" Wake up, Wander."

            Wander opened his eyes. He heard the rhythmic waves. He smelled the salty sea. He felt the soft sand. He was on a beach.

            " Welcome back." Maria smiled. She was sitting next to him.

            "Where are we?"

            " Aloha, Hawaii Island."

            Wander chuckled. " I never thought you would be serious."

            He tried to raise himself up, but realized his body was paralyzed.

            " The bullets hit your vital points. I'm sorry but you would not be able to move the upper half of your body for the rest of your life."

            Wander's eyes widened. His  face paled.

            " And that won't happen because you have ridiculously strong body regeneration. My spell is restricting your movement, that's all.

            " I do not appreciate the joke."

            " I know. Just want to teach you a lesson. Your recklessness could have made you like that, you know?" Maria glanced at Wander. 

            Wander recalled his latest memory. " Where are Aria and Hiatus?"

            " It's been several hours since your death. They are back in New York, I guess. They have no more business at this archipelago."

            "They are still okay, I see."

            Maria stood up. She walked towards the sea. She lifted Wander's body up, carrying it with her.

            Wander glanced at her. She seemed so different now. The Scepter she was carrying gave so foreign an aura to her.

            "So what you were looking for was your staff."

            "You could say so."

            Maria gazed at Wander. " What would you think if I were Samundo?"

            "I think history must be wrong then."

            Maria tilted her head. " What?"

            "Samundo is described as evil, cruel, ruthless, sinister, bloodthirsty, well, all kinds of words. You are not like that, so I guess the plot twist here is the demon lord has always been a good guy. Oh, and it lied about your gender too. I think."

            Maria raised her eyebrows. She laughed. "You surprised me."

            " Yeah. Someone who did not kill a single hunter could not be Samundo, even if she claimed so."

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            Wander glanced at Maria. He smiled as he saw the frozen grin on her face. The girl's face slowly regained its expressionless state. She touched Wander's forehead.

            " You're leaving me behind, aren't you?"

            "What did you expect?"

            Wander's eyes drooped. " A lot of things. I expected to live a normal life with Aria and Hiatus. When that failed, I expected to embark on an adventure with my mentor, defeat Samundo then return as a hero. When that failed, I expected to be with my friends once more. Well, that failed. None of those will become my story. And it seems my final expectation is failing too."

            " And what is that final expectation?" Maria frowned.

            " Defeat Samundo with your help."

            " Phew.  I was scared you would say something else."

            " Like to be by your side forever?" Wander said, grinning.

            Maria cringed. " Don't. Sorry to say this but I won't help you defeat an enemy you barely know. And I've got my own problems to solve, problems that do not involve this war."

            Wander nodded. " I understand."

            Maria sighed." You are guilt-tripping me without even trying.  I won't leave you here, Wander. I will send you to a place of your choice, where you can live in peace for the rest of your life. Since everyone saw your body explode with their own eyes, you are pretty much off the list now."

            "With your help, I suppose?"

            Maria ignored the question." Now, where do you want to go?"

            " Before that, would you mind spend some minutes with me to enjoy the dawn? I've been stalling you just for that you know."

            Maria frowned. She looked back. The sun was rising behind her.

            " Are you a romantic or not, boy?" She asked, smiling.

            " For you only, my dear. Now cringe for me" Wander laughed.

            Maria shivered. " You devil."

            Wander gazed at the fine threads of light slowly being woven across the sky, at the clouds purged of shadows, at the sparkling waves falling on the coast and breaking like crystals. He glanced at the girl standing next to him, his heart lifted as he saw her pensiveness was no more. Wander believed he could hear echoes of centuries in her soft breath, and suddenly he felt so profound. He closed his eyes, enjoying what Maria was bestowing on him: a transient tranquility for his transient soul.