Aurelia
The streets of Torchline, worn smooth by countless footsteps and the passage of time, guided Aurelia through a maze of memory and change. The once-familiar alleyways, now dappled with sunlight filtering through newly sprouted foliage, whispered stories of resilience and rebirth. The air thrummed with a vibrant energy.
Her heart quickened as she approached the sprawling plaza where the old boxing ring had once stood. It was here, in this sun-drenched clearing, that she had first met Sunjata.
The echoes of their sparring matches still lingered in the air, mingling with the joyous shrieks of children engaged in a spirited game of soccer. A stray ball bounced towards Aurelia. She kicked it back with a practiced ease, a fleeting smile gracing her lips as she watched it return.
She watched for a moment before she noticed a figure standing on the other side of the street. A tall, broad-shouldered figure with dark hair and blue eyes. Ronin.
"Ronin!" The name escaped her lips, a joyful exclamation that startled even herself. A wave of relief washed over her, dispelling the lingering shadows of doubt and uncertainty.
But Aurelia's initial elation gave way to a hesitant pause. Would he welcome her back, or would her past mistakes cast too long a shadow? He had been there for her before, when things had been so dark and chaotic. Would he still be now?
The words she had rehearsed, the apologies and explanations, withered on her tongue. Instead, a genuine smile bloomed on her face, a radiant contrast to the somber hues of her memories.
"Ronin," she repeated, her voice soft but steady, "it's good to see you."
The distance between them evaporated as she crossed the plaza to meet him.
Her heart quickened as she approached the sprawling plaza where the old boxing ring had once stood. It was here, in this sun-drenched clearing, that she had first met Sunjata.
The echoes of their sparring matches still lingered in the air, mingling with the joyous shrieks of children engaged in a spirited game of soccer. A stray ball bounced towards Aurelia. She kicked it back with a practiced ease, a fleeting smile gracing her lips as she watched it return.
She watched for a moment before she noticed a figure standing on the other side of the street. A tall, broad-shouldered figure with dark hair and blue eyes. Ronin.
"Ronin!" The name escaped her lips, a joyful exclamation that startled even herself. A wave of relief washed over her, dispelling the lingering shadows of doubt and uncertainty.
But Aurelia's initial elation gave way to a hesitant pause. Would he welcome her back, or would her past mistakes cast too long a shadow? He had been there for her before, when things had been so dark and chaotic. Would he still be now?
The words she had rehearsed, the apologies and explanations, withered on her tongue. Instead, a genuine smile bloomed on her face, a radiant contrast to the somber hues of her memories.
"Ronin," she repeated, her voice soft but steady, "it's good to see you."
The distance between them evaporated as she crossed the plaza to meet him.
What is clear is what is gold
You're only human after all
You're only human after all
