Shizu takes a deep breath and helps Anin, who could barely stand on her own. Both look around, observing the sea of destruction left behind after the intense battle that lasted two whole days.
Then, a scream of despair cuts through the air. They turn immediately.
Carlius was kneeling, holding Anistina tightly in his arms, crying desperately.
— No… no… no… please… open your eyes, Anistina! — he said, clutching the lifeless body.
Shizu and Anin lower their heads, the weight of sorrow falling over them as they realize their companion was no longer with them.
Laura wakes up, still dizzy, and slowly starts getting up. When she sees Carlius's convulsive crying, she limps over to Shizu and Anin.
— Should we go to him?… — she asks, hesitant.
Anin only stares at Carlius for a few seconds, her gaze heavy… then replies in a low, sad voice:
— No… let's give him this time…
Shizu grits his teeth, consumed by guilt and rage at feeling useless.
— If only… if only I hadn't been unconscious… I could've stopped this… — he murmurs.
Anin looks at him, her face marked by grief.
— No… you did everything you could. Actually, it was thanks to you that we managed to end all of this. You were incredible, Shizu.
He blushes faintly, letting out a weak laugh. Laura, however, takes on a serious expression and steps forward. She kneels before Shizu, showing absolute respect.
— Lord Shizu… I must thank you and have the honor of kneeling in the presence of this country's hero. Please accept my sincerest gratitude.
Shizu widens his eyes and starts stuttering, completely lost.
— W-what? A hero?? M-me? I didn't do anything special!…
Laura abruptly lifts her head, her gaze firm.
— Absolutely not! It was because of your leadership in this revolution that all of this happened. So yes, you are this country's hero. And I won't accept you ignoring the credit you deserve.
Shizu averts his eyes, blushing.
— R-right… okay…
But his expression fades the moment he sees Carlius still holding Anistina. The brief joy vanishes instantly.
He places Anin into Laura's arms.
— Could you hold her for a moment?… thank you.
Carlius stared at Anistina with silent despair, his face utterly broken. Shizu approaches from behind and speaks firmly yet gently.
— She fought until the end… didn't she?…
No answer.
Shizu forces a faint smile and continues:
— Then… she fulfilled her goal, right?
Carlius closes his eyes — and memories burst inside his mind.Laughter, small arguments, promises, the sparkle in her eyes whenever she talked about "taking down the tyrant."
Then, one last memory ignites.
A white place… a serene blue sky…Anistina standing with her back turned, looking upward, saying:
— "I wonder… if someday… if I defeat that tyrant… will I also be able to become a beloved rose?… Carlius."
Carlius smiles through tears. He looks at Shizu, then at Anistina's peaceful face.
— Yes, Shizu… she did it…
Time passes.Outside the city, citizens watch the rising sun. Everything had calmed down. The explosions were gone — and then, in the distance, a child points and shouts:
— There! Someone's coming!
It was them.Anin, supported by Shizu so she could walk.Laura and Carlius carrying Anistina in their arms.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
— They… did it?…
The murmurs soon turn into shouts of joy.Some cry, others raise their arms, others simply collapse to the ground in relief.
— Finally!! We're free!! — guards shout, throwing their weapons into the air.
— We're safe… — sobs an elderly woman.
Shizu and the others give a shy smile; they were far too exhausted to celebrate.
Then Shizu raises his hand and shouts:
— Yes! We won!
A roar of happiness sweeps across the plain.
Anin watches Shizu. He looks back at her, and she smiles — a soft, pure smile.
— Yes, we did it… our hero…
Shizu's eyes shine at her words.He blushes and nods with a light laugh.
— Yeah…
Night falls.The citizens light a great bonfire. Guards, revolutionaries and survivors gather to prepare a celebration.
The embers light up the darkness.Meals made with animals and vegetables from the forest are shared among everyone.Laughter, hugs, dancing — a night no one would ever forget.
Sitting on a large log near the fire, Carlius remains silent, staring into the flames. His face carried sorrow.
Someone sits beside him.
— Man… this reminds me of that time… when Anistina accused you of cheating in that card game, near a bonfire just like this one. Dude, that was hilarious.
Shizu chuckles softly.Then his voice softens.
— Man… you're still really down, huh?
Carlius lifts his head toward the starry sky, forcing a smile.
— Yeah… I'm sad, angry… and I don't even want to know what tomorrow looks like. She died… and I didn't even get to tell her how much I loved her. I'm pathetic, right?
Shizu stares at the fire, serious.
— No. I don't think she'd ever consider you pathetic. You were an essential part of this victory. You were incredible, Carlius… just like I see you now. Thank you for everything.
Carlius loses the smile, still looking at the sky.
— I promised… that when everything was over… we would all celebrate together. All of us… and we'd see the roses again…
His hands tighten. He starts crying silently.
Shizu looks up and smiles faintly.
