They arrive at Voytek's old home. The door opens, and Hans stands there, his face lighting up with surprise and joy. Waenush immediately bends down and hugs him tightly. "You've grown so much!" he laughs warmly.
Laenu stands in the doorway beside Voytek. For a moment, the two simply look at each other — years of distance and pain hanging in the silence. Then Laenu steps forward and embraces him, whispering, "Welcome home."
Later that night, Voytek lies in bed beside her, the quiet hum of the city filling the room. Laenu traces a finger along his arm and asks softly, "Father told me he's expecting you to enter the Games tomorrow."
Voytek exhales slowly. "I… I don't know if I want to go," he admits. "I might not be able to come back this time."
Laenu moves closer, wrapping her arms around him from behind. "You're Lord Voytek — the returning legend. Even if you don't win this year, I know you'll survive like you always have."
Voytek lets out a faint laugh. "I almost forgot you were a therapist… But Norval's death—it broke something in me. No words could fix it. I thought time might help, and I probably need more of it. Every night, I see him in my dreams… that moment when he…" His voice cracks. "It never stops replaying."
Laenu's tone softens. "You're still not mentally fine, even after five years… I was devastated too when Norval died. But I know he wouldn't want you trapped in that pain. He'd want you to keep going — to win the Games for him. And if you do… you'll have the power of a god. You could bring him back."
Voytek's eyes widen as the thought hits him. "I… never thought of that. I've been so clouded by grief that I never looked beyond it." He turns to her, hope flickering faintly in his eyes. "Thank you. I'll try… tomorrow."
They share a tender kiss before falling asleep in each other's arms.
The next morning, a limo glides through the city streets toward the square. Inside sit Voytek, Laenu, Hans, and Waenush.
Waenush smiles. "This time, we'll actually be able to watch you in the Games."
Hans's eyes widen. "Really? We can watch?!"
Waenush chuckles. "Of course. Want to hear a short story?"
Hans nods eagerly.
"During my travels," Waenush begins, "I discovered a higher society that exists beyond most worlds. Back during the 50th Star Games, there was a planet called Romatide — a civilization far ahead of its time. But because their world level grew too high, God destroyed them. Before their destruction, many escaped across the universe, filled with vengeance. They built technology so advanced they could travel through galaxies and reach the Universal Tree itself."
He takes a sip of water and then continues
"When they finally climbed to its top, they saw God's Kingdom — and the Star Games in the divine arena. But before they could strike, an Angel appeared. Its presence alone made them powerless. Yet the Angel forgave them, granting them permission to watch the Games instead.
"That's how the Watchers began — the higher society. They spread the word across the cosmos, allowing any planet with a world level of five or higher to witness the Games."
Waenush reaches into his pocket and pulls out a shimmering ticket. "I've been in contact with them for years. They've finally allowed me to join them this year. So if any of you want to come along, we can go watch together."
Hans's face lights up with excitement. "Yes! I want to go!"
Waenush laughs warmly, while Voytek remains quiet, lost in his thoughts.
Laenu glances at her father and smiles. "You've done a lot out there this past decade," she says softly as she turns to the worried Voytek.
As they arrive in the city square, only a handful of people are gathered — a stark contrast to the massive crowds that once filled the plaza during past Games. The Star Gate hums with energy as its swirling blue, casting waves of shimmering light across the quiet square.
Voytek walks up the steps, his reflection rippling in the portal's glow. But as he gazes into it, flashes of memory strike him like thunder — Norval's final words, his lifeless eyes, the blood on his blade. His chest tightens. His breathing falters. He grabs his head and begins to tremble, the world spinning around him as panic overtakes his body.
Footsteps echo behind him.
Fable walks forward, his cloak fluttering in the portal's wind. He stops beside Voytek and says coldly, "You've changed. You've lost that spark you once had — the spark I saw when you was only a teenager running into the gate. Disappointing…" He steps past Voytek, adding, "But no more. You started something great, and I'm going to continue it."
Fable walks up the steps and stands in front of the glowing Star Gate.
Voytek stands frozen, shaking, trying to breathe through the weight crushing his heart — when another figure passes him. He turns and sees Laenu.
