Finally, the group found themselves back inside Cocolia's office in Qlipoth Fort.
Cocolia stood behind her desk, with Bronya beside her. Across from them stood Kouga, Caelus, Dan Heng, March 7th and Seele.
Cocolia: "We are really thankful for your help on restoring our world. If there's anything you desire, please ask away."
Kouga glanced toward Caelus, Dan Heng, and March.
Kouga: "Anything you guys want?"
Caelus: "No."
Dan Heng simply shook his head.
March 7th: "Nope."
Kouga nodded.
Kouga: "As you can see, we don't require any reward for this."
He then looked toward Cocolia.
Kouga: "Well, you can have your daughter accompanying my friends back to the Underworld since someone needs to bring the news to the Underworld."
Cocolia immediately understood what Kouga was implying.
He wanted Bronya and Seele to accompany the others so that he and Cocolia could have a private conversation.
Cocolia nodded.
Cocolia: "Bronya, if you please. And send this message: 'The blockade will soon be lifted. The people of the Underworld will breathe freely.'"
Seele's eyes widened.
The blockade was going to be lifted.
The Underworlders would finally be allowed to return to the surface—the very thing Wildfire had been fighting for all these years.
Bronya nodded.
Bronya: "Understood, Mother!"
She turned toward Seele.
Bronya: "Let's go, Seele."
Seele nod and following Bronya.
The two led Caelus, Dan Heng, and March out of the office, leaving Kouga and Cocolia alone.
The door closed behind them.
Cocolia turned back toward Kouga.
Cocolia: "So, what do you want to discuss, my lord?"
Kouga's expression became more serious.
Kouga: "I'm here to deliver your punishment."
Cocolia blinked.
Cocolia: "Punishment?"
Kouga: "You can't exactly be allowed to go scot-free, can you? Don't worry, it won't lead to your death or anything like that."
Cocolia fell silent.
She understood exactly what he meant.
Every order.
Every sacrifice.
Every innocent life lost because she believed the Stellaron's promise of a "new world."
She remembered the people she had sent into battles they could never return from.
She remembered the Underworld.
She remembered Serval.
The friend she had pushed away.
Cocolia lowered her eyes.
Cocolia: "I see. I understand."
Kouga nodded.
He then transformed.
Light surrounded his body as the armor of Kamen Rider Ghost Mugen Damashii materialized around him.
Cocolia watched silently as Kouga raised one hand toward her.
A wave of strange, ethereal energy flowed from his palm and enveloped Cocolia before disappearing into her body.
A few seconds later, Kouga detransformed.
Cocolia looked down at herself.
Nothing seemed different.
Cocolia: "...What did you do?"
Kouga: "Nothing you'll notice immediately."
Cocolia looked back at him.
Kouga: "Every night, whenever you go to sleep, their soul will appear."
Cocolia's expression hardened slightly.
Kouga: "Every single person who suffered because of your orders. Every soldier you sent into battle. Every person who died because you chose to follow the Stellaron."
Cocolia's eyes widened slightly.
Kouga: "You'll see their faces. You'll know what happened to them. And every night, before you can truly rest, you'll have to apologize to at least 10 of them untill they can forgive you."
Kouga: "You were manipulated by the Stellaron, yes. But being manipulated doesn't erase the consequences of what you did."
Kouga: "So every night, you'll face those soul and apologize."
Kouga: "That's your punishment, Cocolia."
Cocolia remained silent for a long moment.
Then she closed her eyes.
The faces of those she had sacrificed began to return to her mind.
Cocolia: "I understand."
Kouga nodded.
Kouga: "Good."
Meanwhile, Bronya, Seele, Caelus, March 7th, and Dan Heng had returned to the Underworld to deliver Cocolia's message.
However, as they approached Natasha's clinic, they noticed something unusual.
A large crowd had gathered outside.
March 7th: "Look! There's a big crowd around the clinic."
March 7th: "Do you think they saw the light show that Mr. Hayata made? Let's go ask around."
They approached the gathered civilians.
Male Civilian: "What was that light just now?"
Female Civilian: "Was it the Fragmentum?"
Girl: "Was it an earthquake?"
Man: "No, it couldn't have been an earthquake..."
Girl: "What about an avalanche?"
Man: "Eh, not an avalanche either..."
Girl: "Then could it be the end of the world?"
Man: "Maybe..."
An elderly man looked absolutely terrified.