— You know… she was really amazing. Strong, beautiful… and a lot of people loved her. And you feel the same, right?— So I think you should stop blaming yourself. Stop thinking only about the past. I'm sure that moving forward is her wish now. No matter how much it hurts… no matter how hard it is… move forward so that one day you can say: "I was there, for her."
Carlius lowers his head.
— She died… I couldn't be there to protect her… how can I say that…?
Shizu grabs his shoulders firmly.Carlius' eyes widen — Shizu was crying.
— That's exactly why! Because you couldn't be there! If you become someone who's always present, no matter what, she'll be able to rest. One of her wishes was not to be alone… nor forgotten.So move forward for her.Move without looking back.The Anistina we knew… will rest forever in our hearts.
A deep silence takes over the area. Everyone around had stopped to listen.
Phisil stands up, grabs a piece of wood, lights it in the fire and raises it like a torch.
— I light this torch for our companion. The leader of our hearts.
Another person repeats the gesture.
— Our leader was incredible. I show my respect for her!
Ghilher stands as well.
— Besides being a leader, she was one of the strongest people I have ever met. Thanks to her, we are alive. I light this torch too!
A child approaches. Dark hair, brown eyes.She lights a small stick and says:
— The lady… who passed away… I didn't even know her name, but she always bought drinks at my mom's stall… and she always gave me candy… so I want to thank her too…
Carlius watches, his eyes shining with emotion.Memories flood his mind.
Beautiful roses…A familiar smile…
"So… one day, could I be like these roses… loved by everyone?"
Tears fall. He covers his face, unable to hold back.
— Yes… you were, miss… we loved you… so much… our rose…
Shizu hugs Carlius tightly.
Anin, holding her own torch, smiles.
— Thank you, Anistina… you were amazing.
The celebration goes on with laughter and tears.A night of emotion, farewells… and hope.
Dawn arrives.Before the improvised graves, everyone gathers to thank those who had fallen.
Shizu, Anin, Laura and Carlius place a hand over their hearts before Anistina's cross.
Later, Laura steps before them all.
— Citizens… I am here to ask for forgiveness. I know nothing I say will bring anyone back… but please… give me a chance to fix things. I carry this surname, but I will never be like that monster. Allow me to help rebuild this place.
Silence.Then a man asks:
— Can you prove that… without cold words?
Laura takes a deep breath, places a hand on her chest, firm.
— I cannot prove it now. But I can prove it from this day forward. Not with words… but with actions. Actions that will make a difference.
Everyone watches her.
Then a child says:
— I believe in her!
People start to agree.An elderly woman holds Laura's hand.
— We trust you… Lady Laura.
And everyone kneels.
Laura panics, trying to get them to stand, but Shizu appears from a distance and says quietly:
— Congratulations, Laura.
He walks away and steps into a carriage.But Anin grabs him.
— Where are you going? Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?
Shizu sighs.
— I already did what I had to do. Now I'll continue my journey. I need to find out why I came to this world.— So… this is where we say goodbye.
Anin squeezes his hand tighter.
— What if… I could go with you?
Shizu is so shocked he falls out of the carriage.
— B-but what about your brother?! Who will take care of him?!
Suddenly, Gab appears behind him.
— Gab can take care of himself! I'm already an adult!
Shizu lifts Gab into the air.
— Gab!! You're okay!!
— Put me down!! Sis!!
Anin laughs.Gab crosses his arms and looks at Shizu seriously.
— Sis is pretty and strong. I don't think it's right to get in her way. I can stay with Sister Laura. So if Sis wants to go with you… you can take her!
Shizu's eyes widen.
— Wow… this makes it sound like I'm kidnapping her…
Anin pats Gab's head.
— Thank you, Gab… you're really strong.
Shizu takes a deep breath, looks at Anin, and extends his hand.
— I'm weak… I know nothing about this world… and there's a lot I need to learn. So, Anin… I want to ask you… would you accompany me on my journey?
Gab pushes Anin forward.
— Go sis!! Give big bro your answer!!
She laughs and nods.
— Of course, Shizu. Wherever you go… I'll go.
Shizu lights up.
— YESS!!
She extends her hand.
— Then… shall we go?
He holds it firmly.
— Let's go, Anin.
Meanwhile…
Among the ruins of the castle, a hooded figure appears before Babadar's grave.A feline face, a long, fluffy tail.
He takes a green crystal from his pocket… and crushes it.
Instantly, he is teleported to a golden corridor.He passes by several humanoid animals until reaching a great throne.
He kneels.
— My lord… I bring news. Ana Izius Babadar has been defeated and killed by a rebellion. I have data about the country… and also about one of those responsible for her fall. He can be identified as "the hero of Babadar," but also by the name…
— Shizu Mark.
The figure on the throne — a humanoid with a rat's face, muscular and covered in jewels — raises his tail adorned with golden rings, producing a deadly rumble.
His gaze is pure hatred.
— Shizu Mark…