Yoshito’s fists blurred as he raged against Jinn, each strike heavy enough to ripple the very fabric of existence. The air around them distorted with the clash of immense energies, the battlefield trembling under the weight of their combat. Yet, for all his fury and strength, Yoshito could barely scratch Jinn. The draconic god smirked, his movements effortless, weaving through the prince’s assaults as if they were child's play.

“You’re strong, prince,” Jinn mocked, dodging a furious punch before retaliating with a crushing blow to Yoshito’s chest. “But strength without focus is nothing but a tantrum.”

Yoshito roared, his true form flaring brighter as he hurled a devastating attack toward Jinn. The energy collided, shaking the heavens and sending shockwaves across the battlefield. When the smoke cleared, Jinn stood unscathed, brushing dust off his armor.

“Impressive,” Jinn said, his voice dripping with disdain. “But futile.”

Before Yoshito could react, Jinn capitalized on his lack of focus, appearing behind him in a blur of motion. With a single, calculated strike, Jinn sent Yoshito crashing into the ground, his true form flickering as he struggled to rise.

“Is this all the heir of your bloodline can muster?” Jinn taunted, raising his hand to unleash another attack.

Yoshi, Lyra, Joseph, and Xiao Xiao sprang into action, coordinating their efforts in a desperate attempt to stop Jinn. Blasts of energy, magic, and physical strikes converged on the draconic god. Yet, every attack was met with an impenetrable defense. Jinn moved with terrifying precision, countering each assault as though he were toying with them.

Lyra lunged forward, her All-Seeing Eye glowing as she channeled divine magic to strike. Jinn’s attention turned to her, his lips curling into a wicked grin.

“That power… it belongs to me,” he growled, reaching out to tear the All-Seeing Eye from her. Lyra screamed as his claws grazed her, the divine artifact within her chest faltering.

“Not today!” Joseph shouted, intercepting Jinn with a powerful energy blast that knocked his hand away just in time. Lyra stumbled back, clutching her chest as Joseph glared at Jinn, his breath labored.

With a single wave of his hand, Jinn unleashed a surge of dark magic, tossing them aside like ragdolls. As the group struggled to recover, Lyra rose first, her trident glowing with divine power.

“Enough!” she roared, hurling the weapon at Jinn with deadly precision.

The trident streaked through the air like a comet, aimed straight for Jinn’s heart. But he caught it effortlessly with one hand, his grip crackling with energy as he absorbed its power.

“Thank you for the gift,” Jinn sneered, wielding the trident as his own. Lyra tried to summon it back, but the weapon did not respond. For the first time, fear flickered in her eyes as Jinn turned the trident against them, demonstrating its newfound might.

“We can’t lose here,” Lyra whispered, forcing herself to stand tall. “We won’t lose here.”

As the battle raged on, Yoshi telepathically reached out to Yoshito.

“It’s time,” Yoshi said. “We have no other choice.”

Yoshito hesitated, bloodied and exhausted. “You mean that?”

“Do you see another way?” Yoshi countered.

Yoshito nodded grimly. “Let’s do it.”

In unison, the twins activated their final trump card. Their true forms shimmered, merging into a singular, malevolent yet divine entity. Their power surged, distorting reality itself. The fused princes, now one, exuded an aura so intense that even Jinn’s smirk faltered for a moment.

“Interesting,” Jinn muttered, readying himself. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

The clash that followed was cataclysmic. Each blow from the fused princes threatened to unravel the very fabric of creation. Jinn retaliated with equal ferocity, their battle reshaping the battlefield into a chaotic storm of energy and destruction.

Meanwhile, Lyra used her magic to transport everyone, including Xiao Xiao, into her pocket dimension—both the living and the dead—after sensing similar devastation spreading to other regions. Her swift actions spared them from annihilation. Only Joseph chose to stay behind, resolute in his decision to confront the chaos alongside those left behind.

In other regions, chaos reigned as monsters and supernaturals, alongside those who had pledged their allegiance to Ryujin, scoured the desolate landscapes in confusion. Their prey—both the living and the dead—had vanished without a trace, leaving behind only empty streets and silent battlegrounds. Whispers of unease spread among the ranks of the marauders as they wondered where their victims had gone and whether this was some trick or an omen of something far greater.

Amid the chaos, the fused princes managed to knock the trident from Jinn’s grasp. Lyra caught it mid-air, her determination blazing as she prepared for a final strike.

“Joseph!” she called out.

Joseph nodded, pouring the last of his XPT energy into Lyra, fusing it with her aura and magic. The trident pulsed with overwhelming power, both malevolent and benevolent energies swirling within it.

“Jinn!” Lyra shouted, hurling the trident with all her might.

