Outside the palace, the Elder stopped the group for a moment.
— Everything is ready. Head to the nearest guard station; they'll provide transport to your destination. But tell me, Luis… will this girl at your side be coming as well? — he asked, casting a curious glance at Ruby.
— Of course. If she made it this far, it's because she wants a chance to become someone — Luis replied with a confident smile.
— I… I will become someone strong and important, just like you! — Ruby said, her eyes shining with determination.
Luis chuckled lightly.
— You can trust me. But don't call me "sir." Just Luis, little Ruby.
— Y-yes, s-sir… I mean, Luis! — she corrected, blushing.
— Come on, everyone. We have a lot to do. — Luis descended the steps with firm strides, followed by Kevin and Ruby. The Elder simply watched them leave, thoughtful.
---
The streets were chaotic. People ran desperately toward the mountains, fleeing the approaching danger.
— The guard station is just ahead! — Luis shouted, quickening his pace.
When they arrived, the station's gate was reinforced with armed guards. One of them spotted Luis and shouted with reverence:
— First Sentinel of Light! This way! Transport is ready!
Without delay, the guard led them to the back. A simple carriage, pulled by two sturdy brown horses, awaited them. The group climbed aboard, soon moving along the road.
Through the small rear window, Ruby saw the colossal silhouettes of two beasts in the distance, moving like mountains amid the mist of destruction.
---
— It's incredible that your sister is still alive, Kevin… — Luis commented, seated in one corner of the carriage.
Kevin averted his gaze, confused.
— Sister? What are you talking about? I thought you were my older brother… and that Ruby was my sister.
— You must be joking — Luis said, eyes wide. But before he could continue, he noticed a black mark spreading over part of Kevin's arm.
He frowned.
— Kevin… how long has this darkness been creeping across your body?
Kevin touched his arm, startled.
— I… I don't know. I only remember what I did three hours ago. But… I see cracks in everything, as if something is calling me to cross through them.
Without hesitation, Luis stood and, in a swift motion, landed a precise punch to Kevin's head. The impact knocked him out instantly. Kevin slumped unconscious in the corner of the carriage.
— What did you do?! — Ruby screamed in fury, drawing her scythe from her back.
She lunged at Luis, but the blade was stopped… by nothing. An invisible barrier paralyzed her. Her heart raced, and before she could comprehend, Luis had disappeared from in front of her, appearing right behind her.
The air shifted. It grew heavy. Ruby began to tremble, unable to move as panic consumed her thoughts:
What's happening? Why can't I move? What is this feeling?
Her scythe was ripped from her hands and thrown to the carriage floor. Luis approached calmly, his voice full of authority:
— He's not dead. Just unconscious. Now, sit… and do nothing.
Ruby obeyed, trembling, eyes wide.
— You must be wondering what this feeling is — Luis continued. — It's fear. The inevitable result of standing before someone far stronger. I don't want to kill you, little sister… unless you force me. Obey me, and I will protect you. Simple.
— O-okay… at your command… — Ruby replied, her voice quivering.
A satisfied smile formed on Luis's face. He ran his hand through her hair in an almost affectionate gesture, contrasting with the suffocating tension that left Ruby frozen in a mix of shame and distrust.
Meanwhile, Kevin remained unconscious in the corner.
At the front of the carriage, the guard guiding the horses didn't dare utter a word. The presence of the First Sentinel is overwhelming… even for me, he thought, swallowing hard.
— Finally, you're here. After all this time, you've returned… Wake up, boy.
Kevin opened his eyes at the voice. He stood in a forest surrounded by mountains, but everything was shrouded in shadow, lit only by the moon. Before him, someone waited. The figure was identical to him.
— Who are you? And why do you look like me? — Kevin asked, standing cautiously.
The copy smiled.
— Hahaha… I am you. Or rather, the part of you that you forgot.
— Forgot? What do you mean? — Kevin retorted.
— I am your memories, what you left behind. Luis only sent you here because he has also been to this place.
Kevin narrowed his eyes, old memories surfacing.
— So… this is the reflection of the universes. Master Cyrus told me long ago that one day I would come here… and face the version of myself I could have become. Every warrior trained in the same path has gone through this.
The copy's smile turned challenging.
— Then let's fight!
---
Elsewhere…
Ryane rolled aside, avoiding a colossal stone hurled by one of the beasts. Her movements were no longer firm — hunger and exhaustion from days of fighting weighed on her body.
— I've already taken down one… two left. I think I can manage one more attack at this intensity, but… — she panted, bracing herself against the ground.
A faint blue light enveloped her body. She raised her hand, determined, but a firm voice interrupted:
— Stop now. Leave the rest to me. You've already done enough.
Ryane turned and saw a man in black with red details. His hood covered half his face, and in his right hand he wielded a sword. He walked past her confidently.
— Long time no see, Augusto… or should I say, Second Sentinel of Light… — Ryane said weakly, trying to sound playful despite her exhaustion.
The man paused briefly, turned his face, and gave a brief smile. Then he moved on. Ryane collapsed to the ground, finally overcome by fatigue.
— It's over… — declared the Second Sentinel of Light, advancing on the beasts.
---
Back in the moonlit forest…
— Almost done, friend? — mocked Kevin's copy, surrounding him with wolves, falcons, and green serpents forged from pure healing essence.
Kevin raised his sword, sweating.
— Dude… how do you make all this? I can only forge my sword, maybe an owl. I don't even know how to properly attack.
The words came more as a vent than provocation.
The copy paused, staring at him seriously.
— It's sad to fight someone who doesn't even remember their own techniques. How about we do something different? Instead of fighting… how about we become one again?
He extended his hand. Kevin hesitated, then took it.
Instantly, the copy dissolved into dust, green lines sparkling around Kevin's body, enveloping him completely before vanishing.
Darkness swallowed him — and when he opened his eyes, he was back in the carriage. Ruby and Luis were already preparing to disembark.
— Leaving without me? Really? — Kevin said indignantly, standing.
Luis smirked.
— Perfect, you're back. We've reached the Ninja Kingdom… or at least, what's left of it.
Ruby got out behind him, anxious.
Kevin was last. The sight shocked him: the kingdom lay in ruins. A thick mist covered the streets. Corpses littered the ground. Houses were reduced to rubble.
He clenched his fists, voice firm, yet heavy.
— We're finishing this with Ray. I need to show him I'm still alive. Only then can I continue living with dignity.
Kevin took the lead, walking through the destroyed streets. Ruby, serious but her fear evident, said:
— I feel something terrible will happen in this fight.
Luis, behind her, smiled confidently.
— Whatever Ray is plotting, it will be an honor to defeat him.
The three advanced side by side, moving through the scene of death.
— There's… nobody alive? — Ruby murmured, shocked.
Silence answered. Luis stayed alert amid the chaos. Kevin, lost in thought, finally let out loud:
— Now that I have my memories back… I remember everything from my training. How do I forget?
Ruby turned to him, surprised.
— Was it really that horrible an experience?
Kevin averted his gaze, expression hard.
— I spoke too loudly… forget it.
The weight of the ruined world settled over them all.