In the Kingdom of Shugia…
Akube and the others successfully carried Reika and Meji back to the kingdom, alongside the other knights.
The gates of Shugia stood tall as they arrived guards rushing forward, tension easing the moment they saw them alive.
Reika: Thanks guys… I really owe you one, Aku.
Akube: Don't mention it bro… we need to look out for each other. Just take care of yourself, okay?
Reika: Thanks… but won't you guys stay for a while? I mean… you're not in a hurry or anything, are you?
Akube: Oh we can't stay… we have something to attend to. And if you're worried Jarreck is coming back don't. I believe he's probably dealt with… trust me. He's not escaping his death, I assure you that.
Reika (raises brow): I'm not worried about Jarreck… but you sound too confident. Fill me in—
Is there someone out there that can take him down easily… wait—
(eyes widen)
Is it… Dranexx?
Akube (calmly): I don't know… I'm just doing what I have to.
Scorpy (calm): Aku told you not to worry… so don't worry. Besides, we need to get back home immediately.
Cap Meji: It's fine, Reika. We shouldn't bother them anymore.
(turns to Akube)
Thanks for your help… though it pains me we can't repay you right now. Will you guys be coming back soon?
Akube: Sure… we will.
Shina (calling from afar):"Hey guys, what's up!"
(runs closer… then freezes)
"Oh my goodness—Reika! Captain Meji! What happened?!"
Reika (breathing softly): Hey… don't worry about me, Shina… I'm fine.
Cap Meji: Yeah, we're fine. Thanks to your friends here… we made it back in one piece.
Shina (grateful): Thank you so much, Akube… you and your friend—thank you, really.
Scorpy (smirks): No worries. Alright, we're leaving now. Aku—let's go.
Akube: Alright… see ya.
A portal opens.
Without hesitation, they step through—
Vanishing instantly.
They arrive before Soral and Lisa.
But the moment they step in—
They stop.
Nao… was crying.
Holding Enilia's lifeless body.
Silence filled the room.
Soral (sighs): You guys are back… so how did it go? Did you manage to take them back safely?
Akube: Yeah… we did. But would you mind telling us what happened here?
Scorpy (curious): Yeah… what happened, mommy Soral?
Soral (calmly): You see… I tried bringing her back to life.
(pauses)
But she resisted me.
Akube (shocked): Seriously?
Soral: Yes… she did.
(soft tone)
And that's not all. She asked me… if I could let her soul rest in peace but in a way that wouldn't leave Nao completely alone.
I said yes.
Scorpy (leans in): So… what did you do, ma'am?
Soral: I converted Enilia's soul… and her late sister's soul… into pure energy.
Then I merged them together—
…and placed it inside Nao.
Silence.
Akube (eyes widen): No way… you really did that?!
(activates ability)
"Appraisal"
(pauses… shocked)
Oh shitt… this is insane.
(turns to Soral)
You're the coolest, Lady Soral. Honestly.
Scorpy (chuckles): What do you expect from a Grandmaster?
They're supreme beings… anything is possible for them.
Soral (slight smile): Thank you very much.
(softly, remembering)
These were Enilia's last words—
"You see… I want to be with my younger sister. I've waited so long to meet her… and now I finally have. But it pains me to leave Nao behind. So please… is there any way you can help me be with both my sister… and Nao too?"
(Soral's response echoes)
"Leave it to me… you don't need to worry."
Akube (softly): …Thank you. On her behalf.
(steps closer to Nao)
Hey… Nao. Stop crying, okay? Everything will be alright. I promise you're safe here with us.
Nao (crying): She's stupid… I don't know why she would do something like that…
I mean… there are so many ways to stay with someone…
(tears fall harder)
Soral (gently): Don't cry anymore, okay? I made a promise to her… that I would take care of you.
And I will.
Nao (shaking): Even in the afterlife… she still cares about my safety… what a fool…
(looks up)
Thank you, ma'am… I really appreciate it. I'll do anything to repay you—anything you want.
Soral (smiles softly): Then here's what I want.
From now on—
You are a verified member of this family.
And you will be treated equally… just like everyone here.
Nao (eyes sparkle): Really…? Are you sure, ma'am?
Soral: Call me Soral.
Nao (soft smile through tears): Okay… Big Sis Soral.
(pauses)
I hope you don't mind me calling you that…
Soral (warm smile): I don't mind at all.
Akube (cheerfully): Welcome to the family, Nao. I'm Akube.
Scorpy: Welcome. I'm Scorpy.
Lisa (sadly): Umm… Nao, I'm really sorry… at first I—
Nao:Don't worry. I should be the one thanking you. If not for you, I wouldn't have been here. Please… don't hold anything against yourself, okay? Don't let it bother you.
Lisa (faint smile):Thank you… Oh, my name is Lisa. Welcome to the family, Nao.
Nao (cheerfully):Big sis Lisa, enh?
Lisa (shocked):You mean it? Calling me Big sis?
Nao: Oh sure, I mean it… let's be good friends till the end.
Lisa (calmly): Sure… thanks, Nao. And I promise to be the best big sis you ever wanted.
Soral: "Now that we're in favor… let's talk about something else. Nao, you're in on it, okay?"
Nao: "Oh sure, ma'am."
Akube (low voice): "I guess it's about Jarreck, huh…?"
Soral: Yes. And trust me… I can't feel his presence anymore. He's nowhere to be found… it's as if his existence vanished completely."
Scorpy (gently):So you're saying he's in another dimension or what?
Soral: No. Jarreck doesn't possess that level of power to move between dimensions freely…
Akube (serious):Which means… someone erased him from existence.
Soral (calm):Yes… that's exactly what happened.
Lisa:So who could that be? Did you manage to see who it is?
Soral:I don't know… but my guess is—you know who.
Scorpy (chuckles):Who else could it be if not Dranexx… but still… why can't we sense his presence? The moment he steps in, we should notice, right?
Soral:That… I don't have answers to. Dranexx is a mystery to me. There's no way someone like him should be that powerful… not to mention, he's human…
(pauses)
There's something behind it… and we still don't know what he's capable of.
Lisa:Yeah… no kidding. Even back in the other world… no one could beat him. Not even rival him.
Akube: Well, according to his mom… his father is the only one who could ever give him a challenge…
Soral (faint smile):I doubt that… but let's leave it for now. If he's really here… he'll come to us.
Akube:Sure thing, ma.
Nao: Thank you guys… once again. I really appreciate you all.
Lisa: It's okay, Nao. Let's go outside.
Nao:
"Oh sure, big sis L."
That day—
They laughed.
They ate.
They celebrated.
Everything that once felt heavy… was brushed aside.
Nao was welcomed fully into the family.
Later that night—
Reika, Captain Meji, and Shina joined the celebration.
Laughter filled the night.