Elderly Man: "It's over, we're doomed..."
Elderly Man: "I haven't even written my will yet!"
An elderly woman beside him sighed.
Elderly Woman: "What are you so worked up about?"
Elderly Woman: "It's not like we have much to will to anyone in the first place."
March stared at them for a moment.
March 7th: "...Wow."
The group then spotted Natasha and Oleg.
March immediately waved.
March 7th: "Natasha! Oleg! Hope you didn't have to wait too long."
Natasha: "Oh! It's them!"
Oleg: "You kids move fast! By the look on your faces, I assume you come bearing good news?"
March grinned.
March 7th: "Mm-hmm, you bet! You might not believe this, but Mr. Hayata restored the world."
Caelus: "Yes. We saw the world being restored, and the Eternal Freeze is no more."
Dan Heng: "We were there. We witnessed everything."
Natasha stared at them in disbelief.
Natasha: "Mr. Hayata? Your companion... he did all of it? ...I see."
Oleg: "So the light we saw earlier was his doing, right?"
Caelus: "Yes. It was a sight."
Natasha slowly smiled.
Natasha: "...Thank you. I can't even imagine what you've been through up there. I'm just glad everything turned out alright."
Bronya stepped forward.
Bronya: "I also brought a message from the Supreme Guardian."
Bronya took a breath.
Bronya: "The blockade will soon be lifted. The people of the Underworld will breathe freely."
Natasha and Oleg both froze.
For several seconds, neither of them said anything.
Natasha: "I see."
Her expression softened as the weight of those words sank in.
She then looked toward Caelus.
Natasha: "You did say that Cocolia was being manipulated by the Stellaron, and I'm guessing that she is now free from the Stellaron."
Caelus nodded.
Natasha looked toward the ceiling, almost as though she could already imagine the Underworlders standing beneath an open sky.
Natasha: "'Breathe freely...' That's been our wish all along."
She then looked at Seele, Bronya, March, Dan Heng, and Caelus.
Natasha: "Seele, Bronya, March, Dan Heng, and Caelus... can I ask for your help again? I want to get this news out to everyone. It'll lift their spirits and bring them hope."
Caelus: "Count us in."
Natasha smiled.
Natasha: "Thank you. Choose whoever you like. Wildfire will take care of the rest."
March looked toward Caelus.
March 7th: "We've gotten to know a lot of Underworlders... Caelus, who do you think we should start with?"
Caelus thought for a moment.
Caelus: "Let's split up."
Caelus: "I'll start with the mining team over at the Great Mine. March will start with Hook and the Moles, and Dan Heng can start with Gertie."
Seele immediately spoke up.
Seele: "Bronya and I will go with Caelus since I know Antonia more."
Natasha nodded.
Natasha: "Roger that—you can leave the rest to us. If everything goes smoothly... this should be Wildfire's final mission."
The group exchanged determined looks.
Then they split into three teams, each heading toward a different part of the Underworld to spread the news.
Caelus, Seele, and Bronya made their way toward the Great Mine.
The journey itself was strangely quiet.
Bronya walked beside Caelus, occasionally glancing toward him as though she wanted to say something.
She opened her mouth once.
Then closed it.
A few moments later, she tried again.
Still nothing came out.
She wasn't sure what she was supposed to talk about. Caelus was an outsider, a Trailblazer, an Emanator—and, according to everything she had learned recently, someone who draw power from Kouga.
Yet despite all that, she had somehow agreed to Cocolia's suggestion.
And now she had absolutely no idea how to start a conversation with him.
Seele noticed the awkward silence but decided not to interfere.
The three continued walking.
Silence.
More silence.
Eventually, they reached the Great Mine.
Antonia was speaking with one of the Vagrants when she noticed them approaching.
Antonia: "...Here, take it. I'm afraid we're short on goods and materials right now."
Humble Vagrant: "Oh, well we actually have enough for the moment. You hang onto it..."
Caelus: "Hey! Are you guys causing trouble again?"
Antonia immediately turned around.
Antonia: "It's you! Oh, no, no, you misunderstand..."
Antonia: "Part of the mine suddenly collapsed when everything suddenly covered in light. If the vagrants here hadn't stopped to help, I doubt we'd have gotten everyone out in one piece."
Antonia: "I was just discussing how to repay them. It's a shame the mining team is hard up right now."
Caelus smiled.
Caelus: "Wanna hear something really great?"
