The sun dipped low over the Crown Kingdom, casting golden rays on its battered walls. Modernia stood near the seed vault, her silver hair fluttering in the breeze, her red eyes fixed on the horizon. Crown and Chime had mentioned visitors, but her heart raced with a flicker of hope she couldn’t name. Footsteps crunched behind her. She turned, wings twitching, and froze. The Commander emerged from the dust, their familiar silhouette unmistakable.

“Modernia?”

they called, voice soft yet steady. Her machine gun slipped from her grasp, clattering to the ground. She tilted her head, eyes wide, a childlike gasp escaping her lips.

“Commander…?”

They stepped closer, hands outstretched.

“It’s me. I’ve come back for you.”

Tears welled in her glowing eyes. She stumbled forward, then ran, crashing into their arms.

“Commander! Good… so good!”

she sobbed, clinging tight.

They hugged her back, whispering, “I never stopped looking.”