Mira gasped.
The Banished had touched her forehead—only for a second—but it was enough.
Something ancient stirred inside her. Something older than her very soul.
On the other side of the realm, Mira stumbled. Her body burned like wildfire blooming beneath her skin.
Lucien caught her. "What happened?"
"I… I don't know," Mira panted. "Something touched me. But not here. Somewhere else."
Elias narrowed his eyes. "You good?"
"I'm not sure."
Then—the Gate opened.
A ripple tore through the Soul Realm. Energy burst outward like a shockwave. Trees bent. Stones cracked. Even Vulkran—the beast of wrath—stepped back.
Elias whispered, "What the hell is going on?"
Far above, the King of the Soul Realm felt it too. His expression shifted from confusion to fear. Without a word, he flew—faster than stormlight—two guards trailing behind as he raced toward the disturbance.
And there, beyond the Gate…
She appeared.
The Great Shaman.
Bathed in golden glyphs.
Eyes glowing with the weight of lifetimes.
Returned from silence.
The King landed hard, cloak dragging across cracked stone. He stared—silent, trembling.
"It was you," the Shaman said, voice calm and absolute. "You, my strongest disciple… the one who locked the gate behind me."
The King dropped to one knee. "Forgive me, Master… I was young. Foolish. I did it not out of revenge—but fear. After centuries trapped in this realm… I see it now. If you wish, I offer my life to atone."
She looked past him—to Mira, Lucien, and Elias.
"You three," she said. "You've done well. She is safe now. You may go."
Elias opened his mouth to speak—
She raised a hand.
"I know what you wish to ask. She cannot return yet. The laws of this realm must remain unbroken."
Then she stepped forward and held out a pendant—silver, etched in ancient glyphs.
"Take this," she said to Elias. "When she returns… give it to her. It will shield her from the Soul Reapers—until her true time comes."
A new doorway formed—pure light spiraling open like dawn cutting through shadow.
"You may go now," the Shaman said softly. "The way is open."
But just before they stepped through, she turned to Mira.
"Your memories," she whispered. "They are not lost… only stolen."
"Seek them where light and darkness meet. Only then will you remember what you were born to do."
Lucien stood frozen, staring at the Shaman.
She had believed her master had forgotten her.
But as the doorway shimmered before them, the Shaman turned to her—and smiled.
"We will meet again, dear disciple."
The sky above wasn't glowing anymore.
No glyphs. No lightning. Just clouds. Gray and real.
The portal behind them shimmered once—then vanished. Gone like a dream too wild to remember.
Lucien stepped out first, dragging her boots across the dirt. The wind hit her face. Real wind. Cold. Earthy. Alive.
Then Mira.
Then Elias.
They were back.
Waiting for them—shocked and battle-worn—stood Krane, Dave, Jonas… and Evelyn, still gripping a knife she clearly didn't need anymore.
Krane was the first to speak. "You guys look like you fought God."
Lucien didn't even blink. "Close."
Evelyn rushed to Mira, scanning her like a mother checking for bruises. "Are you okay? What happened?"
Mira hesitated. "I… I don't know how to explain it. But I'm me. I think."
Jonas leaned against the doorframe. "That's… comforting."
Dave crossed his arms. "Told you she'd make it back."
Krane grunted. "Still don't trust that shimmer-portal magic crap."
Lucien collapsed onto a bench like her body finally gave up. "Same. But it's over—for now."
Elias tossed a pendant to Dave. "Hold onto that. Just in case someone tries to eat our souls again."
Dave blinked. "Why me?"
"Just. Hold it."
Mira looked around at everyone… then down at her hands. No glow. Just a faint shake.
"We've got answers to find," she whispered.
Lucien nodded. "And memories."
Jonas clapped once. "Cool. But first—anyone want a drink? Maybe some non-cursed snacks?"
They actually laughed.
Tired. Frayed. Half-broken.
But still alive.
The group was finally settled—as much as you can be after surviving the spirit realm and returning with half your soul.
Jonas opened the fridge. "I don't care if it's juice, beer, or haunted water—someone's drinking something."
But before anyone could toast to survival, Mira's eyes narrowed.
She pointed. "Wait… since when do we have him?"
All eyes turned to Krane—standing silently like a shadow in the corner.
Lucien squinted. "Yeah. Who are you?"
Jonas smirked, about to drop a punchline—but Krane cut in, voice low.
"I'm a friend of your father."
Lucien froze.
Then her face shifted—jaw tightening.
Her mother's last words echoed: Find him.
"You know where he is?" she asked.
Krane nodded. "We'll find him. After all this is done."
Lucien scoffed. "Good. I've got a few fists saved for him."
Jonas raised both hands. "Whoa, whoa. Can we not jump straight back into trauma? We saved Mira. Saved Lucien. World's not ending. Feels like a win."
Elias leaned back, rubbing his eyes. "We're not done. That book—The Cipher—it's still active. We've barely scratched the surface."
Jonas groaned. "Bro. Can we pretend to be retired for five minutes?"
Then he grinned. "One drink. Before the next cursed nightmare."
Dave chuckled from the couch. "Finally, something I agree with."
Mira tossed him a bottle. "One drink."
Lucien muttered, "And if that book twitches—we burn the whole damn house down."
They laughed.
The kind of laugh that only comes after a storm.
Still soaked. Still standing.
But alive.
At least… for now.