The weapon tore through Jinn’s form, siphoning his aura and shattering the fused artifacts of his absorbed relics and treasures. Desperation clawed at him as he struggled against the prince’s relentless grip, both before and after the weapon’s devastating impact. The princes, now defused from their fusion after the grueling battle to keep Jinn at bay, stood on the brink of collapse, their auras drained to the limit.

The resulting shockwave erupted with blinding intensity, reverberating across the Fujimori Wisteria Forest Kingdom and its surrounding regions. The force obliterated the remaining enemies in a dazzling burst of light, leaving only a few who managed to retreat before being consumed by the destruction.

Jinn’s massive form began to wither, his body collapsing to the ground as his power drained away.

Jinn’s crumbling form disintegrated into ash and energy, his essence fading into the void as the sky above darkened. A deafening rumble echoed through the heavens, and the clouds split apart to reveal the swirling, amorphous avatar of the dark god Jinn had once bargained with. The deity's cloudy form was both terrifying and awe-inspiring, crackling with raw, malevolent energy.

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“You failed me, Jinn,” the dark god’s booming voice declared, reverberating across the battlefield. “Your essence is mine.”

Tendrils of dark energy descended, entwining around Jinn’s remnants, pulling his essence into the god’s cloudy avatar. As the deity absorbed Jinn’s soul, the atmosphere shifted. The oppressive darkness vanished, replaced by clear skies and the warmth of sunlight breaking through.

For a moment, there was peace.

Lyra, clutching her trident, sank to her knees, her divine form fading as her human appearance returned. With the last vestiges of her strength, she waved her hand, transporting everyone back to their respective regions.

As the survivors reappeared in the familiar landscapes of their lands, emotions surged. Some wept with relief as they found their loved ones safe. Others crumbled in despair, realizing that those they had fought to protect were gone.

Joseph frantically scanned the crowd for his wife Yukio and their daughter Josephine. His heart stopped when he saw Xiao Xiao kneeling beside Yukio’s lifeless body, her hands glowing faintly as she tried to resurrect her.

“Come on... come on…” Xiao Xiao whispered desperately, her voice trembling.

When Joseph reached them, he dropped to his knees, his breath caught in his throat. He touched Yukio’s cold hand, his own trembling.

“Why isn’t she healing?” Joseph choked out, his voice breaking. “Xiao Xiao, do something! Use the XPT energy!”

Xiao Xiao’s hand rested gently on his shoulder. Her eyes were full of sorrow. “She’s gone, Joseph. There’s nothing I can do. The XPT energy isn’t enough…”

Joseph’s world shattered. Tears streamed down his face as he clung to Yukio’s lifeless form. Josephine knelt beside him, wrapping her arms around her father as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“I’m so sorry, Papa,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Nearby, Yoshi noticed Yoshito’s unsteady stance. His brother’s movements were sluggish, and his face was pale.

“Yoshito,” Yoshi called out, rushing to his side. “You’re hurt.”

“It’s nothing,” Yoshito muttered, trying to brush off his injuries.

But the pain was too much. Yoshito faltered, his legs giving out beneath him. Before he hit the ground, Yoshi caught him, cradling him gently.

“Don’t do this, brother!” Yoshi cried, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re going to be fine! I can’t lose you too… not after everything we’ve been through.”

Yoshito’s gaze softened as he looked at his brother, a weak smile playing on his lips. “Sorry I wasn’t strong enough… to protect you.”

His hand touched Yoshi’s cheek briefly before falling limp. His eyes fluttered shut as his breathing slowed.

Joseph’s grief turned to desperation as he felt a presence lingering in the air—an ancient, otherworldly force that only he could perceive. His tear-filled eyes scanned the horizon until they landed on the figure of Death itself, cloaked and silent, observing the scene.

Joseph stood, cradling Yukio’s body, and walked toward the presence, ignoring the concerned looks from those around him.

“Please…” Joseph whispered, his voice trembling. “You know me. We’ve had dealings before. I’ve honored our bond. Don’t take her from me… not like this.”

Death remained silent, its form towering and still, but Joseph continued, his voice rising with desperation. “I’ll do anything! Whatever you ask, I’ll pay the price. Just bring her back!”

The silent entity moved closer, its shadow enveloping Joseph and Yukio. It paused, then extended a bony hand toward Yukio. A faint pulse of energy radiated from Death, and Yukio’s body began to glow.

She gasped for air, her charred form mending rapidly. Color returned to her skin, and her eyes fluttered open as she came back to life.

“Yukio!” Joseph cried, pulling her into a tight embrace as tears of joy streamed down his face.

