Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 213: Eternity, Part Fourteen

In the void, Lianna found herself standing before the radiant figure of the Lover.

The celestial being’s presence was overwhelming, her ethereal light casting a gentle glow in the darkness.

Lianna’s heart pounded with a mixture of confusion and awe.

"What’s happening?" she asked, her voice echoing in the emptiness. "Where am I?"

The Lover smiled warmly, her eyes filled with timeless wisdom.

"Congratulations, Lianna. You and your friends have once again stopped Saren."

Lianna’s brow furrowed.

"Once again? What do you mean by that?"

The Lover’s expression grew somber.

"Even though you’ve managed to achieve something truly remarkable, Saren cannot be killed forever. He is intertwined with this world, a part of its very fabric. As long as the world exists, so too will Saren."

"Wait, what!?" Lianna felt a pang of frustration. "So, what? We fought for nothing? He’ll just come back?"

The Lover shook her head gently.

"Not for nothing, Lianna. What you and your companions have done is significant. You have bought your world a precious gift. Time. Saren will return, but not for a very long time. For now, you have ensured peace until then. Well done."

Lianna’s tension eased slightly, the weight of their victory sinking in.

"So... Is that it? Is it really done?"

The Lover’s smile returned, warm and reassuring.

"Yes, Lianna. You can rest. Do not misunderstand, as Saren’s influence on the world cannot be fully erased, Fiends will continue to pop up. You and your fellow guildmates will have to eliminate them, same as ever. But, as far as this larger struggle is concerned, yes. Your role in this eternal war is over."

Lianna couldn’t quite believe she was hearing this.

"Enjoy your victory, cherish the moments of peace you have earned. You and your friends deserve it."

A soft chime resonated in the void, and Lianna saw a familiar System notification appear before her eyes.

Quest Completed!

With it came another notification.

{Undying Love} - Instinct

{The effects of Love Rush are now permanent.}

Lianna felt a surge of warmth and power within her.

"It’s done," the Lover confirmed, her voice a soothing balm to Lianna’s soul. "You have done well, Lianna. Now go, live your life, and treasure the love that you and Enverna share. And, of course," she grinned, "be sure to show everyone else just how much you love them as well."

The void began to fade, and Lianna felt herself being pulled back to the real world.

When her vision cleared, she was back on the battlefield, Enverna still in her arm. The oppressive energy was gone, replaced by a calm, serene sky.

The other adventurers were gathering, their faces reflecting a mixture of relief and triumph.

Lianna looked down at Enverna, who was smiling up at her.

"It’s really over," Lianna whispered, tears of joy streaming down her face.

Enverna nodded, her own eyes glistening.

"We did it, Lianna. Together."

The two of them stood, embracing tightly as their friends and comrades began to gather around them, sharing in the victory they had fought so hard to achieve.

---

{A Few Months Later}

{Enverna}

The church bells rang out in joyous celebration as Lianna and Enverna finally exchanged their vows.

The air was filled with laughter and the sweet scent of roses. The ceremony was a beautiful blur of smiles and tears, and as the newlyweds exited the church, Lianna threw the bouquet of roses over her shoulder.

The crowd watched in anticipation, and Mel, with a delighted laugh, caught the bouquet mid-air.

"Looks like you’re next, Mel!" someone called out, and the crowd erupted in cheerful applause and Mel (predictably) blushed intensely, just like Zura did beside her.

Later, as the celebration continued inside, Enverna found a moment of quiet on the balcony of the church.

The evening air was cool and refreshing, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the nearby trees. She looked out over the landscape, her heart filled with a profound sense of peace.

Lianna joined her, walking up and wrapping her arms around Enverna from behind. She hugged her tightly, pressing her cheek against Enverna’s shoulder.

"We did it," Lianna whispered, her voice soft and filled with emotion. "We actually did it."

Enverna leaned back into her embrace, a contented smile on her lips.

"Yeah, we did," she said, her voice just as tender. Despite the physical changes they had endured (Lianna missing a hand and Enverna missing an arm) they had triumphed together.

Lianna’s kisses trailed along Enverna’s neck, each one a testament to her love and devotion. Enverna closed her eyes, savoring the moment.

"Don’t you want to dance with the others?" Enverna asked, her voice a gentle murmur.

Lianna shook her head, her lips never leaving Enverna’s skin.

"No. I want to be here with you."

Before their affection could deepen, the sound of footsteps approached.

Enverna’s stepfather and mother, Treon and Verana, walked up, their presence casting a momentary shadow over the intimate scene.

Things were tense, naturally. Enverna turned to face them, standing tall and resolute. Lianna remained by her side, her hand in Enverna’s.

"Mother," Enverna greeted, her voice calm but firm.

Verana’s gaze softened slightly as she looked at her daughter.

"Enverna," she replied, her tone cautious.

Treon’s eyes sized up Lianna, a mix of scrutiny and curiosity in his gaze. Lianna met his eyes with a steady, unwavering stare.

For a moment, the air was thick with unspoken words. But Enverna didn’t waver under their gaze. She held Lianna’s hand tightly, her resolve clear.

Verana took a step forward, her expression shifting to one of genuine warmth.

"I’m happy to see you again, Enverna," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.

The tension eased as Enverna and Verana moved closer, their arms wrapping around each other in a heartfelt embrace.

As the night wore on, the balcony became a place of laughter and reconciliation, a symbol of the new beginnings that awaited them all.

And in that moment, Lianna and Enverna knew that, despite everything they had lost, they had gained something far greater.

Each other.