She looks back at him, her eyes steady and bright. "The legend must live on," she says firmly. "Just like you always said. You don't want to see our people lose hope in their eyes. Take a look closely… I still have hope in my eyes."
Her words pierce through him like light breaking through storm clouds. Tears well in his eyes as Laenu turns and walks toward the gate. She reaches Fable's side, and together they disappear into the portal — just before it closes.
Voytek's knees weaken. The silence feels deafening. The portal's light fades, leaving him standing there, trembling and broken. He falls to his knees, clutching his chest, the grief tearing him apart once again.
Waenush approaches quietly, his face filled with disappointment but no anger. He kneels beside Voytek and places a hand on his shoulder — saying nothing, because no words could reach him now.
Hans watches the scene, confused and heartbroken, but he forces a small smile. "Don't worry!" he says, trying to sound brave. "Grandma's going to win the Games for us!"
Moments later, Voytek remains behind, withdrawn and silent in his home, while Waenush and Hans board their spaceship.
As the ship lifts off, Hans looks out the window toward the horizon where the city fades beneath the clouds.
The ship ascends into the upper atmosphere, then enters a shimmering white portal. Inside, the tunnel of the World Tree surrounds them — enormous, radiant, alive with swirling colors that paint the everything in lights. Hans stares in awe. "It's beautiful…"
Waenush smiles faintly.
They emerge into God's Kingdom, a realm of golden clouds, floating building, and colossal gates. Thousands of other ships arrive as they all fly toward God's Arena.
The 109th Star Games begin.
Waenush and Hans watch from the the ship as the first stage begins with a World Race that is displayed across the massive magic screens. Seven billion Stars sprint across collapsing continents, through storms and quakes.
Fable and Laenu run side by side, leaping over falling debris, dodging bolts of divine fire. Laenu finishes 4th place, and Fable 10th.
Waenush and Hans cheer loudly, proud and tearful.
The Games continue — Stage Two, Stage Three, Stage Four. Fable fights valiantly but dies in Laenu's arms, his body fading into light as he smiles one last time.
Waenush lowers his head, tears running down his face. Hans cries silently beside him.
During the fifth stage, Capture The Flag.
The battlefield is littered with corpses — mountains of fallen Stars. Laenu stands alone, her armor cracked, her body bleeding, her sword trembling in her hand. Behind her, the flag of her team flutters weakly in the hot wind.
Across the field, an entire army of enemy Stars marches forward, their armor glinting under the burning sky.
Laenu raises her sword high, pointing it toward the sky — as if it is pointing at Waenush and Hans. Her eyes blaze with courage.
Then she roars, charging forward with a warrior's cry that echoes across the dead land.
She cuts down enemies left and right — blades clash, blood sprays, bodies fall — but the army's numbers are endless. Arrows pierce her chest. Spears stab through her sides. Swords slice into her armor. Still, she fights on.
Her movements slow. Her vision fades.
She drops to one knee, her sword planted into the ground. With her last breath, she whispers, "Voytek… Hans… I'll be joining Norval soon."
She then collapses backward as the enemy army storms past her and seizes the flag. The crowd erupts in victory roars as Laenu and her fallen teammates glow softly, then burst into particles of divine light — scattering into the air like fading stars.
Waenush slams his fist against the railing, shouting in anguish and fury, kicking over chairs as tears flood his eyes.
Hans wipes his face, trembling, then looks up at the screen and whispers, voice shaking, "Grandma… you've made us proud."
Moments later, they arrive home. Waenush breaks the news to Voytek, as he can only respond with cries and tears. He quietly steps outside, leaving him to his sorrow, and sees Hans in the front yard, training harder than ever with wooden swords.
Hans yells, "Our world may have lost hope, but I still carry it! I'll train harder and study harder because I'll be the one to win the Star Games!"
Four years pass. Hans now trains alone at the Star Academy, his skills sharper than ever. As he exits the building into the busy streets, he glances back to the building and sees Voytek walking out of the academy doors. Voytek's eyes are filled with tears.
"You have to stop," Voytek says. "I can't lose you too."
Suddenly, explosions ripple through the academy. The blast throws Voytek across the streets and sends Hans crashing into a nearby car. He coughs, struggling to regain his balance. Through the thick smoke, he sees the Star Academy engulfed in flames.
