A hush settled over the scene, broken only by the crackle of embers and Asahi's strained breaths. Time seemed to stretch as Asahi locked eyes with Phthonus, tension thick in the air.
Memories crashed over Asahi like a sudden wave.
He saw himself shouting at his friends, regret burning in his chest. Scenes flickered by: slamming Drimi to the ground, striking Phthonus hard, spitting blood as horrified screams echoed around him.
The crowd held its breath as Asahi and Phthonus stared each other down. Sunlight broke through the clouds, spotlighting them. With a heavy sigh, Phthonus slowly unwound his scarf, a radiant grin spreading across his face.
"I know that wasn't you, but I respect you for being honest. It was my fault that I didn't tell you I saved your sister earlier…."
Asahi's fist tightened. He let out a dramatic sigh and cut in.
"Yes… I know that. It wasn't my fault at all for exposing you in front of all these individuals. Even despite showing the worst of me, I…. can't believe that you still offered your hand."
Phthonus stepped back, shaking his head in disbelief.
The silence stretched on. Phthonus's gaze dropped to his golden bracelet, its jewels glinting along the chain. Then, a voice from his past echoed in his mind.
*"Please… dear Phthonus, no matter if it's a monster or a criminal, there is always a hint of love within each of their hearts. NO matter how evil they are, they always have a reason they are this way. Even if you are treated harshly, still persist in treating them with respect. And maybe someday, you might be treated the same as you treated them. Just have faith."
It was the voice of his lost love, the one who had guided him through the sands of Zomrack. A single tear traced down Phthonus's cheek as he imagined her smile, her words giving him strength to carry on.
The moment continued. Phthonus stepped forward, reached out, and placed his hand on the bracelet, calmly explaining to Asahi what it was.
"A long time ago, I had a lover. She was so kind and caring that I couldn't ever let go. When I lost her, I became cold and jealous. Without her words, I wouldn't be the person I am now."
Phthonus nodded, quickly brushing away a tear.
Suddenly, a warm hand gripped his, and a gentle voice broke through his thoughts.
"I know what it is like to lose someone."
Phthonus slowly tilted upward and saw Asahi smiling and nodding to him.
He whispered softly, resting his hand on Phthonus's shoulder.
"Treat others how you want to be treated.' That's what I was told whenever I went to a new world. No matter where you are, you follow the same rules. I'm glad you get it."
Asahi glanced at the Kitsune, watching it whimper beneath a crown of flames. He bit his lip, then faced the group. Dozens of vibrant eyes fixed on him as he stepped forward, voice ringing with newfound confidence.
"Everyone! I… apologize for what I did. I know it wasn't necessary. I know it was cruel and unjust to everyone. But now you know this, what you saw from me in the past was the worst I will ever be…
Asahi tightened his grip on his blade, his gray eyes mirrored in its polished surface. He turned to the group and strode forward.
"Everyone has a bad side, but you can fix it if you learn from your mistakes. Like a sword's edge, even if it's rusty or broken, there are still parts that make it whole."
Drawing a deep breath, he swept his blade through the air. The three knights, Phthonus, Aletha, and the villagers watched as he stood tall before them, sunlight illuminating his white hair. His voice carried through the forest.
"Think of people as swords! Even if broken, there are always pieces that make you who you are!"
A hush fell over the village.
No one spoke; all were shocked by Asahi's words. As Asahi slowly lowered his blade and turned toward the injured Kitsune, a loud, deep voice sounded from behind the group.
"Yeah, I trust this boy!"
Then, another voice joined in.
"Such kind and thoughtful words… he redeemed himself."
Cheers erupted for Asahi, with Belial and Phthonus adding their voices to the applause. Aletha stepped back, staring at her brother in astonishment, awed by his words.
"Those were the words from my brother?"
Suddenly, Drimi dashed over and smacked the back of Asahi's head, her laughter ringing out. Her fiery spirit had returned as she shouted in her trademark, gruff voice.
"I knew you had a brain in ya'! Keep it up, and don't make those words go to waste!"
Sally clapped her hands, while the others bowed in respect. He rubbed his knuckles. Phthonus walked up, patted him on the back, and let out a light chuckle—a sincere gesture, as if all the bad thoughts were washed away.
"I accept your apology."
Asahi's eyes widened in surprise, realizing Phthonus had truly changed during their time in the forest.
"You… do?"
Before Phthonus could finish, the elegant, aqua-haired woman approached Asahi, her presence graceful as she addressed him.
"I understand, and I forgive you for what you did in the basement. Your true self is different from what I saw. If you can keep this up, maybe one day you can relieve the citizens of Pladtioa from the corrupting rule of The Queen."
