The day after the fight, the Royal Arena was crowded once again.
But unlike before, there was nobody preparing for the fight, no clashes of weapons or explosions of magic. There was another atmosphere – it was the air of ceremony and celebration instead of battles.
The whole arena was decorated for the ceremony of the championship.
Royal banners were hanging from the highest walls of the arena – their blue and golden fabric shone in the morning sun. Golden flowers were around the center platform of the arena – their petals were dancing in the wind. Knights were standing in the rows along the stairs that lead to the royal balcony – their armor shone like mirrors.
Other tournament participants were standing below – they were all proud and tired but satisfied.
Kai Viper was among them with his spear on the shoulder – he was looking ahead attentively.
Mira Kingston was standing nearby with crossed arms and slight smile.
Gareth Gerat was looking proudly with huge shield somewhere.
King Gale was standing next to his bears – Bruno, bear, was sitting next to his master.
And Rudy Kiss...
He was missing.
Roxy noticed that – her eyes were searching in the crowd. "Where’s Rudy?"
Snow barked annoyed, his golden eyes narrowing.
Roxy nodded. "Exactly."
Jennie giggled. "You’re both unfair."
Roxy looked at her with disbelief in the eyes. "She kissed you."
"It was just a greeting."
"She kissed you."
Jennie sighed, her shoulders falling down. "You’re still jealous?"
"I’m not jealous."
Snow barked, laughing.
Roxy looked at her feet, blushing slightly. "Stop agreeing with her."
Jennie giggled again, her shoulders relaxing.
Then trumpets rang loudly – their bronze sounds resounded in the arena.
The crowd fell into silence – thousands of voices died at once.
Arthur Queens entered first in the arena – he was wearing his official royal uniform that was decorated with the coat-of-arms of Seraiya – flying wyvern with golden wreath. His appearance was authoritative and respectful – many years he was serving in the kingdom of Seraiya.
Lucas was walking next to him in the armor of the Royal Knights with hand on his sword hilt. His eyes were examining the assembled warriors.
Then came Aurelia.
Divine Sword of Light was on Lilia’s side – it was shinning quietly with golden color of the scabbard.
And finally...
Queen Lilia entered the arena.
The crowd immediately stood up with thousands of voices together.
"LONG LIVE QUEEN LILIA!"
The cheers went through the arena like the thunder and shook the arena stadium.
Jennie was standing among the finalists with fast beating heart.
She was watching Lilia coming, moving her eyes with every movement of the Queen. Her white-and-gold dress was shinning with morning sun rays, and her silver hair was flowing under the sapphire crown. She was moving gracefully and dignifiedly, and she was filling the arena with her silent authority.
Jennie’s heart was beating faster.
She didn’t know why – it was not the fear or excitement. It was the something warm, and it was hurting her.
Lilia stopped in the middle of the platform and was looking around the gathered warriors.
And then she saw Jennie.
For the moment, nothing else seemed to exist.
Only Jennie and Lilia were just looking at each other.
Then, for some reason, Lilia smiled softly.
Jennie looked aside, blushing a little.
Why does she do it?
Roxy whispered, her voice was almost unhearable. "She’s looking at you again."
Jennie looked at her with furrowed brows. "Doing what?"
"Looking at you."
"I don’t know."
Roxy narrowed her eyes, her suspicion was obvious. "She does it a lot."
Jennie sighed, her shoulders falling down. "You’re imagining things."
Snow barked in agreement.
Roxy pointed at him. "Even Snow agrees."
Jennie looked offended, her cheeks puffing. "You two are impossible."
Lilia’s voice suddenly rang across the arena clearly and commandingly.
"Raven."
Jennie’s face became serious, her playfulness disappearing.
She went forward, moving silently with the steps.
The crowd started applauding her, approving her.
Jennie was going toward the royal platform – the distance between her and Lilia was stretching and shrinking.
She reached the bottom of the stairs.
Then she kneeled, looking down.
"Your Majesty."
Lilia looked at her with unreadable expression.
