The night was quiet, calm, and blanketed by a canopy of stars. A soft breeze brushed over the campgrounds as seven young warriors, weary from battle but reborn in spirit, sat around a blazing fire in the middle of the field. The flames crackled, casting flickering shadows across their faces. It was a rare moment of peace in a world wracked by war.
Griffith returned with cans of drinks from the camp's canteen, tossing them to everyone with a grin. Claire brought an assortment of snacks, a joyful surprise. All of it, however, had been funded by Isabella. Their captain had gone one step further—she had cooked the main dish herself.
"I didn't expect the daughter of a noble family to know how to cook," I said, skeptical, looking at the steaming pot she placed on the ground.
"I like cooking very much," Isabella replied with a warm smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
We each took a bite. At once, silence fell.
Tears welled in our eyes.
"Was it that bad?" Isabella asked, her expression tightening in concern.
"No, it… it tastes amazing," Claire said, wiping a tear from her cheek. "I've never eaten food like this in my life."
"It reminds me of home," Griffith added, smiling as tears rolled freely. "Thank you, Captain."
Isabella's lips trembled. "I'm sorry… I'm really sorry," she choked, beginning to cry. "Because of us—the Six Families—you all suffered so much. I… I'm truly sorry."
"Don't cry, Isabella," Claire said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're not like them. You're different. We're lucky to have you as our captain."
Her words calmed Isabella down. She wiped her tears and smiled faintly.
"Can I ask you something, Isabella?" Sai spoke up, his tone gentle but curious.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Back in the spacecraft, when you were scared… you remembered your maid, not your family. Why?"
The fire crackled between us, and Isabella looked down at her hands before beginning.
"I am the youngest daughter of the Williams main family. When I was little, everyone loved me. My parents, my siblings, even the branch families—they all looked at me with pride. That changed the day I awakened my power. I was so happy… I could heal. Everyone congratulated me at first, thinking I'd be useful. But then they realized… my healing only works when I touch the wounded area directly. And I'm weak. Physically frail."
Her voice faltered, but she continued.
"Even servants could beat me in a fight. Slowly, my siblings stopped talking to me. My parents avoided me. The branch families mocked me behind my back. I became… invisible. A burden. Except to one person—my maid, Vanita. She took care of me, protected me. She stayed by my side when no one else did. But the family didn't want a noble child to grow attached to a servant. So… they killed her."
Silence again. This time, it was heavier.
"That's why I remembered her," Isabella finished. "Because she's the only one who truly loved me."
I looked into her eyes. "Then do you have any idea who might've set us up during the mission?"
Isabella shook her head. "No. I don't want to believe my family could do something like that."
"Isn't it obvious?" Powell suddenly said.
We all turned toward him.
"She's been a hidden shame to the Williams family. A weak child with a useless power? But now she's in the camp, among us. Among people. Word would spread eventually. That the Williams family produced a weakling. So what better way to erase that shame than to make her disappear… during a mission?"
Isabella's eyes widened. "No… no way. They wouldn't…"
Claire pulled her into a hug. "Even if they did… we're here now. And we're not going anywhere."
I leaned forward. "Isabella, do you like us?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"Did you like Vanita?"
"I loved her."
"Do you want to abolish the servant system?"
Isabella paused, then nodded firmly. "Yes."
"Then join me," I said.
"Join you?" Her voice was confused.
"I don't know if I can pull it off. But I want to end this war. I want to destroy the tyranny of the Six Families. I want to end the discrimination. I want to create a peaceful world where nobody suffers for their birth. That is my dream."
Powell laughed. "That's quite a dream you've got."
He leaned back, looking up at the stars. "I have a dream too. To explore the vastness of space. To uncover the secrets of the universe, its origin and end."
"I want to pilot the greatest spacecraft ever made," Austin chimed in. "And travel across galaxies with my own hands on the controls."
Claire smiled. "I want to farm. My family once owned paddy fields. I want to feel the soil, plant seeds, and harvest with my own hands. That's my dream."
"I don't have a grand dream," Griffith said. "I just want to live fully. Laugh, cry, love. Without regrets."
Everyone turned to Sai.
He scowled. "What?"
"Come on, Sai," Austin teased. "Don't be the odd one out. Tell us."
Sai sighed. "My dream can only come true if yours do. All of them. Because if this war doesn't end, dreams mean nothing. So yes. I want peace too."
The fire cracked louder, and the mood turned solemn.
I stood. "Then let's make a vow, here and now. We will end this war."
"It might be a dream too big to reach," Griffith said, rising beside me. "But I'll try. For my dream."
"I'm in too," Isabella said, rising to her feet. "I want to see a world where kindness isn't a weakness."
"One day, I'll pilot that great ship," Austin said, standing up.
"I'll farm under open skies," Claire added.
"I'll find the edge of the universe," Powell declared.
I sighed and finally rose. "Let's end this war. Together."
We all raised our hands toward the sky.
It was foolish. It was naive. But it was real.
We laughed. We cried. We dreamed.
And in that way, our little party came to an end—beneath the stars, beside the fire, and within a bond that would change the fate of the universe.