one. It didn't take much though, and Emilia just disappeared.

Vandal knew exactly what had happened, and his next move was to face the monster. He tried buying time as much as he could by hitting the giant with everything he had left in his arsenal. He was almost successful without Emilia's needed entrance, but the Devil just pushed him away and severely damaged him. With all Vandal had left, he yelled: "You won't make it out of here alive monster!".

"I repeat myself again, I am no--".

Before he could finish his sentence, Emilia appeared out of nowhere and slashed the monster with a powerful attack that left everyone speechless. It felt like everything had stopped for a second since nobody was moving. Emilia looked as if she was frozen. But then the next instant, everything started running normally just like the next frame had come.

The monster collapsed on the floor and a giant noise filled the entire area. No one believed what just happened. They came here to attempt the miracle - and the miracle had just occurred.

"Did we really do it?" - Barus asked.

"I think we just did." - replied Anna and Vandal in unison.

"We are freaking heroes." - yelled Vandal.

Meanwhile me? I'm just laying on the ground, being grateful that all of this ended. I don't wanna say that I'm not happy that we defeat the monster that was haunting our world. But considering how close it really was, I'm just glad it's over with all of us being safe.

The return was all we have been dreaming off. Four selected humans, with no prior experience, embarking in a journey in which the odds were highly disfavouring them and making it back triumphantly? This is nothing like what we expected. And I have to tell you.. It feels weird. I'm really questioning myself right now. Normally, I would be more than ecstatic, especially considering the importance of the mission. But for some reason, I'm very dull.

I was seeing the rest of my team celebrating and enjoying their moment of glory. People were cheering for them; the King doing homages, and so on. We were living the dream. Or at least they were. I don't even remember why I decided to go on this quest and why Vandal had insisted so much. But these questions didn't make any sense since the outcome was a happy ending. A bad headache started affecting me and I was having a crisis.

The rest of the event proceeded going greatly. Emilia was missing on most of the occasions but she made sure to be present on the important ones. The celebrations continued for 3 days straight, with the 'heroes' being the center of attention. They barely had time to talk or do anything cause they were constantly bombarded with recognition.

"Guys." - said Emilia. But she didn't get any answer.

"GUYS!" - yelled Emilia this time around.

"Oh my" - replied Anna. "What's with that tone?"

"Are you guys enjoying this dumb celebration? Because to me it feels pointless." - continued Emilia.

Vandal abruptly stopped, which made everyone stop in response.

"Emilia, my dear." said Vandal in a soothing voice. "I think this journey really had the better of us all, and we are more than exhausted. But I see that it has affected you way more than we imagined. Why is that?"

Emilia was shocked. She felt like someone finally understood her. Not just someone, but Vandal.

"I-I don't know.." - replied Emilia. "But since I've been back, I've felt empty."

"I understand you." - said Vandal. "What do you think about taking a break? A well deserved vacation."

"A vacation?" - asked Emilia surprised.

"That sounds like a good idea" - finally Barus said something.

"I was speaking to the King earlier and he pointed me a small village in the North, called Vastera, in which you can rest unnoticed and at your own peace." - continued Vandal.

"I think that would do you good."

"I think so.." - replied Emilia.

"Then it's settled, tomorrow I'll make the arrangements for you and you'll depart immediately." - said Vandal. "Make sure to get us souvenirs. But now, we gotta get going."

Emilia tried her best to enjoy the remaining festivities and she felt more light-hearted knowing that a break was coming her way. Everything proceeded to go as boringly as ever and Emilia couldn't get her mind away from the trip.

The upcoming day, the Three Heroes and the King were escorting Emilia. Everyone greeted her and they were waiting her return. Emilia was thrilled to see what Vastera had to offer.

And she finally departs.