Antonia raised an eyebrow.
Antonia: "Oh? To do with us? I'm listening..."
Caelus, Seele, and Bronya then explained everything that had happened.
They told the miners about the Eternal Freeze being over, the Stellaron being destroyed, and Cocolia's decision to lift the blockade.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Antonia's eyes widened.
Antonia: "You mean to say that... we're about to be reunited with the Overworld?"
Humble Vagrant: "Are you serious!? This has... gotta be a dream. Good things... don't happen to us!"
Caelus: "Then consider this your luckiest day ever."
Antonia looked around the mine.
Antonia: "If things go back to the way they were 10 years ago... then the mining team can finally escape this poverty..."
Her expression softened.
Antonia: "...and you won't have to rely on the charity of others. We'll finally be living with the dignity we deserve."
The Vagrant lowered his head.
Humble Vagrant: "I... sniffsob"
Caelus: "Let it out!"
The Vagrant wiped his eyes, while several of the other miners began cheering and celebrating around them.
Antonia stepped forward.
Antonia: "Thank you, outsiders, from the bottom of my heart! The mining team'll remember you as heroes... as will the rest of the Underworld."
Antonia: "Please tell Natasha that we're ready to get back to work... If the cable car station can start operating again, we'll dispatch a mining representative to negotiate with the Architects."
Caelus nodded.
Caelus: "We'll let her know."
Suddenly, Caelus's phone vibrated.
He pulled it out and saw a message from Welt.
Welt:
- @Caelus @March 7th @Dan Heng @Kouga. Good job on dealing with the stellaron.
Caelus typed a response.
Caelus:
- We'll need to stay here a little longer.
Welt:
- Don't rush, go at your own pace. The Express will be here, before you're ready to leave.
March 7th:
- Great!
- I'm craving some juice... Pom-Pom still owes me a glass!
Dan Heng:
- How is Jarilo-VI?
Welt:
- It's restored and life returned. The Stellaron no longer exists on this planet.
March 7th:
- Awesome, you're the best @Kouga.
A moment later, Kouga replied.
Kouga:
- I just do what must be done. Btw, I'm done talking to Cocolia and already gave her a fitting punishment. I'm also almost done creating a large farm right outside Belobog, so there will be enough food for everyone in Belobog.
Caelus blinked.
Caelus:
- Oh yeah, I almost forgot. What punishment did you give her?
Kouga:
- Oh, I just made it so every night whenever she dreams, the souls of the innocents who were sacrificed by her orders will appear in her dreams, and she will have to do her best to apologize to them.
March's response appeared almost instantly.
March 7th:
- Wait wait wait... Mr. Hayata, ghosts are REAL???? And you can CONTROL THEM?
Kouga:
- Yes, souls/ghosts are real, believe it or not, and yes, I can. I can warp reality down to their concept. A little bit of soul manipulation is easy for me.
There was a short pause.
Welt:
- As expected of you, Kouga.
Caelus:
- ...
Dan Heng:
- ...
March 7th:
- ...You're scary, Mr. Hayata.
Kouga:
- LOL
Caelus stared at the conversation for another second before putting his phone away.
He looked toward Bronya and Seele.
Caelus: "Let's go, Bronya, Seele."
The two nodded.
Natasha's Clinic
After returning from the Great Mine, the three eventually reunited with March 7th and Dan Heng near Natasha's clinic.
Caelus: "Doctor Natasha, we're back..."
Natasha turned toward them.
Natasha: "Oh, is everyone alright? Thanks for your help."
Caelus gave her a grin.
Caelus: "Maybe next time we can send a group notification..."
Natasha laughed softly.
Natasha: "Haha. Sometimes face-to-face communication is more meaningful, don't you think?"
She looked around at the group.
Natasha: "Now we just have to wait for the official news. I hope Cocolia doesn't keep us too long."
March suddenly seemed to remember something.
March 7th: "Huh... do you think Svarog and Clara felt the effects of what Mr. Hayata did?"
Caelus: "I mean, it covered the whole world, so I guess both of them saw the light."
Natasha nodded thoughtfully.
Natasha: "I think they'll be fine... Plus, Svarog's devotion to Clara is even greater than his hostility to Wildfire."
Natasha: "If you're worried, you could look for them over at the robot settlement."
Seele glanced toward Bronya.
Bronya nodded.
Bronya: "Then perhaps we should go and check on them."
