The days leading to their wedding felt strangely calm, as if the world decided to give the two of them a quiet blessing before everything turned uncertain again.

Cassius genuinely wanted something grand. He even suggested an elegant venue, hundreds of guests, and a ceremony that would make headlines. But Kendrick and Zephany only smiled and shook their heads. With everything they had gone through, they did not need extravagance. They only wanted sincerity, warmth, and the people who truly mattered.

So the wedding was simple. Soft white drapes, a cozy garden venue, sunlight filtering gently through the leaves, and rows of chairs filled only by family and the closest friends. Christy cried the moment she saw Zephany walking down the aisle. Even though it was small, the moment still felt overwhelming.

Zephany wore a simple white dress, nothing overly glittery or dramatic, yet she looked breathtaking. There was a gentle glow in her eyes, the kind that spoke of peace and quiet certainty.

Kendrick stood at the altar, hands slightly trembling while trying to calm down his fast heartbeat. He had faced countless risks, near-death situations, and impossible missions, but nothing made him as nervous as this moment.

Pia, standing proudly as the loudest bridesmaid, leaned closer to Jeric and whispered loudly enough for several guests to hear, "He looks like he just swallowed his own tongue."

Jeric sighed, trying not to laugh. Reynold, sitting with arms crossed, pretended to look unimpressed, though his eyes clearly watched his sister’s every step, making sure she was truly happy.

Levy clasped her hands together tightly, giggling and struggling not to cry while Sophia recorded everything with composed elegance. Christy wiped her tears nonstop. Cassius tried to look dignified but even he had to clear his throat several times, clearly suppressing emotions.

When Zephany finally reached Kendrick, he let out a shaky breath, eyes softening so much it made everyone smile. The ceremony flowed gently, vows exchanged with quiet sincerity instead of dramatic declarations.

Kendrick’s voice trembled when he promised to love her, protect her, and never waste the time they were given again. Zephany smiled through tears, promising the same.

Of course, Pia could not keep quiet for long.

The moment the officiator said, "You may kiss the bride," Pia dramatically shouted, "FINALLY!" earning herself scolding looks and muffled laughter from everyone.

Even Zephany could not stop a laugh from slipping out. Kendrick chuckled too before gently cupping Zephany’s face, placing a soft, lingering kiss on her lips while the people around them clapped, cheered, and cried.

The reception was just as warm and lighthearted. Christy kept fussing over Zephany like a true mother. Levy never left her side, proudly calling her "sister-in-law" every few minutes.

Reynold ate quietly at first, but the more he watched the smiles around the table, the easier his heart felt. Maybe, he thought, his sister really had found another home here.

Jeric congratulated Kendrick with a rare genuine smile. Larman and Sophia greeted politely. Pia, meanwhile, caused chaos.

She gave a speech full of teasing, embarrassing stories about Zephany, dramatic crying, and over-the-top declarations.

"If Kendrick ever makes you cry, I’ll kidnap him and shave half his hair while he’s asleep," Pia boldly announced, making Kendrick choke and nearly spit his drink while everyone burst into laughter.

It wasn’t a perfect elegant wedding. It was noisy, sentimental, sometimes chaotic, but real. And that made it perfect.

After the long but fulfilling day, Zephany and Kendrick finally slipped away. They entered the car with soft smiles, hands intertwined, hearts settled in that peaceful warmth of belonging. They were ready for their honeymoon, ready to finally breathe after everything.

But the moment they sat down, something soft suddenly pressed over their mouths. A faint chemical scent flooded their senses. They struggled for a second, instincts kicking in, but their strength faded fast. The last thing Kendrick saw was Zephany’s blurred face trying to reach for him. Then everything went black.

Silence.

A while later, they slowly regained consciousness.

Zephany blinked first, groaning softly as her vision took time to adjust. When the surroundings finally cleared, her brows furrowed deeply. The room... the structure... the atmosphere... everything felt eerily familiar.

She slowly sat up, eyes widening.

"This place..." she murmured, scanning the area carefully. "Isn’t this where we did our Nulls training exams and evaluation? Why are we here?"

