Marie launched herself forward, rushing over the cobblestone street. The silver streak moved ahead of her, weaving between buildings and guiding her path.

"Marie!" Joseph's shout came from behind. "Where are you-"

Marie didn't answer, couldn't spare breath for words as she became focused on finding Reinhard. She kept on running, following the silver light as it led her through the Southern District.

Marie saw the bodies rising around while she passed them. People were gasping, crying, embracing each other with relief and disbelief. She dodged around them, never slowing as her eyes locked on the guiding light.

The Central District spread before her and further showed the destruction of Phane City. The collapsed buildings, the streets that were torn apart, and the debris scattered around. But to her slight surprise, the white radiance was repairing everything. It began repairing the structures around, such as reforming the walls, and the glass began to move back onto the windows.

The city was being restored like its people.

Marie leapt over debris that wasn't restored, and then she ran through the white radiance as he started stitching the street back together. She ignored all of that as she continued to follow the silver light as it was leading her north.

Marie approached the Northern District, which displayed even worse destruction. The massive roots still lay across streets, slowly dissolving as the white light consumed them. She saw all the buildings filled with roots were being mended, with the roots fading away.

Then Marie reached the Mehko Research Center, or what remained. The building is split down the middle, the two halves pushed apart by the tree's emergence. The black roots that once covered everything were now crumbling and turning to ash that the wind carried away.

The streak of silver light moved over here and through the rubble.

Before it stopped at a specific location.

Marie followed it down, her feet easily navigating over the broken stones and dissolving roots. She then began climbing through the wreckage, following the light deeper into the ruins, and then she stopped.

As Marie saw Reinhard lying among the rubble. His black and white uniform wasn't torn but fully mended as if he never ran through all of Phane City with it. His black hair spread across shattered stone while his eyes were closed, and his face was peaceful in unconsciousness.

But what surprised Marie was the golden light wrapping around him like a blanket. The light made him look ethereal, beautiful, like something from the stories Anasha had mentioned.

But Marie didn't care much as she rushed across the final distance while screaming. "Reinhard!"

She dropped to her knees beside him before her hands reached out, pulling him from the rubble and into her arms. His head rested against her chest as she cradled him, one hand moving to cup his face.

"I'm glad you're okay, you fool." Marie says softly, and her thumb brushes across his cheek, wiping away dust and dried blood. "You absolute fool."

Reinhard's chest rose and fell steadily beneath her arms while Marie's smile widened as she pulled him closer. She saw the golden light continue its gentle shine around them both. And then the light faded, leading Marie to lean back as she stared at the fading light.

Then she began hearing footsteps approaching, moving quickly through the rubble.

Marie looked to the side.

Beast Masters in golden and black armor navigated the wreckage. Their chestplates bore a symbol of a being clad in resplendent armor, its body shaped from pure light and sacred metal. A faceless, serene helm topped the figure.

Behind it spread two grand wings, each feather glowing like molten sunlight, stretching outward as if to embrace the heavens. The wings shimmered between deep gold and pale white. At the center, the figure held a towering sword extending downward in perfect symmetry, covered in runes and swirling lines that resembled flowing wind and flame entwined.

Marie's eyes slightly widened as she realized the Mori Empire had arrived. Then she saw, to her left, more figures arriving, wearing familiar black and white uniforms with white cloaks flapping behind them. Each cloaking bearing a symbol on the back, a black swirling circle with a golden halo, was held by two intricately carved hands.

Memento Mori Academy.

Both groups rushed around the ruins, helping newly revived citizens to their feet. Voices shouted directions, pointed toward safe paths, and coordinated rescue efforts with practiced efficiency.

One of the Memento Mori figures noticed Marie. The woman stopped, turned fully, and sighed with visible relief.

Marie's eyes widened with recognition.

The woman was extraordinarily beautiful with flowing silvery-lavender hair that caught light and threw it back in soft glows. She wore a black and white gown that somehow remained pristine despite the surrounding destruction.

It was Rosaria with her crimson eyes who was peering at her and holding her gaze. "There over here, Klaus!"

Rosaria's crimson eyes returned to Marie before a slight smile appeared, something between exasperation and fondness.

Marie giggled despite everything, her grin growing as she was still holding Reinhard. Then she heard more footsteps before seeing a man coming next to Rosaria.

He wore a black dress shirt with a chain draped across his chest, paired with tailored black trousers that somehow remained unwrinkled. A cigar rested between his lips, thin wisps of smoke curling upward. His black hair was combed back with two carefully styled strands falling near his eyes. A groomed short beard framed his jaw. A piercing glinted in one ear. His right hand rested atop an ornate walking cane that clicked against stone with each step.

It was her father, Klaus Moriarty.

His light-gold eyes quickly locked onto her before inspecting her and then shifting down to Reinhard in her arms, then back up.

He studied them both for a long moment before a tired, faint smile appeared on his face. "This is only the second mission for the two of you..." His voice carried dry amusement mixed with concern before he took another step closer, cigar smoke trailing. "And look at how it turned out. Are you two perhaps cursed?"

Marie laughed. "Love you too, Dad." She adjusted her grip on Reinhard, making sure he was comfortable. "And well, I can't lie… It was a blast!"

Klaus's smile widened as he shook his head, taking the cigar from his lips and exhaling smoke that the wind carried away. "A blast. She calls the summoning of a Beast Spirit from the Throne of Myth that nearly ended the city, a blast.'" He looked at Rosaria. "Did I raise her like this? Is this my fault?"

Rosaria nodded. "Completely your fault, Klaus."

"Thought so." Klaus put away his cigar before gesturing broadly at the ruins. "Well, at least you're both alive. That's more than I expected when we felt Fenrir's presence tear through dimensional barriers."

Marie's grin softened as she said. "We had help, lots of help, and Reinhard..." She paused, searching for words. "Reinhard did something impossible."

"So I gathered." Klaus's gaze moved to the dissolving black roots, to the healing city beyond, to the blue sky that had replaced crimson-black. "The Empire and Academy detected the dimensional breach. We mobilized immediately." He tapped his cane against a stone. "But by the time we arrived, it was already over with things being cleaned up and resurrection happening."

Marie furrowed her brows while Klaus shook his head with a sigh, and then he said. "Alright, let's go."

Klaus appeared next to her before taking Reinhard from her and then turning around. Marie nodded as she stood up before following Klaus and Rosaria out of the ruins.

Around them, Phane City continued restoring itself.

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