The moon bathed the palace in a silver glow, reflecting off the cold stones of the courtyard and the glassy windows lining the corridors. Kuto and Raimi walked side by side, the comfortable silence between them filled only by the distant sound of a gently flowing fountain. Their footsteps echoed softly against the marble floor, almost hesitant, as if the weight of everything they had lived through was being left behind—even if only for a few hours.
The embrace that sealed their union lingered in their minds, warming their hearts with the certainty of a newly formed promise. Raimi looked down, blushing, while Kuto kept a firm posture, though his shoulders were more relaxed than usual. For a moment, it seemed that all the tension hovering over the group had disappeared, replaced by a rare sense of normality.
When they reached the doors of the royal dining hall, the grandeur of the place surprised them. But it wasn't the architectural details that caught their attention: a wave of voices exploded, united in celebration of the engagement.
"Congratulations on the engagement!" everyone shouted in chorus.
Gunja raised a goblet enthusiastically, Selina beamed with joy, and Romeu, loosened by wine, approached Kuto and slapped his shoulder.
"Finally, that hard head realized what he was missing!" he teased, laughing loudly.
Kuto simply huffed and looked away, but an involuntary smile slipped through his lips. Sónia, Sensi, Célia, and Selina surrounded Raimi with hugs and sweet words.
"Congratulations, Your Highness!" Célia said gently.
"Thank you…" Raimi replied, embarrassed, blushing to her ears.
As the hall filled with laughter and joy, Zenk approached Kuto, a mischievous smile on the mage's face.
"You were quite the gentleman, weren't you?" he said, tapping the young man lightly on the shoulder.
Kuto raised an eyebrow and stared at him coldly.
"What was the idea of teleporting me without warning before?"
Zenk laughed, scratching the back of his neck.
"Hey, it worked out, didn't it? That's all that matters."
Kuto sighed, surrendering to the celebratory atmosphere. For a few hours, he allowed himself to forget the pressure of reaching level 100, the mission, and the game they were trapped in. The sound of musicians playing harps and flutes, the flickering light of chandeliers, and the soft aroma of flowers spread throughout the hall created an atmosphere of peace. Raimi couldn't take her eyes off him, absorbing every gesture and every rare but sincere smile.
When the celebration began to slow, Zenk approached once more.
"If you excuse us, I'll take my sister. We have family matters to discuss," he said gently.
Raimi nodded, and the two walked away. Kuto watched them leave, reflecting on everything he had learned up to that moment.
"I think it's time to sleep," he murmured to himself, rising slowly.
Before he could take a step, Jack intercepted him, his smile gentle but serious.
"Hold on, Kuto."
The warrior took a deep breath.
"Look, I understand what you said earlier… about wanting to return. I just want you to know that I also have someone waiting for me out there. My sister—she's in college. I'm the one who pays her bills. And my wife… she's pregnant."
Célia, with a soft but sad expression, added:
"Me too. I have a seven-year-old daughter. I'm a single mother… and everything I do is for her."
Sensi lowered her gaze, holding her hands together.
"My grandmother is my only family now."
Gunja crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"I also have someone special waiting for me."
Sónia discreetly wiped away a tear.
"My parents and siblings… I miss them so much."
Haru tried to smile, but his expression couldn't hide the melancholy.
"I don't have anyone out there. My half-brother died years ago. But even so… I want to go back."
Selina and Dimitri, silent, exchanged a meaningful look.
"Our parents died long ago," Dimitri said. "The day the Nexus began pulling people in, I hugged my brother, and we were both taken."
Everyone turned to Romeu, curious.
"And you, Romeu?" Jack asked.
"I entered this game because of a girl." He blushed. "She said that if I joined and won, she'd go out with me."
A silence fell over the group. Dimitri muttered:
"Only you would risk your life for a date."
Romeu shrugged.
"My mom and stepfather are there. Doubt they'll miss me."
Jack inhaled deeply, looking Kuto in the eyes.
"When you see us smiling or acting like nothing matters, it's not because we forgot everything we left behind. It's to lighten the burden. To keep standing."
For the first time, Kuto lowered his gaze.
