Liam was taken aback as time came to a halt. Loud bells began to reverberate in the sky as a streak of light illuminated Alisa, forcing the Broken Hero to set her free. Her hair began to glow, the wings she donned earlier once again bloomed from her back, but this time, it’s not the flaming red. Gold painted her every move, the grass grew from where she stood as she waved a bow in front of the shaken Liam.

“Gulat yan?”, she laughed, kindly smiling at the young man with kindness.

Liam’s tears began to flood, “I—It can’t be. Sh—Shaine, that can’t be you right, patay ka na”

“Shush, be quite for a minute”, she placed her pointer finger on his lips before pulling him by the hand and they both flew back to the top of the waterfall.

“Chant: The countless hues and shades, paints the leaves of the canopy, it sways with the gentle breeze of triumph and agony. Tears that flow through and within, colludes on your leaves and stem. Beacon of the lost and broken, open your path and gleam for those who are forsaken”

The waterfall began to change its shape. It’s running water was trapped by the sudden immergence of soil from the rocky bed, turning into a one large pool. In the middle, a small patch of land began to mold, together with a small sprout. But it did not take long for the young tree to grow.

It’s small green stem gradually doubled in size, continuously extending to the night sky. Branches began to grow towards every direction and it’s every end was populated by different colors leaves varying in different hues.

Liam could not believe his eyes; he would not mistake it. It’s the Tree of Life he saw with Shaine, Mike, and Ben the day they were summoned.

“Nostalgic isn’t it, this was the first scene when we came to this world. Now that I’m looking at it, it really does calms the soul”, Shaine landed them both near the roots.

Liam instinctively caged her in an embrace, holding her tightly as if she’d be taken by the wind if he let go.

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“Chill, it will be disrespectful for the owner of this body”, the girl tried to push him off, but as she felt the boy sobbing, she could not help herself but cry and return the embrace, “Sorry, if we left you that time”

“No, it was not your fault. They took advantage of us; they should be the one apologizing”

“Can’t you forgive really forgive them?”

“Forgive them? They took you three from me, how could I forgive them”

“Didn’t I already told you before, having grudges and taken revenge will only cause you suffering”, she finally managed to break free and held him by the cheeks. Wiping his tears with her thumb.

“But—”

“Don’t you think it’s time to finally let it go? How many millenniums has it been? Millions? Billions? Quadrillion or something like that? The people of this world does not carry the same sin as King Remar and his retainers had. Even his civilization was completely wipe out already. But I know, it’s not them who you can’t forgive”

Liam’s tears fell even harder, his chest aching so much as if his heart would burst from all the emotions he’s feeling.

“How long will you live like this? How long will you keep blaming yourself for what happened? You’re already tired, I know. Don’t you think it’s time to finally to set yourself free”

“Can I really forgive myself? It’s because of my uselessness that all of you died, if only I just handed over these demons powers then— then—”

Shaine hugged her once again, “See, you really are a hero through and through. Maybe you’ve just lived long enough, literally, to become the villain”, they both laughed, “If you simply handed it to them then these people, Alisa, Hunter, Anton, Alvor, and all these kind souls would have no place to go”

“Even if that happens, Anwar will not be kind to me, after all the things I’ve done”

“Tanga, even Anwar himself knew that you’d someday come to terms with it. Plus, he himself was liable, if he somehow change his mind and punish you, Mike, Ben, and I would be there for your rescue. So, are you ready?”

“Where?”

“Oh, I haven’t told you yet. The reason I was able to be here was thanks to Anwar. He saved our souls and tried to restore them back with the remaining power that he had. It took him a very long time, but now…”, her wings opened, “We can finally go back”

“Does that mean, Mike and Ben—”

“Yup, time is not a physical thing, nor the soul. When we get back, we’ll be standing there again at the court but this time, it’s after you annihilated everyone. Serves them right don’t you think?”, she laughed, holding her hand out for Liam’s, “It’ll be like waking up from a long nightmare. And by the way, Liam, can you promise me something?”

“As long as it’s doable”

“Don’t ever do something reckless like that ever again”

Liam finally took her hand, “I promise”