He was surrounded by enemies, unsure where to aim his weapon. Pain shot through his wounded foot—he could barely stand, let alone walk.
"You are all dead," he growled.
"We are not dead yet, not while justice remains unserved," Charles replied firmly.
"You fool."
Bernard raised his gun toward Charles, but Charles kicked it from his hand. The weapon clattered away into the shadows.
Defenseless for the first time, Bernard felt something he had never known before—fear.
"Just give up," Jake's voice came from behind him.
"We don't want to dirty our hands killing you," Jake continued. "The law will judge you."
Bernard laughed bitterly. "Law? Do you still believe the law will save you here? I am the law. I am the one people follow. You're nothing but dust in this world."
"Just a speck of dust that gets in your eyes," said the man who had posed as his gardener.
"I think the one coming to collect you has arrived."
A noise echoed outside the warehouse—heavy footsteps approaching fast. Bernard's eyes widened.
No. No. He limped toward his fallen gun. The others didn't stop him.
I will fight back. They will not bring me down.
He grasped his weapon just as the police burst in. He fired, hitting one officer, then staggered toward a wide tree for cover. But a bullet tore through his forehead. Gunfire rained down on him, his body collapsing under the barrage.
"So, we're even now, Bernard Fuego," one police officer said coldly. "You killed my sister Bianca. It just took me a while to return the favor."
Bernard's lips twitched. "Christopher…" he rasped.
"Not just for my sister," Christopher said, "but for all the innocent lives you destroyed."
He lifted a brown envelope and a worn notebook. "I have all the evidence now—your crimes, your partners. Bianca hid these from you, didn't she? Photos, names, and even a USB with your entire operation."
Bernard coughed, struggling for breath. "Taken… by two people I trusted…"
His vision dimmed. Still, his hand twitched toward the gun, intent on firing again.
Christopher shook his head. "Do you know the saying—no matter how clever the monkey, it still gets caught? Those who wanted revenge on you outsmarted you completely."
Bernard's heartbeat slowed. Blood seeped from his body.
A voice whispered near his ear: Not everything you want can be achieved.
Another followed: Everyone faces karma, just as you did.
Am I hallucinating? Why am I hearing this? Bernard wondered.
Suddenly, his muscles moved freely. His wounds were gone. I'm not dead yet! he thought, relief flashing through him.
But when he looked around, darkness surrounded him—an endless, silent field. He wandered aimlessly. No more voices. No sound. Only cold emptiness.
Then a familiar voice echoed: Still thinking only of yourself?
He turned and saw a woman covered in blood. Her face… at first unrecognizable.
"E—Ellese?" He stammered.
She smiled coldly. Good. You still recognize the form you created for me.
A chill swept over him. "F-Forgive me, child. Forgive me."
Even if I forgive you, it won't change the fact you will wander in this darkness forever, Ellese said. But don't worry—you'll have company.
Bernard thought of Giovane and Alexander. They must be here too.
"Help me see the light. I don't want to be here, child."
Child? Now you call me that? When I needed help, you turned away. Even if I wanted to help you, the souls you've wronged would never allow it. You would only disturb their peace.
"Why remind me of the past, Ellese? We can be together here. We'll endure this second world together."
I've freed myself from the past. My journey in the darkness is over. It's your turn to wander without end.
Light bloomed around her, pulling her away.
"Wait! Wait, child! I'm still your father!"
She smiled gently. Thank you for being my father. Now, we finally have freedom.
The light faded until only darkness remained.
"No!" Bernard roared, fists clenched.
"Boss."
"Alexander?" Bernard turned.
Looking for Giovane? Alexander asked. He returned to the human world to atone for his sins. He's with a good family now.
"Bianca!" Bernard shouted when he recognized another voice—his second wife. Her soul appeared briefly, then vanished.
Silence fell. Only Bernard and Alexander remained.
Bernard's eyes burned with defiance. He would not give up. Someone would carry on his work. He would have his revenge.
Still no regret? Then you'll be like the others—souls without memory, a voice said.
And so Bernard and Alexander walked on, swallowed by the endless darkness, with no idea where it would lead.