Pierre and Giro soon made it to their home. "Mommy, look! Daddy is back—and Grandpa too!" said a little girl as she looked out the window. "Alright, calm down Minoa. I'm as happy as you are," said the woman. She opened the door, and Minoa quickly ran to her dad—but paused when she noticed he was carrying someone. After hugging her dad, she ran to her grandpa.
"Did you miss me, my little Minoa? Don't worry, Grandpa's back. And your daddy as well," said Giro warmly.
The woman at the door was Master Izumi. As she smiled at the scene, her expression changed the moment she saw who Pierre was carrying. She rushed forward. "Honey, give him to me quickly or it will be too late."
Pierre gently handed Hide's body to Izumi, who laid him down in a bed. Pierre, watching closely, asked, "Do you know who he is?"
"Yes," said Izumi, her expression heavy. "He's the student I trained for two years. And if I don't stop the corruption, he may not survive."
"Corruption?" Pierre echoed.
Izumi removed Hide's shirt and mask, revealing dark veins and markings crawling up his left arm and creeping toward his eye.
"If he can't resist it, the corruption will consume him," she said. "It's the cost of overexerting his power—especially while bearing the God's Eye."
Later, Pierre and Izumi talked alone. He asked why she never told him about Hide. She explained it was Hide's wish to keep it a secret.
"Legend says those who bear the God's Eye are vulnerable to corruption," Izumi said. "I saw it once before—when he passed out during training. I researched it, and warned him. But he kept using his power."
Pierre quietly admitted, "He beat me in battle, using my own abilities against me."
Izumi smiled faintly. "He holds back more than you think."
That evening, as everyone slept, Hide remained unconscious. Kain, Pierre and Izumi's son—and someone who'd once been held captive with Hide—sat beside him.
"Hey Hide… I didn't expect to see you again. I'm glad my parents found you. I wish I could've saved you back then," Kain whispered. He stayed a while longer, then left.
Within his mind, Hide was lost in darkness. He saw his younger self—crying before a burning manor.
"You could've saved them," the child said, blaming him for not using his power to save their parents.
Hide remained silent at first, burdened by guilt as corruption twisted around him. But then, he spoke.
"I could've saved them. But if I did, I wouldn't be here now. I wouldn't have met the people I care about. I can't undo the past, but I can live a life they'd be proud of."
He smiled at his younger self. "Even if the world's cruel… it's still beautiful. I may be a half-fiend, but I'm still human. What makes us human is our emotion—and our choices."
The corruption slowed. The younger Hide faded. Hide was left alone, softly humming a lullaby.
The next day, Izumi sat beside Hide as he slowly woke.
"Master… where am I?" he asked groggily.
"My husband brought you here. You've been resting here," she said gently.
Hide looked at the corruption crawling over his arm. "I'm sorry. I used too much of my power."
Izumi smiled sadly. "You tried to do what was right. That's enough."
Just then, Pierre entered with food. "Eat, Hide. You'll need your strength."
Hide blinked. "Wait… you're her husband?"
Pierre chuckled. "Surprised?"
Izumi laughed, "He rescued me once. That's how we met. Now hush."
As they caught up, Hide shared what had happened—about Charlotte, and being hunted. Izumi listened quietly.
Later, Hide stepped outside for air. The house stood atop a quiet hill, far from the chaos of the world.
At a nearby swing set, a little girl approached him. "Mister, why are you sitting there all serious?"
Hide turned. "Just needed fresh air."
The girl blinked at his left eye and arm. "Why is it dark?"
"Something I was born with," he lied gently.
"What's your name?"
"Hide."
She beamed. "I'm Minoa. My mom is Izumi, and my dad is Pierre!"
Hide smiled. "Then you're a very lucky girl."
"Hide, will you get me a cute toy on your next adventure?"
Hide nodded. "Close your eyes."
When Minoa opened them, a plush toy sat in her hands. She hugged it tightly and ran inside.
Pierre approached quietly. "You made her day."
"Thanks, Pierre."
"Don't mention it. You need rest—and support. You've been alone too long. Kain remembered you, by the way. We didn't know you were there when we rescued him."
Hide nodded. "He shouldn't feel guilty."
That night, at dinner, Hide sat apart from the family. Watching them, he wondered when was the last time he felt something like this.
He ate very little and left early. Outside, the stars glimmered above. Izumi joined him.
"I won't disturb your family for longer so don't worry about it that much Master." said Hide
"You're part of my family too, Hide," she said, hugging him from behind.
Hide cried softly.
Later, in his room, Hide stared at his hands—one still corrupted. He thought to himself:
"I look like a monster. And I don't know how long I can keep the corruption from spreading… but I'll keep trying."