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"Sorry for being late," Celes said as he walked onto the stage.

Unlike other wedding ceremonies, the groom did not have to wait for the bride. The culture of Golden Sand was flexible and forgiving about such things.

Still, Nyx was pouting.

"You’re one minute late!"

"I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you."

The priest nodded and began reading from an ancient book about the Oasis Spirit and her teachings on true love. She spoke of how bonds, no matter the passage of time or the distance between worlds, would remain forever as long as both remembered each other.

Among the guests, the ghostly form of Eustace stood watching. He shed a few quiet tears as memories of Naiad flooded back. Then he sighed and gazed up at the bright sun.

Eventually, the priest turned to the couple.

"Nyx, do you swear to always love and forever remember the bond you have created with your beloved for all eternity, even when the dunes and sands shift until the desert is no longer recognizable as it once was?"

"I do..."

"And you, Celes, do you swear to always protect, love, and provide for your beloved and forever remember the bond you have created with her for all eternity, even when the dunes and sands shift until the desert is no longer recognizable as it once was?"

"Yes, I do."

The priest nodded. Celes and Nyx looked at each other. Celes gently lifted the veil, revealing Nyx’s beautiful face. His heart skipped a beat. She was breathtaking.

"Then you may kiss the bride and forever forge a bond that— Oh!"

The priest quickly stepped back as the couple kissed passionately, embracing each other tightly and refusing to let go.

"I love you. I’ll always love you..." Celes whispered.

"Me too! I love you so much, Celes!" Nyx giggled.

Celes lifted her into his arms, carrying her as she laughed with joy.

As the sun set and the starry night arrived, a grand celebration began. Everyone rejoiced happily under the desert sky.

Eustace watched the scene with a calm smile and sighed in relief.

"I guess... I have finally accomplished my goal here. I protected the boy and helped him as much as I could. I even avenged you, Naiad..."

As he gazed at the moon, his body slowly began turning into particles of shimmering water.

Yet deep down, a slight tinge of sorrow lingered. His wife had reincarnated into someone else. Even if he passed on, she would never reappear in the afterlife.

"Eustace?"

Celes noticed the knight’s fading form and ran toward him.

"Eustace!"

"Ah, young lord."

"What is happening?"

"I remained as a ghost all this time because I knew my grudges would one day end," Eustace explained. "I never intended to stay here forever. I have fulfilled my purpose. It is time to say goodbye."

"...I see."

Celes did not try to stop him. He could see how resolute Eustace was. Half of the knight’s body had already vanished.

"Then... Naiad, would you like to go with him too?"

"...?!"

Eustace gasped. From within Celes, a faint spiritual figure emerged.

It was only a piece of Celes’s soul.

But it was her.

"N-Naiad...?!"

Eustace stepped back in shock.

"C-Celes, what is this?! Why?!"

He was stunned. Was it really her, or some cruel spell meant to mock him?

No... Celes was not that kind of person.

"It’s me, Eustace."

"B-But how?! Naiad...! NAIAD!"

Even as he continued to fade, Eustace flew toward her and hugged her tightly, smiling through his tears.

"As I grew stronger and awakened the powers within my soul, I was able to slowly piece together the fragments of her memories and rebuild her consciousness," Celes explained. "I’m sorry for never telling you... I completed her a few days ago, but I wanted it to be a surprise after the wedding. She has recovered enough to form a spiritual body, though it is still faint."

"N-Naiad..." Eustace cried. "I...!"

"Let’s go together, Eustace," Naiad said with a gentle smile. "You have waited long enough, right?"

"Y-You... don’t want to stay with the boy?" Eustace asked.

"No," Naiad replied softly. "He has grown enough. I have taught him all I know, and now... he truly makes me proud. I just want to rest by your side."

"Naiad..." Eustace wept as he held her. "I never forgot you...! I never...! I love you... Naiad...!"

"I love you too, Eustace," Naiad whispered, kissing his ghostly lips through her tears. "Let’s go together..."

"Yes..." Eustace nodded, embracing her tightly.

Slowly, while hugging and kissing each other, smiling and laughing as they reminisced about the past, Eustace and Naiad ascended higher and higher beneath the starlight and moonlight.

Their souls merged, shining as brightly as a star, before they finally disappeared.

"Thank you for everything, Eustace, Naiad..." Celes said quietly, smiling as he gazed at a bright azure star in the night sky. "I will never forget you."

Celes returned to his family and Nyx, enjoying the feast, music, and dances of his people and the culture he had missed for so long.

As the night grew late and the festivities gradually quieted, Nyx and Celes made their way to the palace. The ruler had granted them a grand room for their wedding night.

Finally alone, both knew what was coming. Yet because they had no experience and had only heard stories from others, they felt very nervous.

Nyx seemed more eager. She sat on the bed and began undressing, revealing beautiful lingerie that beautifully accentuated her body.

Her wide hips, full chest, slender frame, pale skin, red eyes, long white hair, and shimmering black crystal scales made her look utterly gorgeous in his eyes.

Her tail wagged expectantly as she looked at Celes with a mix of eagerness and shyness.

"D-Dear... Shall we?" she asked softly.

"Uh, yeah..." Celes’s hands trembled as he walked toward her. "You look so beautiful..."

"Heheh, why don’t you let me see you better?" Nyx smiled and began undressing him.

Once they were on the bed, they started kissing. As the kisses deepened, things grew hotter. They slowly explored each other’s bodies, taking their time because the night was still young.

Gradually, they discovered what felt good and embraced one another more fully.

Over time, their passion intensified.

Celes held Nyx close and gently spread her legs while she invited him further.

"I want it inside... Celes...! Let’s do it for real... No more playing around~"

"N-Nyx...!"

Unable to hold back his desire any longer, Celes slowly thrust forward. Nyx moaned adorably, sharing deep kisses with him as she spread her legs wider and then locked them around his back, pulling him closer.

While hugging her tightly and moving his hips almost by instinct, Celes began to move. The warmth he felt was overwhelming, and he thought he might lose his mind.

Nyx felt the same. Celes was larger than she had imagined. He moved slowly at first, spreading her wider with each careful thrust. He was so warm, and every time he reached deep inside, it felt incredibly good.

They gradually lost all their embarrassment and embraced each other in passionate, nonstop lovemaking. As time passed, they grew wilder. At one point, Nyx could no longer contain her draconic instincts. She pushed Celes down and began riding him relentlessly, biting his shoulders and neck with her sharp teeth and leaving many love marks.

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