Hide woke first to find Sona asleep on top of him, her head tucked under his chin, breathing softly. He tried to shift without waking her — but gave up and just watched her instead. Her hair had grown since the last time they'd really been together. She looked so at peace that he almost forgot the world waiting for them outside.
Eventually, Sona stirred, blinking herself awake — then turned bright red when she realized where she was.
"Sorry! I— I didn't mean—" she stammered, sliding off him.
"It's fine," Hide said, laughing quietly. "Come on. We've got exploring to do."
They set out together, stepping back into the thick, green wild. The island air felt alive — rich with old memories.
"Do you know much about this place?" Hide asked.
"Not really. When I first woke up here, I only wandered parts of it — but I never found that temple before," Sona said.
"Then we'll find out together," Hide said.
She grinned. "You bet."
Hours later, they stood before that same ancient statue. Hide studied the worn stone face — half human, half fiend — that looked far too much like him.
"Creepy how much it looks like you," Sona said.
Hide crossed his arms. "And creepier that it looks more like a fiend than me. Maybe it's just a symbol."
"Maybe you were worshipped here?" Sona teased.
"Hope not. I'd rather be forgotten than turned into a statue."
Far away in the city, Minami's morning was far less calm.
"Minami, don't forget your umbrella!" his mother called. He grabbed it on his way out, catching his father muttering about the endless rain. Storm clouds gathered overhead like an omen.
Back in the wild, Hide and Sona came across something moving in the trees — a huge wolf-like beast with glowing rune marks etched into its fur. It snarled as they approached.
"Wanna capture it?" Hide asked.
"Do you want to?" Sona shot back.
Hide only shrugged — then calmly stepped forward, hand outstretched. The beast bared its teeth — but instead of lunging, it lowered its head, pressing its forehead into Hide's palm.
Sona stared. "What did you just do?"
Hide petted the creature's thick fur. "Guess I'm just lovable."
She rolled her eyes. "It's an enchanted beast. See the runes? Let's name him."
"Zander," Sona decided. The beast flicked its ears like it approved.
They rode Zander deeper into the island until the trees thinned into swamp. There, tucked into the misty marshes, they found a smoking hut. Smoke coiled from a crooked chimney.
Inside, a figure crouched over a small fire, roasting fish. The stranger looked up, unfazed by their sudden appearance.
"You two," the old man rasped, voice like rough bark. "What are you doing here?"
"Exploring," Hide said carefully. "You know this place?"
The old man studied them both — eyes sharp under bushy brows.
"Most can't speak my tongue. Where'd you learn?" he asked.
"Long story," Hide said.
"Longer than mine?" The man chuckled. "Name's Cid. Been here longer than I can remember. Alchemist. Fiend. Exile. Take your pick."
"Fiend?" Sona asked.
Cid lifted a hand, showing claws that glinted in the firelight. "Not worth hiding it. Besides — wouldn't raise a hand to the King of Fiends."
Hide froze. "You know me?"
Cid's grin widened. "The statue out there is you. The one who ended Lugren. The one who stopped the fiend war. My kin still feel your blood in the soil."
They sat with Cid for a while, swapping questions for answers. He told them about the hidden village — humans and fiends living together, far from the FCC and BCC's reach.
"I can take you there," Cid offered at last. "If you trust an old swamp rat."
Hide nodded. "Lead the way."
As they trekked through the mist, Cid peered back at Sona walking close to Hide.
"You know, Master Hide," he said, "strange thing, bringing a human girl."
Hide flushed. "She's not just a human. She's… she's my everything."
Cid barked a laugh. "Just like your parents, then."
Meanwhile, in the city, Minami's day twisted into whispers and rumors. Killian and Fujikawa cornered him after class.
"You hear about Ayumi? She's not really Sona — it's a fake name."
"And Hide?" Minami asked, tension crawling up his spine.
"They say he's dead," Killian said. "Taken out on the expedition."
Minami's fists clenched under the table. No way.
That night, somewhere far from the city's lights, Minami found himself tied to a chair under a single flickering lamp.
A figure stepped out of the shadows, blade glinting.
"Tell us who else knows about our plan."
Minami spat blood. "Never."
Pain followed — cold steel tracing lines across his skin.
Miles away, Hide paused under the canopy, the wind shifting around him. Something's wrong.
Sona caught his arm. "What is it?"
"Nothing," Hide lied. But inside, something ancient stirred — a pulse that reached across the darkness.
Back in that basement, Minami's eyes fluttered. Then the light flickered — and a figure appeared beside him, mask smooth, eyes glowing red.
"Who— who are you?" Minami gasped.
"An old man in the woods," the masked figure said lightly. "Your rescue."
He turned to the captors. "Let him go. Or I do it my way."
They hesitated — then untied Minami.
"Who are you?" one captor hissed.
The masked man lifted the mask — Ji-San's craggy face grinned out. "Minami's grandfather."
Before they could move, his blades flashed — two bodies fell, silent.
Minami stumbled out into the night, leaning on Ji-San's shoulder.
"Hide sent me," Ji-San said quietly. "He's alive. And he's waiting."
Back on the island, the hidden village welcomed Hide and Sona as long-lost legends. Children and fiends alike wept as they passed. The village elder took their hands.
"The prophecy is true," he said. "When the world needed you most — you returned."
They danced that night under lanterns and stars, Sona's laughter ringing out in the darkness.
Far away, Minami sat in his living room, bandaged, staring at Ji-San who drank tea like nothing had happened.
"Grandpa…" Minami whispered. "Thank you."
"You're family," Ji-San said, ruffling his hair. "We protect our own."
Later, Hide watched the village celebration from the hill, Sona curled into his side.
"Do you think this world can really change?" she asked.
Hide pulled her closer. "I don't know. But we can make it try."
She smiled. "Promise?"
"Promise."
And under the vast, ancient sky — for a moment — the King of Fiends was just a boy in love, dreaming of tomorrow.