Dan Heng: "Agreed. After everything that happened, it would be wise to make sure they're safe."
March 7th: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go check on Clara!"
The group went to the robot settlement and stood infront of the Gate to Svarog's mansion, there they meet a robot and Caelus somehow knew who the robot is.
Perkins: "Outssssiders... F—Friends of Clara."
Caelus: "Hey, Perkins!"
March 7th blinked and looked at Caelus.
March 7th: "How did you know that was Perkins...?"
She paused, then looked over the robot.
March 7th: "Did Clara fix you?"
Perkins's mechanical head twitched slightly.
Perkins: "Th—Th—Thank you... for rescuing... Claaaara."
March tilted her head.
March 7th: "Seems like Perkins picked up a stammer?"
Dan Heng examined Perkins for a moment.
Dan Heng: "Its language module must have malfunctioned... Can you take us to Clara?"
Perkins turned around and began walking toward the mansion.
Perkins: "Outsiders... are f—friends of Clara... Follow me..."
The group exchanged glances before following.
The group followed Perkins through the robot settlement until they reached the area in front of Svarog's mansion. Clara and Svarog were already standing there, apparently in the middle of a conversation.
Svarog turned his massive mechanical body toward them.
Svarog: "You have visitors, Clara."
Clara's face immediately brightened.
Clara: "Ah! It's the variables!"
Caelus chuckled.
Caelus: "Another nickname for the collection..."
March 7th giggled.
March 7th: "You really are collecting quite a few nicknames, huh?"
Clara looked toward the others before glancing up at Svarog.
Clara: "Everything suddenly covered in light. Mr. Svarog said it... must have been..."
Svarog's mechanical eye glowed.
Svarog: "Recalculating... Conclusion: the variable named Hayata. 100% probability."
Caelus nodded.
Caelus: "Yep."
March stepped forward excitedly.
March 7th: "Thanks to Mr. Hayata, we were finally able to take care of the Stellaron... and Cocolia made a promise — the Underworld and the Overworld will soon be reunited."
She smiled at Clara and Svarog.
March 7th: "Which means that you, Svarog — uh... You won't have to worry about preserving the Underworld... for the time being."
Clara's eyes widened.
Clara: "March, everyone... thank you so much! I wasn't sure you guys would be able to do it, but..."
She looked toward Svarog.
Clara: "But now... Mr. Svarog, what do you say?"
Svarog remained silent for a moment.
Clara then turned toward the group, her expression becoming brighter.
Clara: "You guys said you were travelers from other worlds, right? I want to be just like you... One day, I'm gonna go traveling to faraway places and make new friends."
Caelus smiled and gently patted her head.
Caelus: "Your future is yours to decide!"
Svarog's mechanical eye flickered.
Svarog: "Calculation result... update. Mission number 0001 — Preserve the Underworld — complete."
Clara smiled.
Clara: "Mr. Svarog..."
For a moment, the courtyard was peaceful.
Then—
BZZT!
Several phones chimed simultaneously.
Caelus, March 7th, and Dan Heng all pulled out their phones.
Bronya and Seele looked curiously over Caelus's shoulder.
A message from Kouga appeared in the group chat.
Kouga:
- Hey @everyone, i'm done with the farm.
- Also Cocolia already given the orders to the Silvermane Guards to immediately lift the blockade between the Overworld and the Underworld. And some people in the Underworld should have already received the notice.
- From what she told me, after closing for more than a decade, the cable car station should finally be reopening soon. She is about to give a speech.
March's eyes lit up.
March 7th:
- Woohoo! We wouldn't miss it for the universe!
Caelus typed his reply.
Caelus:
- We'll be there.
Dan Heng gave a small nod and put his phone away.
March and Caelus followed suit.
Bronya, however, remained staring at the phones for a moment.
She looked at Caelus's device, then at March's, then at Dan Heng's.
A thoughtful expression appeared on her face.
So that's how they communicate with each other when they're apart...
Bronya glanced down at her own empty hands.
Perhaps I should get one for myself, too.
Seele noticed her expression.
Seele: "Thinking about getting one?"
Bronya blinked.
Bronya: "Perhaps."
Caelus looked over.
Caelus: "Trust me. It's useful."
March immediately raised her hand.
March 7th: "And fun!"
Dan Heng sighed.
Dan Heng: "It can also be distracting."
March pointed at him.
March 7th: "Hey!"
Clara giggled as the group prepared to leave.