Valeris City sprawled before Ethan like a living tapestry, its blend of futuristic skyscrapers and rugged charm refleg the p's trasting elements. The m light paihe metallic buildings in hues of gold and bronze, while the bustle of vendors and travelers filled the air with a hum of activity. Despite the energy around him, Ethan walked with purpose, his thoughts a steady curreh the noise.

  Today wasn't about missions, battles, or strategies. Today was for refle, a ce to step back from the uing chaos of his work.

  The memorial stood in the quieter northern quarter of Valeris, tucked away in a shaded pza surrounded by t cacti and resilie flora. It was a simple yet digructure, a polished sb of dark stone engraved with numerous hose who had fought and fallen in Kynara's endless struggle for survival and freedom.

  Ethan approached the mo slowly, his boots g against the gravel path. The air here seemed heavier, as if the weight of the past lingered iillness. He paused before the names, sing the etched letters until his gaze nded on a new one he koo well: Lyra Elenara.

  The memories came rushing back, the determination in her eyes as they faced impossible odds, and her final words urging him to plete the missiohan ched his fists, the ache in his chest resurfag.

  "I hope you're at peace," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the faint rustle of the desert wind.

  "Paying your respects?"

  Ethan turo see Malek approag, his rugged features softened by an uncharacteristically somber expression. Behind him, Rourke, the stoic heavy-ons specialist, followed with his usual measured stride.

  "We lost good people," Malek said, stopping beside Ethan and crossing his arms. His gaze flicked to the memorial. "Lyra... she deserved better. One of the bravest and ki D-Rank meraries i had the honor to meet."

  "That's why we need see this though until the end," Rourke said, his deep voice steady as always. "These men and woman sacrificed their lives because they cared. Cared about the fight, cared about us and this p. And that's why we keep moving forward. For her, and for everyone who 't."

  Ethan he weight of their wrounding him.

  "We've saved lives, Ethan," Malek added, pg a hand on his shoulder. "More than we'll ever know. Remember that when the guilt starts creeping in."

  Later, back at the guild hall, the lively atmosphere seemed to pull Ethan out of his somber mood. Meraries milled about, discussing bounties and missions, while hed over drinks. It was a reminder of the life they all shared, one filled with danger, camaraderie, and purpose.

  Ethan found himself at a er table, sipping a gss of water when Rourke joined him again.

  "You've been carrying a lot tely," Rourke said without preamble, his gaze pierg.

  Etha his gss down. "It's part of the job."

  "Yeah, but it's not all of it," Rourke replied. "You're D-Rank now, Ethan. People look to you. They see what you've done, what you're capable of. You've got a hell of a burden, but you're handling it better than most."

  Ethan regarded him for a moment, the weight of Rourke's words settling over him. "Thanks," he said quietly.

  "Just don't fet to breathe every now and then," Rourke said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Even the best need a break."

  As the day wore ohan found himself iraining wing, a group of F-Rank meraries preparing for their first major mission. Their excitement alpable, though tinged with nervous energy.

  "Walker!" one of them called out, spotting him. "Got any advice for us rookies?"

  Ethan smiled faintly, stepping closer. "I was just like you a few months ago. Watch each other's backs and stay sharp. And don't uimate your enemies, no matter how simple the mission seems. At least that's what got me through until now."

  They nodded eagerly, abs his words.

  Another merary hesitated before asking, "What about... when things g?"

  Ethan's smile faded slightly. "Things will g," he admitted. "The key is to adapt. Trust your training and your instincts. And if you make it out, learn from it. Every mistake, every success, it all makes you better."

  The meraries thanked him early, their fidence bolstered by his guidahan watched them head off, a flicker of nostalgia stirring within him. Its only been a few months since he arrived here, but it felt like years.

  Valeris City's streets were alive with activity as Ethan wahrough its bustling markets and shops. Vendors hawked their wares, their voices rising above the cmor of haggling ers. Shops dispyed everything from advanced gadgets and onry to exotic food and tris from distant worlds aors.

  Ethan paused at a shop selling ammunition, iing the sele with a dising eye. The vendor, a grizzled alien with scaled skin, greeted him warmly.

  "Walker, right? Heard about your wainst the Syndicate," the vendor said, his sharp teeth fshing in a grin.

  Ethan nodded, pig out ammo for his ser pistol and a pact EMP grenade. "Just doing my part."

  The vendor chuckled. "Well, keep at it. Here, 10% off just for you."

  Ethan paid for his supplies, thahe vendor and moved on, his mind still preoccupied.

  He stopped at a food stand serving Kynaran cuisihe st of spiced meats and roasted grains drawing him in. The vendor handed him a steaming pte, ahan found a quiet er to eat. The rich fvrounded him, a small moment of soce amid the chaos.

  As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades e and crimsohauro his ship. He sat in the cockpit, gazing out at the city lights flickering against the encroag darkness.

  His thoughts drifted to the challenges ahead, the looming assault on Kaelus Ryn's yon plex, the Syndicate's growing resilience, and the ever-present threat of loss.

  But amid the uainty, ohing remained clear: his resolve. With that, he began preparing for the mission, his determination as unyielding as the stars above.