The footsteps echoed in the back of a courtroom. A man looked at a document, drew a deep breath, and touched the message written beside it: "A gift from Lucy and from those who love you."
After a controlled sigh, he entered the courtroom. The people stared at him with serious expressions, others simply curious, some clearly judgmental. Among them, a young woman held her hands against her chest, hoping everything would end well.
The judge presented the case, explaining that due to the absence of Lhariane Des Montes, the defendant, Vector, needed to present solid proof or he would suffer the worst possible punishment, death.
The audience murmured that he was lucky to be given such a chance after helping during the incident in NeonyRain. They also murmured that it was convenient for him to have all the required evidence. As for how he obtained it, no one seemed to care.
Vector heard the whispers and silently agreed. He truly was lucky.
When he placed the documents on the table, he began to present a defense for each accusation. He showed the DNA sample found on his shirt, preserved to be rubbed onto the accuser's body. He revealed the transfers sent to her family, every pain attributed to him. He showed conversations, Lhariane's private statements, and the staged performances.
There was, however, an important addition. He proved that he had not participated in Lhariane's death. Although he had escaped from prison, he demonstrated that he had harmed no one during that period and revealed that the woman was nothing more than a puppet in a much larger corruption scheme.
The attendees examined the documents in astonishment. The judge clenched his fists, disturbed. He considered it bold to accuse the families killed in the NeonyRain incident of manipulation.
Vector firmly stated that it was not an accusation. It was fact.
The judge received the documents and analyzed every line, every image, every piece of fabric. He realized that everything had been orchestrated, a malicious plan created by powerful families seeking even more power, even at the cost of an innocent man, of a son.
With that, he struck the gavel and declared the case closed. Vector was innocent. People applauded. The woman who had been watching him from the start felt enthusiasm overflow into happiness.
The judge added that Vector would perform some services as compensation for minor infractions, but his rights would be restored.
Thus ended the trial.
As he left the courtroom, Alice ran to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Vector held her by the waist and sensed a romantic atmosphere rising in that clean rain, under a sky always cloudy yet still beautiful and bright.
While they walked home, Alice asked what they would do from then on. Vector replied that he planned to enjoy everything life offered them, with the woman he loved most and with their daughter. Before that, however, he needed to give thanks.
Before three graves, they placed flowers for Sybenkiosk Mariane, Luciana Morgan, and Skyler Fogue. Alice sighed, overwhelmed by longing. Vector pulled her against his chest and whispered that they would never be forgotten.
Alice lamented the revelation that Skyler Fogue was Slady, the Theatrical Assassin, the Assassin of the Century, the Servant of Truth. Vector said he did not care. He was grateful for the man he had known, not for the identity he had hidden.
They looked at the sky and reflected on the destruction and pain they had faced. Now, finally, they could live together. Forever, happily.
***
Sitting beneath a tree with only a cloth wrapped around her chest, the redhead watched the city with a melancholic gaze. NeonyRain was safe, free from any Inférius, but she wondered at what cost.
Wishing to push those thoughts aside, she placed her sword at the waist of her kimono and prepared to return. The walk was long and peaceful. At times she entered the Inférius and destroyed everything with a single strike. Demons, mountains, any form in that dimension would vanish.
When the Renkai Energy weakened, allowing the Inférius to close, she returned and continued silently. Perhaps hours passed. Without running, time felt far too slow.
When she arrived at the temple, disciples bowed to her and said they had missed her. Ferinish returned the gesture and asked everyone to enjoy a few days with their families.
Alone, she leaned against another tree. She watched the city with her knees drawn to her chest while she thought about everything.
Now Shaphira, recognized as an ally of humanity, had permission from Aurora to integrate herself into the city. The creature refused, choosing to live in her own realm, yet she offered another proposal: to allow demons to live among humans.
Ferinish remembered the shock of the people. Shaphira explained that only creatures under her command could enter the city and perhaps have the freedom to go wherever they wished. The proposal was bold. Even so, after long discussions, it was accepted.
One year later, the change was evident. Some demons were adopted as pets, others served as beasts of burden, and those with humanoid forms lived in society with caution, just as humans did, who still feared them. Despite this, harmony prevailed.
A soft scent reached Ferinish's nose. When she turned, she found Shaphira beside her in humanoid form with a gentle smile. The young demon hugged her and called her mother. Ferinish stroked her back and replied that she was not her real mother. Shaphira rolled her eyes, tired of the warrior's self-deprecation. She said Ferinish had been the best mother possible and that this was enough.
Ferinish looked away. She did not feel worthy of the title. She now considered herself a Sinner of Krythos, limited and unmotivated. Shaphira dismissed this. With her tail, she helped the older woman stand and suggested a walk.
In Libretãnhya, Shaphira held Ferinish's hand with pride. The redhead remained expressionless, but her heart was slowly growing used to the demon's kindness. Renkai creatures bowed to Shaphira and humans placed their hands over their chests in respect to the Pillar of Combat.