Kendrick had already woken earlier, calm but alert, expression tightened in thought. Instead of panicking, he quietly observed, mind piecing things together. He looked at Zephany, then around them again.

"It doesn’t look like we were brought here randomly," he said slowly. "This is too specific."

They both fell silent, thoughts automatically rewinding to the past weeks.

That mission.

The Helix data.

Brent.

Everything began from there. They still remembered how cautious they were, wanting to understand the mission before accepting it. They remembered planning to investigate quietly. But before they could go deeper, another mission came from The Archive, telling them to save Cassius and the others at Hollowgate.

Thinking about it now, the Helix mission... it was probably a trap.

The Chief.

He had used that mission to lure them.

At Hollowgate, everything broke open. They learned the truth about Cassius being the Watcher. The Chief being one of the Erasers, obsessed with becoming Watcher himself. The chaos. The danger. The revelations from twelve years ago.

After that, they completely stopped paying attention to The Archive. They were tired. They were hurt. They just wanted peace, to finally live.

So why were they back here?

As if responding to their thoughts, a sudden sound echoed across the room. A screen in front of them flickered to life.

Both of them turned sharply toward it.

And froze.

Cassius appeared on screen.

But not the composed, calculating Cassius they were used to. He looked defeated. Sitting beside an older man whose presence alone radiated authority and quiet terrifying power.

Cassius’s father.

The older man sighed deeply, staring at Cassius with disappointment wrapped in exhaustion.

"Son," he began calmly, "how long will you keep my grandchildren away from me? Aren’t you supposed to introduce them to me?"

Cassius looked so tired. His shoulders slumped slightly as if the weight he had been holding finally crushed him. He rubbed his forehead slowly, letting out a helpless sigh.

Of course he didn’t want this.

If there was something he desperately wished for, it was for Christy and his children to live peacefully. Far away from power. Far away from wars. Far away from everything that came with his family background. But apparently, no matter how hard he tried to keep them out... fate still dragged them back in.

With unwilling acceptance, Cassius finally muttered,

"Ken, Zeph... this is your grandpa."

The older man finally shifted his attention toward the camera, his stern face softening into a surprising warm smile.

"Hello, my grandchildren," he greeted gently. "I’m so happy to finally meet you."

Even though it was only a video, both Kendrick and Zephany straightened unconsciously, instinctively respectful.

They bowed slightly.

"Nice meeting you, Grandpa," they both said politely.

The older man looked extremely satisfied.

"Very good. Very good," he nodded approvingly. "I really like the two of you already. So capable. So outstanding. Unlike this son of mine."

Cassius visibly flinched.

The older man continued mercilessly.

"I gave him money, power, influence... yet he still keeps letting his enemies walk all over him. Always needing me to clean up his mess. I’m already too old for this. I have long lost hope in him."

Cassius covered his face with his hand, silently dying inside.

Why did his father not hold back even a little?

Kendrick’s lips twitched. Zephany tried very hard not to laugh.

The older man leaned forward again, smile returning.

"So," he said, voice turning firm. "Since I can no longer rely on this useless son of mine, I shall place my hopes on you two."

Both Kendrick and Zephany blinked.

Then he continued.

"As part of The Archive... and as my successors, I have a new mission for you."

Their eyes turned serious.

"A mission?" they both echoed.

He nodded slowly.

"Yes. From now on..."

They unconsciously leaned forward.

"...your mission is to train—"

Pause.

Kendrick and Zephany exchanged confused glances.

"...to become The Archive’s next Watchers."

Silence slammed into the room.

Their eyes widened simultaneously.

"What!?" they both shouted in unison.

And just like that, their peaceful married life shattered before it could even truly begin.

THE END.

_____________

Author’s Notes:

Finally, it is here!

Thank you so much to everyone who read Zephany and Kendrick’s story from the beginning until the end.

I’m truly grateful to all of you who supported me throughout this journey.

Thank you so much, my lovely readers. I would also like to give special thanks to my two very supportive and active readers, Momoka and Leezertje. You guys have been my motivation to keep writing this story. I hope you will continue to support my upcoming books as I continue my journey as an author. I love you all, my wonderful readers!

— Air_Ace