“Joseph…” Yukio whispered, her voice shaky as memories of her death lingered. She clung to him tightly, burying her face in his chest.

Onlookers watched in stunned silence, the miraculous sight filling them with awe and disbelief.

The once-devastated battlefield now buzzed with life, but the scars of the fight remained etched on every face. Lyra stood shakily, supporting herself with her trident as she watched the scene. Yoshi cradled Yoshito, refusing to leave his side as he whispered words of comfort.

For a moment, there was peace. But the cost of victory weighed heavily on them all.

Months had passed since the fateful battle that left scars on both the kingdom and its people. Fujimori Wisteria Forest Kingdom and its neighboring regions were still undergoing repairs. The wounds of the past lingered, but there was a collective effort to rebuild, to heal, and to honor those who had fallen.

Yoshito, though physically recovering, bore emotional scars that ran deeper than any wound. The burden of his perceived failures weighed heavily on him. Meanwhile, preparations began for a grand memorial to honor the dead, a solemn reminder of the cost of their hard-fought victory.

As the kingdom busied itself with these preparations, a knight hunter approached Yoshi, bearing an urgent message. The knight handed over a sealed letter from the Supreme Council of the Four Lands.

Breaking the seal, Yoshi read the contents. The letter expressed heartfelt sympathy for the loss of the monarch and provided updates on Joseph’s quest through the remaining three lands. It spoke of challenges ahead and urged vigilance and unity.

Yoshi thanked the knight hunter, dismissing him with gratitude, before seeking out Lyra to discuss the letter's implications. The news was sobering but also filled them with determination to push forward.

Weeks later, the day of the memorial arrived. Citizens of the kingdom gathered in somber unity, filling the ceremonial grounds to pay their respects. The air was heavy with grief but also filled with hope for a brighter future.

Among the mourners, unexpected guests appeared: the astral forms of royal relatives from the Kazuhiro lineage. These included Aiko Kento, Naoya Hiroto, Alara, Seraphina, and Aris. Although their physical forms were engaged elsewhere, their astral presence demonstrated their solidarity and respect for the fallen monarch.

Conspicuously absent, however, was Chika Suzuki, whose reasons for not attending remained unclear.

After the memorial, the Kazuhiro relatives shared a private moment with Yoshito, Yoshi, and Lyra before departing, their presence leaving a lingering sense of both loss and reassurance.

In the days that followed, Yoshito approached Yoshi with a heavy heart. He confessed his deep sense of failure, his inability to protect the kingdom and their family during the crisis.

“I need to redeem myself,” Yoshito said firmly. “I need to find my true purpose.”

Yoshi’s heart sank. “But you are to be the next king, Yoshito. This is your destiny. You can’t just walk away.”

Yoshito shook his head, his gaze resolute. “I’m not ready to lead, Yoshi. I’m not the king our people need. But you—you are. The kingdom will thrive under your leadership.”

Despite Yoshi’s pleas, Yoshito remained steadfast. The brothers embraced one last time, their bond unbroken despite the separation that loomed. With his belongings gathered, Yoshito took one final look at the kingdom he had fought so hard to protect.

Tears streamed down Yoshi’s face as he watched Yoshito teleport away. Lyra placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Stay strong,” she whispered. “Your people need you now more than ever.”

A week later, the coronation of Yoshi as the new King of Fujimori Wisteria Forest Kingdom took place. It was a momentous occasion, marked by both celebration and reflection. The citizens rallied around their new leader, their faith in him unshaken.

As the crown was placed upon his head, Yoshi vowed to lead with wisdom, courage, and compassion. The kingdom, though still recovering, found itself rejuvenated under his reign.

Under Yoshi’s leadership, the kingdom and its regions began to thrive. With the relics and treasures having been destroyed in the past and lost to history, skilled warriors were dispatched to various regions to bolster defenses and foster unity, ensuring the stability and protection of the kingdom.

Though the scars of the past remained, the kingdom looked to the future with hope. Yoshi, now king, stood as a beacon of strength for his people, while Yoshito embarked on his journey of self-discovery, his destiny yet to unfold.

Thus began a new chapter for the Fujimori Wisteria Forest Kingdom—a time of rebuilding, renewal, and enduring resilience.

Three years had passed since the tragic events that reshaped the Fujimori Wisteria Forest Kingdom. Under King Yoshi's rule, the kingdom flourished, but the past still cast its long shadow. The betrayals that had splintered regional alliances were a painful reminder of the fragility of trust.

After a tense meeting with the high council to discuss ways to prevent history from repeating itself, Yoshi sought the solace of his friend Joseph to relay the council’s plans. Their discussion was interrupted by the sound of a royal trumpet, signaling the arrival of an unexpected guest.