They strolled through cafés, diners, and cultural restaurants. They did not spend money in all of them, but they appreciated the city's beauty.
At the Demon Hunters Association, they climbed the stairs and saw men, women, and demons training or looking for missions. The ranking system had been redesigned, demanding more and increasing the efficiency of services.
At the highest level, they encountered a surprise. Elisa was there, standing before Aurora's robotic armor. The leader ordered her to travel to a distant island with a high concentration of Renkai Energy. Elisa asked about the status of her army. Aurora assured her she would supervise everything.
Elisa agreed and asked for the island's name. It was Queimada Grande Island. Aurora explained that in the Ancient Society, it had been near São Paulo in Brazil. Five centuries later, it had become a territory overrun by extremely dangerous Renkai Creatures. She wanted Elisa to investigate and eliminate all demons present there.
Noticing the two Pillars behind her, Elisa greeted them. Ferinish asked why Elisa was being sent alone to such a dangerous place. Aurora answered that the general possessed a rare Blood Magic ability that could protect her against Renkai Creatures and aid her adaptation.
Realizing the argument was lost, Ferinish left in search of Faller and Victoria. Before Elisa finished, Shaphira slammed her hand on the table and declared that she would accompany her. The armor stepped back slightly and asked why she had needed to hit so hard. Shaphira admitted she wanted to make a dramatic scene.
After the confirmation, Aurora congratulated Shaphira on her first mission as the Pillar of Unification. When the room emptied, the armor walked to a cold compartment, lay on a stretcher, and shut down its systems. The mutilated body inside it was beginning new reconstruction methods.
While Shaphira greeted the Renkai Creatures under her command, Elisa marched out of the city with a serious expression, holding the sword's hilt. Shaphira asked her to be less rigid. Elisa replied that she was irritated by recent revelations. Her uncle, someone she considered almost a father, was alive and mentally controlling an entire city. Shaphira acknowledged her pain. Elisa squeezed her hand and promised to protect her always. Shaphira thanked her with a gentle smile.
Outside Libretãnhya, they walked through the forest, discussing trivial matters, until Elisa asked where Shaphira had been in the years after her expulsion. The demon grew uncomfortable and asked to show her later. Elisa accepted, though unsatisfied.
Shaphira stepped in front of her and suggested using a familiar method. She turned her back and began to change shape. Her clothing became a seat and fur grew along her body. Her tail and ears appeared. Within moments, the dark-furred fox stood there. Elisa laughed and mounted her, stroking her head before they set off.
***
It would not be easy.
Days later, Shaphira slept on the general's back, held firmly in place. The demon woke complaining about the distance. Elisa explained that they were not near Libretãnhya nor NeonyRain. They were heading toward a distant nation hostile to visitors.
When Shaphira asked why, Elisa rolled her eyes and said that a soldier interested in geography had shown her the current configuration of Brazil. The nation had been taken over by the natives and now possessed its own technology and advanced forging.
Suddenly, Elisa dodged an attack. Shaphira grew alarmed at the sight of a spear imbued with pure Renkata, capable of making a tree wither and die within seconds. Elisa added that the natives had learned to use magic in the form of alchemy, something she had never seen involving Renkai Energy.
She threw Shaphira to the ground and ordered caution. The region was now called Brazilovia. Leaning against a tree, Elisa explained that the First Renkai Awakening devastated lands and altered climates across the entire world. Shaphira asked about the lack of advanced technology. Elisa explained that the local people chose to live in harmony with nature. They should not be underestimated.
Shaphira climbed rocks that formed a barrier and said she wanted to earn their friendship. Elisa shouted that her sister was crazy. As soon as Shaphira reached the top, several spears were hurled at her. Elisa ran and cut them all with her sword. Then she saw the landscape.
The sight was breathtaking. Clear waterfalls among mountains. Giant animals living alongside humans. Bare-chested women moving without fear. It was a scene of raw and wild beauty.
Weapons were thrown at them once more and both fell from the mountain. Shaphira screamed like a frightened girl while Elisa struggled to think through the adrenaline. They landed in a bush and, when they opened their eyes, they found spears aimed at their faces. Muscular indigenous warriors spoke in an unknown language, deciding their fate.
Elisa opened her arms to appear peaceful. Shaphira did the same, her tail and ears alert. The natives, curious, touched the demon's ears, causing her to pull away in discomfort. Elisa lost patience, grabbed her sword, and struck some of the warriors to push them back, shouting for them not to touch her sister.
Furious, the warriors channeled red energy into their weapons and advanced. Before the fight could begin, a barrier of earth appeared and a voice ordered the natives to stop. They obeyed.
A figure descended to the ground. It was a man with long black hair. A red cloth covered his eyes and another old cloth covered his body. He held a staff with his single arm. Half of his face was covered by a dark mark that seemed alive.
The two froze. He said he had recognized two familiar voices and needed to confirm it. He approached and smiled.
He said he had missed them very much.