Lukas found himself in a small dream.

  He looked at his small hands, his small body, the size of a lumpa.

  As he walked, he saw a figure in golden armor, desperate.

  — And now the LEGIONARY has fainted!

  — Stop crying, witch, we have to wake him up!

  — I need to heal his body, he has several fractures… he could die!

  The figure was no more than twenty centimeters tall.

  Blond, straight hair, LEGIONARY posture, a small arched shield on his back and a gladius at his waist. Eyes like two full silver moons, overflowing with sacred energy — similar to a paladin’s mana, but more condensed. Pure.

  The eyes were full moons, burning.

  César shouted:

  — The boy… I know that posture!

  He ran toward Lukas — but was run over by another figure.

  Black-purple garments open at the sides.

  Long white hair, purple eyes, exuding black and purple shadow magic.

  She grabbed the boy, crying:

  — Sweetie… I was scared… I thought you had died…

  César fell with footprints on his face.

  — Shameless witch! Watch that mouth!

  — Let go! Let go of my LEGIONARY!

  Lukas laughed, still inside that strange space.

  — It’s good to see you…

  — Thank you for all the help…

  — You’re amazing…

  He looked around.

  — Look… I’m your size.

  — Wait… since when did we become small?

  Before César or Morgana could answer, a flash consumed everything.

  The dream shattered.

  Lukas woke up for real.

  The sun was rising over the rubble.

  The air smelled of iron and hot stone — the bittersweet scent of survival.

  Sorriso was still standing.

  In Kyros’s room, Lukas Fernandes opened his eyes.

  Bandages covered his entire body. Every muscle hurt as if it had been reforged with hammers.

  — César…? Morgana…?

  César answered immediately:

  — Present, young legionary.

  Morgana laughed:

  — We were always here, sweetie. You’re the one who blacked out.

  — I blacked out…?

  — Three days. — César completed. — Indomina disconnected you from your body.

  — Three days?! — Lukas’ eyes widened.

  — Slept like a rock. — Morgana teased. — I almost lost my patience.

  Lukas smiled awkwardly.

  — My bad…

  — Next time, warn us before dying. — César grumbled.

  Lukas went to the balcony.

  Sounds of laughter, children running.

  Gath still carrying the wounded, helping, bringing water and food.

  Shouts echoed through the streets:

  — We did it! Hahaha!

  — It was hard, man, they tried, but Sorriso IS standing!

  — Of course, with the Fernandes by our side!

  — The Gath, so many other soldiers, mages, paladins…

  — The Valkyries of the Sixth House of the Fernandes, the famous Clovers!

  — It was painful, but we made it!

  — Even the Delos professors helped!

  — Tailer with the daggers… Kombat Kanji… — someone said. — I still get chills remembering it.

  — Who did that defense? — another shouted. — They’re saying it looked like a turtle shell!

  — It covered the entire empire like interconnected constellations, like fireworks in the sky!

  — Isn’t that incredible?!

  Lukas looked toward the noise.

  Sorriso was being reborn.

  Houses being rebuilt. Soldiers patrolling. Children running among the ruins.

  The Gath still on duty, searching the debris to make sure no one was left behind.

  Paladins, mages, elves, demi-humans… all fought under one single banner in Sorriso.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  The banner of the Black Sun.

  — And this time… there is still a dawn. — Lukas murmured. — Sorriso is still firm in the South.

  People looked up.

  A dark-haired boy, brown-eyed, dark-skinned, frail, completely bandaged, stood on the balcony.

  — LOOK THERE! THE INVINCIBLE SKINNY ONE!

  — THE SWEETIE!

  — HE FINALLY WOKE UP!!!

  — Long live the tenth branch of Kyros!

  — Long live the Tenth House!

  — Long live the tenth son, Lukas! The leader of the Tenth!

  The chorus grew.

  The tears came.

  The boy’s tears were heavy, full of emotion — as if the bitterness of his past life were falling as tears.

  Dense, burdened, finally leaving his chest.

  — Cry, boy. — César said softly. — A man doesn’t break when he cries. He cleans himself.

  — So cry in peace. You did it. Your city is standing. The South IS standing, legionary. I am proud.

  — Now yes… — Morgana murmured. — True pride. My sweetie went back in time just for this moment.

  Then something blue landed on the balcony.

  A hummingbird with dark-blue feathers, almost black, vibrating with excitement.

  — YOU ARE AMAZING! — he shouted. — I SAW EVERYTHING!

  — A warrior like you crying? — he joked.

  Lukas blinked and laughed.

  — Haha… I’m just removing the bitterness from my heart.

  — And by the way, little friend… you talk?

  — I TALK! — he puffed out his chest. — And I talk a lot! I’m Rinzo Aurin, future messenger of the Houses of Delos!

  — Future?

  Rinzo scratched his head with his wing.

  — Yeah… I failed nine times.

  — Nine?! — Lukas’ eyes widened.

  — They said I’m too small, too distracted, too excited… — he lowered his wings.

  — But I believe in people. Even the worst ones. Especially them.

  César murmured:

  — This bird is dangerous.

  — Why? — Lukas asked.

  — He believes too much. — Morgana added. — Just like you.

  Rinzo perked up again:

  — Did you KNOW that in Delos every true student has a companion?

  — Companion?

  — Yes! Some carry messages, others assist in combat, others warn of danger! We’re partners! Not pets!

  He flapped his wings quickly.

  — And what you did… — Rinzo swallowed hard. — The entire empire felt it.

  — A barrier like a shell, sealing everything. That was your doing, right?

  Lukas looked away.

  — I… just did what was necessary.

  — LIE! — Rinzo shouted. — That was beautiful! You protected everyone!

  Morgana smiled.

  — He likes you.

  — I haven’t invited anyone yet. — Lukas said seriously.

  Rinzo went quiet for a second.

  — I know. — he said softly. — I’m not strong… but I don’t give up.

  Silence.

  Lukas took a deep breath.

  — If you fly with me… storms will follow.

  Rinzo broke into a huge smile.

  — THEN CALL ME WHEN IT RAINS! THAT’S WHEN I FLY BEST!

  César sighed.

  — You chose another problem.

  Morgana laughed.

  — Suits you.

  — Then it’s decided. — Lukas smiled. — You fly with me.

  The sun traced the hummingbird’s wings in an infinite line.

  Rinzo felt two presences inside the boy.

  One of ordered light. Another of chaotic shadow.

  — …Maybe that’s what makes him fly differently.

  Lukas watched the sky.

  — Maybe the world still deserves hope.

  And thus was born the duo that would mark a new era:

  Lukas Fernandes, the Invincible Skinny One.

  Rinzo Aurin, the hummingbird who believed even in the worst humans.

  End of Chapter 17