"…I understand. I'm sorry for what I said."
Gunja approached, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Relax. We understand the feeling behind your words."
Célia raised her glass.
"Let's make a promise. If one of us manages to return and another stays behind, whoever returns will tell the world what happened."
One by one, they nodded.
"Agreed."
Later, Kuto retired. Moonlight streamed through the window, reflecting off his armor. Lying down, he murmured:
"I promise… I'll save them. All of them. My mother and my sister too."
Morning brought a clear, golden sky. In the royal hall, everyone had already gathered: Kuto, Raimi, Zenk, the group, and the supposed king and queen of Zordis.
Zenk was the first to speak.
"Your Majesty, we may proceed with the ceremony."
The king raised his eyebrows.
"So you decided to marry her, Zenk?"
"No, Your Majesty." Zenk smiled. "But I found someone… a direct descendant of the Yutuko."
Silence swept the hall.
"What?!" the king exclaimed. "That is impossible! Where is this descendant?"
Zenk turned, pointing.
"He is right here."
Kuto stepped forward, tension palpable. The king observed him suspiciously. Zenk made a gesture, and two necklaces began to glow with golden runes reacting to Kuto's blood. The light intensified, blinding.
The entire hall kneeled.
"Welcome, Your Highness," they said in unison.
Kuto was outraged.
"Stand up! You don't need to do that."
Zenk smiled, satisfied.
"So, when will the wedding be?" the king asked, still incredulous.
"Today," Zenk replied.
"Today?!" everyone exclaimed.
Raimi crossed her arms, furious.
"Brother! We need to prepare clothes and notify the people!"
"It's all prepared," Zenk replied confidently. "The city already knows, and the priest is waiting."
"Why the rush?" Raimi asked, still shocked.
"To keep Killvis's messengers from arriving and demanding the princess's hand by force."
Soon after, trumpets echoed, and ornate carriages crossed the city, saluting the couple. Raimi wore a delicate white dress with silver embroidery; her veil floated softly, her blue eyes glowing. Kuto wore a black ceremonial uniform with golden details, his sword gleaming under the sun.
The procession crossed the streets, and among the crowd were familiar faces: Mr. Beltron, his daughter, his son-in-law, and even the girl from the inn where everything had begun.
In the church, the priest blessed their union.
"May this bond unite not only two hearts, but two destinies."
As they exchanged vows, Raimi held Kuto's hand.
"I promise to walk at your side, even if shadows try to tear us apart."
Kuto replied:
"I promise to protect you, even if the world turns against me."
Their kiss sealed the marriage, accompanied by applause and tears. Romeu sniffled in the back:
"Selina, we're next!"
"In your dreams," Selina replied without looking at him.
The banquet was worthy of royalty, full of music, dancing, and laughter. Kuto allowed himself to relax, forgetting for a moment the weight of the game. Later, he and Raimi talked under the moonlight, reflecting on the day, before deciding to sleep in separate rooms for safety.
The next morning, Zenk was in his laboratory when a messenger rushed in:
"Master Zenk! A dungeon has appeared!"
"Where?" the mage asked, serious.
"Near the kingdom!"
Jack, who was passing by, heard the news and smiled.
"A dungeon with legendary treasures?"
"Yes," Zenk replied. "But don't underestimate it—they can be dangerous."
Jack gathered the group.
"We have a challenge. The dungeon must be sealed. Gear up."
The group traveled through the forest until they found a colossal temple covered in ancient roots, emanating a cold, strange energy.
"This doesn't look normal," Sensi murmured.
"Just fear," Dimitri said, trying to hide his unease.
"My instincts never fail," Sensi insisted.
Jack took a deep breath and touched the door.
"Let's go."
The doors opened with a thunderous sound. The group entered, torches lighting themselves, revealing endless corridors and dense shadows.
In the laboratory, Zenk flipped through an ancient tome when the messenger returned, pale:
"Master… it's Rank A!"
Zenk froze. Without a second thought, he teleported instantly, reappearing in front of the temple—too late. The doors had already closed. Kuto's group had vanished into the dungeon's shadows.