The silence was loud.
The battlefield that moments ago shook with chaos and destruction now lay still, cracks glowing faintly with fading prismatic energy. Dust hung in the air, shimmering in the aftermath of what had just transpired.
Rikushi blinked, his gaze sweeping across the arena. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, there was no blade raised, no scream of war. Just peace--fragile, quiet peace.
Across the field, Toku raised a trembling hand, giving him a thumbs up despite the blood still staining his bandages. Others gasped softly, unable to hide their awe. Hoshina, smiling through her pain, pulled herself forward, dragging her legs as she tried to reach him and Blaidd.
Behind them, the third figure--the one who had delivered the final strike--stood tall. Blaidd turned, his expression soft despite the blood on his lips. "Thanks for the shield earlier, Mysha."
Rikushi turned to him, his mouth half-curved into a tired grin. "So... what happens n--" His words cut short, his body convulsing as blood poured violently from his mouth, his ears, his nose, even his eye sockets. Blaidd staggered as the same fate seized him, his body buckling under the weight of it.
Mysha's voice was calm, but the weight of it was heavy. "Your mortal bodies are now dealing with the consequences of harnessing immortal magic."
Both Rikushi and Blaidd collapsed to the ground, their breaths shallow and broken.
"No!" Toku cried, rushing forward with Rez, Valentine, and Glonk rushing as well, each of them bruised, bandaged, but desperate to save the two who had just saved them.
Before they could reach them, a shimmering portal opened behind Mysha, with a forceful pulling, like it was trying to swallow them.
"We have to go," Mysha said firmly, her eyes locked on them. "Or you won't survive another moment."
Rikushi clutched at his throat, choking on every breath. His vision blurred, but he saw her--Hoshina--dragging herself forward, her hand outstretched.
"RIKUSHI!" she screamed, her voice tearing apart at the seams.
Blaidd vomited blood, forcing the words out between spasms. "We... urgh- have to... go..." His voice cracked under the effort.
Mysha knelt beside Rikushi, steadying his body as the portal's pull grew stronger.
"DON'T GO, RIKUSHI!" Hoshina's hand reached desperately for him, her tears streaming down her cheeks.
Rikushi's eyes were already dimming, lifeless yet holding enough to form one last message. His lips moved slowly, silently, shaping words that Hoshina was able to understand.
Her sobs broke into wild, uncontrollable cries, her trembling hand still reaching for him as the others caught up, powerless to stop what was happening.
"WHERE ARE YOU GOING WITH THEM?!" Toku yells
"Nowhere... but Everywhere... at the same time"
And then--the portal closed.
The three figures--Rikushi, Blaidd, and Mysha--were gone.
The silence shattered.
Rez dropped to his knees, his head hanging low. "You were my rival... why would you leave when I'm still alive..." His voice cracked, raw and pained.
Valentine threw his fists into the ground, his cry ripping across the arena. "WHY DID YOU LEAVE US!"
Glonk, who had always carried himself like stone, finally broke. His voice roared with agony, a sound no one had ever heard from him before. "Blaidd... damn it, you were my brother!!"
Toku stood frozen, the strength in his legs gone, his eyes lost and empty.
Behind him, Jin walked quietly, his expression was tame yet feeling like it was holding back a flood. He placed a hand on Toku's shoulder, his own tear slipping down his cheek. "You did good, Toku... you did good."
But the field felt emptier than ever.
The heroes stood together, broken and scarred, yet for all their strength, none could stop the cost of what Rikushi and Blaidd had chosen.