For some reason, seeing Jennie kneeling before her didn’t seem right to her – the strange discomfort appeared in her heart. She didn’t know why. Many times she had seen nobles, generals, kings from the distant lands kneeling before her. But now, when it was Raven, Lilia wanted her to stand.
"Rise."
Jennie looked up, her eyes meeting the eyes of Lilia.
Lilia paused, her heart aching.
Then she smiled softly. "Please."
Jennie rose up, straightening.
Lilia turned to the royal attendants, moving quietly.
The ceremonial medal was brought, laying on the velvet cushion. It was silver and gold medal, decorated with the coat-of-arms of Seraiya – flying wyvern with golden wreath behind it and small crystal of the seven Divine Swords.
Lilia picked it up, her fingers touching cold medal.
"This medal is awarded to the champion of the Greatest Fight Tournament."
Her eyes were fixed on Jennie, never waver.
"Raven."
Jennie was standing straight with perfect posture.
"Your swordsmanship has inspired thousands."
Lilia’s voice became softer and intimate.
"Your courage has earned the respect of warriors from every kingdom."
Jennie smiled softly, and something warm spread in her heart.
"And your victory has given this tournament a champion worthy of its name."
The crowd was applauding her, their cheers resonating in the arena.
Lilia approached her, moving quietly.
Jennie was holding her hands, opening them up.
She put the medal in them.
Their fingers touched.
And then—
Lilia froze.
Something hot rushed through her arm and spread into her chest, causing her to widen her eyes and stop breathing.
The arena disappeared.
She was somewhere else.
Not in the Royal Arena. Not in Seraiya. Not even in this timeline.
She was standing under an ancient tree whose branches covered her in shade. Sunlight filtered through its leaves, creating golden patterns on the grass.
A girl was laughing.
Lilia couldn’t see her face; couldn’t read her features. But she recognized that laugh. Recognized it somewhere deep inside of her soul that slept for years.
"Wait!"
Younger Lilia ran, crossing the field, reaching out with her hand.
Lilia grabbed it, intertwining their fingers.
Two girls ran, their laughs blending with the rustle of leaves.
The world spun around them—sunlight and shadow, happiness and innocence.
Yet another memory.
The girl sitting next to her. White hair. Eyes sparkling. Smile.
The same smile as the one that Jennie gave her yesterday.
Lilia’s heart beat fiercely, making her breath hitch.
Who are you?
And suddenly the memory changed.
Two girls sitting under the tree with their legs stretched out in front of them. The girl with her head leaning on her shoulder.
Lilia could hear her own young voice, soft and sincere.
"You’ll stay with me, right?"
The girl laughed, sounding truly happy.
"Of course."
Then Lilia tried to grab on to this memory, but it blurred, disappearing behind a haze.
"Wait..."
Then the memory of the girl holding her hand, the laughter, the run appeared again.
Then—
Darkness.
Lilia could hear someone scream, the voice filled with grief. But she couldn’t recognize anyone because her vision was blurred.
Sword. Blood. Fire.
Then someone called a name.
"Jennie!"
Lilia’s eyes widened, making her heart stop.
Memory shattered.
---
She was back in the arena, staggering.
She was breathing unsteadily, making her heart beat fiercely in her chest.
The medal nearly dropped from Jennie’s hands.
"Your Majesty?" Jennie sounded worried.
Lilia looked at her—at her face, her white hair, her eyes.
Those eyes.
And suddenly—
Lilia understood.
Not everything. Not even close. She didn’t remember the whole of her past; didn’t know what had happened. Couldn’t remember when the two girls met, how they were separated, why the name Leonis was tied with these memories.
But she remembered enough.
The hand. The laugh. The tree. The girl.
And the feeling of belonging.
Lilia’s eyes widened. "Raven..."
Jennie became worried, her brows furrowed. "Your Majesty?"
Lilia looked at her, her lips trembling.
She reached towards Jennie’s face but stopped an inch from it.