Though Asahi didn't fully understand Marina's words, he nodded, tucking her request away in his heart.
"Okay… I'll make sure to do--
Suddenly, Phthonus tapped Asahi's back and whispered, arms folded across his chest.
"Pretend that never happened. Forget what has been and focus on the present. You are a better young man than I thought you were. A brave soul, a learning soul that can pass through his problems. I suppose…"
A brief silence hung between Asahi and Phthonus before Phthonus straightened, his voice rising with newfound confidence.
"…I suppose that gods do have feelings just like humans."
Both wanderers stared in disbelief, stunned by Phthonus's unexpected words.
Even as the memory lingered, Asahi felt a surge of joy at Phthonus's words.
As Asahi turned away with a thumbs up, Aletha fidgeted with her hands, offered a small smile, and whispered to Phthonus in a gentle, forgiving voice.
"Thank you… Phthonus. For forgiving my big brother, Asahi. I knew he was a better person than that, and I knew he learned from his mistakes."
"No problem…"
As they began to rise, the earth trembled beneath them. Flames erupted, devouring the grass and revealing an ancient stone platform beneath the scorched ground. Village buildings toppled, swallowed by the inferno.
"What's that?"
Everyone spun toward The Kitsune's spot—she had vanished. Aletha's shriek pierced the chaos.
"Where's The Kitsune?"
Then, from above, the Kitsune descended like a sudden downpour, landing as a massive stone pillar erupted from the platform. Rocks scattered, fog thickened, and fire and ice crackled in the air. At the pillar's heart, a glowing object hovered above the stone.
Trees ringed the rectangular stone plate, forming a natural arena. As everyone retreated, Asahi muttered under his breath.
"What's… that?"
From out of the blue, a loud young voice pierced out from the mumbling crowd of goblin villagers.
"It's The Fruit!"
All Drimi, Belial, Sally, Phthonus, Marina, Asahi, and Aletha's eyes widened in surprise.
"HUH?!"
* * *
Astonishment rippled through the crowd—the legendary Fruit had been hidden right beneath their feet. Even Asahi and Aletha were stunned to discover the platform concealed under the village all along.
With each step the Kitsune took, tremors shook the forest. Her form defied imagination—mocha fur streaked with red from belly to crown. Flames roared around the arena's edge, sealing all exits.
Asahi and Aletha realized they were the only ones inside the arena's borders.
Asahi and Aletha pivoted, blades rising, exchanging anxious glances with the towering Kitsune as she advanced. Her eyes blazed with fierce crimson light.
Eleven burning tails swept through the air, swaying like giant cornstalks in the wind. The Kitsune loomed larger than ever, each step sending shockwaves that hurled people away from the arena's edge.
As Kitsune's nose leaned toward the wanderers, she raised her voice and lifted all of her tails up toward the scorching air.
"Flee, or face the wrath of the one who raises all."
Ignoring the warning, Asahi and Aletha met the Kitsune's gaze, blades poised for battle. The Kitsune retreated as a powerful, feminine voice cried out from beyond the flames.
"Asahi, Aletha, we can't get through these walls! You have to use up all your strength and slay the beast yourselves! Just… follow what your hearts tell you! Think about what this beast caused that led it and us to this point!"
A wall of blistering fire rose up, and waves of anxiety, confusion, and shock threatened to break Asahi and Aletha's resolve.
The wanderers pressed forward, hands shaking as they met the Kitsune's crimson stare. Sweat poured down their faces. Asahi tightened his grip, stepped into her path, and spoke.
"We won't! The villagers, the people, and Dreamtoe Cliff never deserved your punishments! It's just a false assumption fabricated by the lies you were told by your creator!"
The Kitsune bared her fangs with a snarl, her flames surging higher.
"How dare you mock my creator!? You two are the reason why my wrath is unleashed! As I said again, I have mercy on you two. LEAVE or face the consequences of my flames!"
Asahi and Aletha's eyes narrowed, knuckles white on their swords as rage burned within. Choking fumes clouded their thoughts, fury pounding in their chests.
As the Kitsune turned toward the treetops, Aletha dragged her blade along the ground, sparks flying. A memory of the fallen man flashed before her. She tightened her grip and murmured, voice barely above a whisper.
"No, he never deserved that…."
The memory of the journalist's desperate search for his children pushed Aletha onward.
As Aletha drew nearer, Asahi glanced down, haunted by memories of what he'd done to her.
"What could this force do to others? How many lives has she ruined by heightening emotions?"
