As hot ash fell from the sky, I looked up at the fiery clouds. The volcano had finally erupted, molten lava racing down the mountainside like overflowing syrup. It was just me and my sword. I clutched it tight, and it glowed bright red in my palm.

The rock I stood on would be gone soon, and I along with it. My mind wandered, replaying where it all began, and how I could have changed things…

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My death would not be in vain, though. At least, I hoped it wouldn’t be. My mom had proved herself a lot more valuable to the cause than I was… Saving her was the single greatest thing I had ever done.

One day, when she tells this story, as King of King Kingdom, I hope she will speak of the day her son, Riu Ito, became a true hero and an even greater son.