The sun rose over a changed Nasugbu. The news cycle was in a frenzy. The Alcantara empire was crumbling.
We stood at the plaza fountain, the site of our first promise. Ms. Liza was with us, finally free. Leo was already getting interview requests from tech blogs, a hero in his own world.
But our victory was bittersweet. Luna was there, but she was barely a whisper of light, a faint chill in the morning air. Her purpose was fulfilled. Her father's name was cleared. Her truth was told.
"I can feel it," her voice was the softest sigh, a thought on the wind. "The rope… it's loosening. I can finally let go."
She was saying goodbye. The peace we had fought for was the very thing that would take her from us. We had won, but at the cost of the extraordinary secret that had made my ordinary world magical. The ghost of Bilaran High was finally at rest. And my heart was breaking