She couldn’t explain why she needed to touch her, why it hurt her so badly that her heart bled and tears started falling from her eyes.
But she knew one thing.
Raven wasn’t a stranger.
She’d never been a stranger.
"You’re..." Lilia couldn’t continue, her voice caught in her throat.
Jennie’s expression changed, her eyes became piercing. "What?"
Lilia looked at her, her memories fading. But this time she didn’t panic. She clung to what remained—a girl, her hand, a promise and a name that somehow survived her long-forgotten memories.
Lilia whispered. "Why do I remember you?"
Jennie stopped breathing.
No one in the crowd could hear the Queen. Not Arthur. Not Lucas.
Just Jennie.
Jennie stared at Lilia, having nothing in her mind. "What did you say?"
Lilia swallowed, her throat tightened. "I..."
She looked at Jennie’s face, and the memory hit her again. The girl, the laugh, the hand, a name. Not Raven. It was different.
Lilia’s eyes were filled with tears as she said. "You’re not a stranger."
Jennie couldn’t breathe.
Lilia stepped closer to her, speaking so softly that her voice broke. "You never were."
Jennie stared at her, her heart beating fiercely.
She wanted to talk to her—ask what memories she recalled and tell her all the things she should’ve told long ago. About that year of their separation, the life she lived, her promise.
But she couldn’t do it here. In front of everyone.
Lilia realized suddenly that her tears started falling from her eyes. She hastily wiped them, losing her calmness.
Arthur was alarmed at once. "Your Majesty?"
"I’m fine," she whispered.
But her voice wasn’t steady; her hands were shaking.
Jennie looked at her in concern. "Are you sure?"
Lilia looked back—and for a moment, the Queen and the champion just stood there, looking into each other’s eyes.
Then Lilia smiled.
It was a weak smile—but Jennie recognized it.
Somehow she remembered it too.
An old memory of a girl smiling under the tree.
Jennie’s eyes widened.
The flash of memory crossed her mind—a younger Lilia, holding her hand and calling her something. Jennie couldn’t hear her name, couldn’t make out the words.
Then the memory was gone.
Jennie instinctively touched her forehead, frowning.
"You saw it too," Lilia said softly.
Jennie looked at her, searching with her eyes.
They didn’t need any explanations. Something happened. Something woke up. Not entirely; not enough to restore the past. But enough to prove that the past existed.
Lilia looked at her, her voice barely audible. "I know you."
"Do you?" Jennie’s eyes trembled, her heart ached.
Lilia nodded. "I don’t remember everything." She looked at their hands, touching Jennie’s fingers. "But I remember you."
Jennie felt her throat tightening, tears threatening to spill.
It had been years since she had thought that her past was behind her – that Leonis was dead, that life was over, that she was reborn anew. She became Jennie; she created herself anew, she found people to care about her.
But looking at Lilia, Jennie saw something that she didn’t expect.
Perhaps it wasn’t over? Perhaps the past was just waiting for those right people to meet?
Gently closing Jennie’s hand around the championship medal, Lilia looked at her, her face full of warmth and reassurance.
"Keep it."
Looking at the medal in her hand, Jennie felt its smooth and cold surface.
"The prize?"
"Yes," came the answer.
Then Lilia bent forward a little and whispered.
"But I think that maybe I found someone who is more valuable to me than any tournament champion."
Her heart leapt and caught in her throat, and before she could even ask about what Lilia meant, the crowd broke out in clapping and cheering.
They have seen their Queen giving the champion his prize. They have seen the medal.
They haven’t seen anything else.
For them, this was a beautiful ceremony of awarding of the champion.
But for Jennie and Lilia, this meant everything.
Moving back a little and adopting the look of the Queen of Seria, she was looking into Jennie’s eyes with warmth and understanding.
Looking at her, and then down to the medal in her hands, Jennie said nothing.
There was no need to.
Because for the first time since Jennie had come back to this world, someone from her past started remembering her.
And Lilia knew only one thing for sure – Raven wasn’t a stranger. It was someone Lilia used to love enough to remember.
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