When Nujah opened his eyes…
"Where is this…?" he wondered. It was a place he had never seen before. He lifted his head and saw the sun shining above.
"This… is Earth? But how…?"
Then his gaze caught a massive statue—
A statue that looked exactly like him.
He walked toward it slowly. The base of the monument was covered with countless flowers, toys, and painted handprints. On a plaque beneath the statue, words were carved:
"Endless gratitude. We can never repay your courage."
Nujah's lips trembled.
"Am I dead? … Wait, what am I saying? Of course I'm dead. But this isn't Alvaren's castle. My memories tell me death should mean hunger, filth, and despair… yet here, there was light. Hope. Life energy everywhere. So much of it that just trying to think made my head spin."
As he steadied himself, he noticed a family nearby.
A young boy he didn't recognize pulled a samurai-like toy from his backpack, placed it at the foot of the statue, and began to pray with his mother.
Nujah watched carefully.
When the boy stood up, he whispered:
"This toy belonged to my grandfather. I hope you like it. Thank you… for everything."
Together with his mother, he walked away.
Nujah approached the toy slowly. The samurai figure was beautifully crafted, though it carried no trace of life energy. Yet the moment he held it, a strange excitement and gratitude welled up inside him.
"But there's still a problem… Who am I now? Where am I? And what am I doing here?"
He hurried to find a shop nearby, clutching the toy. Stepping inside, he tried to speak to the shopkeeper. But the man gave no response—
as if he couldn't hear or see him at all.
Nujah's eyes darted to a mirror.
Nothing.
His reflection was gone.
Only the toy remained—floating in midair, visible to anyone who looked.
The shopkeeper saw it, screamed, and ran out.
Nujah slipped quickly through the back door, trying not to draw attention. But before he could leave, soldiers burst inside.
They looked around, confused—seeing nothing.
Then a hoarse, trembling voice spoke:
"…Nujah? Is that… you?"
Nujah turned and recognized the speaker.
It was the old captain of Seren Valinea's guard.
Nujah smiled faintly.
"It's been a long time…" he said.