"Gamps! Get up!" Hans cries, rushing to Voytek's side.
Voytek groans weakly. "I'm sorry, Hans… but it had to be done."
Hans stares at him in disbelief. Then, his expression hardens as he looks into the roaring fire.
"So you did this… to stop me from joining the Star Games," he says. "But you're wrong. The fire inside me burns even brighter now. You're not going to stop me, I'm going to bring them back. Father and grandma."
Voytek freezes, stunned by his words. In that moment, he sees his younger self reflected in Hans, both with the same burning eyes. Hans turns and runs away from the city.
A year passes.
Only thirty minutes remain until the 110th Star Games begin. Voytek, now fifty-nine, stands with his soldiers guarding the Star Gate in the city square.
"Don't let anyone through!" he commands. "Even if it's my grandson!"
His soldiers salute and form a wall of energy riot shields.
Moments later, a massive crowd approaches, holding signs that read "False Hope" and "Justice for Hope." Voices rise in anger:
"Lord Voytek lied to us all!"
"We were once candidates—after he became a coward, the legend died with him!"
"There must be a new!"
The mob surges forward as the soldiers use their shields to push them back, but their numbers only grows.
Voytek clenches his jaw. "Hans… he must have planned this."
He scans the chaos but then, smoke grenades are thrown over and explodes across the square, filling the air with thick fog. Protesters clash with soldiers as the barricade breaks apart.
Voytek draws his baton and charges forward, striking down several people who manage to break through. Amid the chaos, a hooded figure darts past him. He swings his baton, missing by an inch but the strike knocks away the cloak, revealing Hans, now fifteen, sprinting with fiery determination.
Voytek freezes. In his mind, he sees his younger self running alongside Hans, both mirroring the same burning spirit.
"Hans…" he breathes.
Hans rushes toward the Star Gate. In that instant, memories of his entire family flash before Voytek's eyes. His voice breaks.
"HANS! You're the only family I have left! I can't lose you! I—"
His words are cut short by a memory—Waenush's voice echoing in his mind:
"If you don't want to lose him too, then help him. This kid has potential even greater than yours."
The words pierce him deeply.
Voytek shouts, running towards the gate.
Leaping into the Star Gate as it seals shut behind him, leaving the entire city square in stunned silence.
Moments later, Voytek materializes on the Doom Planet, standing amid the ruined lands. All around him, countless Stars gather as the first wave of doom begins. Explosions shake the ground—battles erupt in every direction as warriors clashes.
Voytek grabs a broken staff from the ground, ignoring most of the chaos around him as he searches for Hans. Blades and arrows fly past him, one strike grazes his shoulder, another hits his back. The pain ignites something long buried inside him. The old fire returns.
With renewed strength, Voytek fights back, parrying and striking down the attacking natives one after another. He pushes forward through the wreckage until he reaches a crumbling temple. Inside, bodies of fallen Stars litter the stone floor.
At the center, Hans and Vel are locked in a fierce duel, their swords clashing and sparking with every blow. Voytek pauses at the entrance, breath caught in his throat as he watches Hans fight with relentless determination—matching Vel's every move.
Suddenly, a dozen more Stars storm into the temple. Voytek charges in, beating down most of them, his movements sharp and furious. The few who slip past him but are quickly slain by Vel's blade. As the last body falls, glowing runes on the temple walls ignite with magic light—granting Vel a surge of bonus power.
Vel lowers her sword, stepping closer to Hans. "Stop," she says calmly. "I've already won. Join me and we'll win the Games together."
Her enchanted words wrap around Hans like a spell. His anger fades as he nods slowly in agreement.
Voytek approaches, lowering his weapon. "Hans… I'm sorry," he says, voice trembling. "I've been a coward these past ten years. But you… you've reignited the fire in me. I realize now, I can't change you and it's my fault to begin with. And if you were to die too… I could never live with that. So I decide to help you."
Hans smiles, eyes bright. "I knew you'd come through, Gramps, the returning legend."
They embrace tightly. For the first time in years, Voytek feels the crushing weight on his heart finally lift.