Asahi strode forward, fists clenched, and shouted at the Kitsune.
"You have caused so much pain with your mind-tangling forces!"
The Kitsune's face twisted with frustration and fury as she glared at them.
It seemed she. Yet beneath her rage, it seemed she never truly wanted to end their lives. Odds against her, the Kitsune swung her eleven burning tails overhead, opened her jaw, ignited her claws with white light, and sprang forward with a roar that echoed through the forest.
"Then face your punishment!"
In a flash, the Kitsune vanished and reappeared before Asahi, her tails whipping toward his head.
The arena's fiery aura roared around him. Eyes shut, Asahi dodged, spun, and struck at the Kitsune—a metallic clang echoing. He weaved past fireballs and vaulted over pools of ash.
"Pay for what you did!"
The Kitsune lashed out at Asahi. Aletha sprang into action, her blade slicing a white arc through the air. Overcome by fumes, she gasped and crumpled to her knees.
"Not again…"
Breathless but resolute, Asahi circled the arena, gathering his last reserves of strength. He charged, blade flashing as it collided with one of the Kitsune's tails.
Sparks erupted as he sliced through one of the Kitsune's eleven tails. White dust burst from the wound. The Kitsune howled, whipping her tails and sending Asahi flying.
"AGH!" He screamed with his dust spilling from his leg.
Aletha Aletha sprawled on the ground, chest heaving, sweat drenching her as her arm trembled from the heat.n't…"
Aletha's grip faltered. Her blade slipped from her grasp as searing flames singed her hair, the ends curling into the smoky air.
Asahi fought on, blisters rising on his wounds. He struck, kicked, and narrowly dodged the Kitsune's slashing claws.
As the fumes cleared, Asahi recalled Aletha's tear-streaked face. The memory fueled his attacks—he swung fiercely at the Kitsune's legs, sweat and blood streaking his face and hair.
The Kitsune leaped and struck; Asahi dodged, slid, spun, and countered. As he fought, he whispered shakily to himself.
"You made me show my worst, you made many children disappear… You even…."
Ash and charcoal choked his lungs—he coughed, staggered, then lunged back into the fray, shouting as he repeated his attacks. Aletha, cheek pressed to the burning ground, squinted up at the battle.
Exhaustion gnawed at Asahi. Brown cyclones of dust spun around him, tossing him in every direction.
"ASAHI!"
Aletha slowly lifted her head. Through a haze, she watched Asahi strike, leap, and dodge, trails of Dust swirling behind his every move.
"Huh?"
Behind the beast, near the trembling trees, stood a tall, glowing man with brown hair and a beard, clutching the familiar book. Aletha's eyes widened, her heart pounding. She whispered, voice cold and faint.
"The… journalist?"
Suddenly, two children appeared behind the spirit, their round eyes wide, wearing brown tunics that matched the Journalist's description before his death.
Aletha instantly recognized the ghosts.
"The… children…?"
Asahi's shout reached her ears. Aletha turned to see him skidding across the ground, wounds splitting open and filling with ash. The Kitsune battered him with burning tails, hurling him into the wall of fire until he lay still, his white hair scorched and blackened.
Despite the agony, Asahi pushed himself upright, leaning on his sword. Watching her brother rise, Aletha remembered the words and sketches from the Journalist's diary, determination flooding her.
"I could see the sky flicker from night to day…."
She tilted her head, watching the sky flicker as harsh daylight gave way to gentle moonlight. Aletha remembered the book's final words.
"I hope everyone's safe; I hope the villagers are okay… I hope…"
The last sentence was gone—erased from both the page and Aletha's memory.
Aletha clenched her teeth, forced herself up, and seized her blade. The spirits of the Journalist waved to her, and the voice she'd once imagined while reading echoed through the forest.
"...that my children are at peace and smiling. Those were the last words. The page was torn…"
A flood of memories and resolve surged through Aletha.
Visions flashed: Asahi's fury, Phthonus and Drimi's support, the journal's sketches.
Memories blazing in her mind, Aletha advanced on The Kitsune, gripped her blade tight, and screamed.
"Stop!"
Just as the Kitsune lunged, a shimmering shield sprang up around Aletha and Asahi. From the flames, an elderly, irritable voice shouted.
"Set us free!"
Asahi turned to see the Journalist's spirit shielding them with ethereal energy. Trembling, he asked Aletha,
"Who are they…?"
Aletha staggered upright, wiping ash and blood from her lip. She hauled Asahi to his feet, gripped her blade, and leaned in, whispering with fierce resolve.
"They are the spirits of Dreamtoe."