The soft winds carried the scent of cherry blossoms as Jin stepped into the Lake of Prosperity, its radiant waters glowing with eternal peace. The sanctuary shimmered with divine light, rivers flowing like strands of silk, petals dancing in the air like faded memories.
This was The Blooming Sanctuary of Renewal—a place untouched by war, sorrow, or blood. A haven for rebirth.
Suddenly, voices echoed around him—familiar and warm.
"It's time for our goodbye," said Nihilith gently.
"Your journey ends here," Xir'vanta added, his tone laced with a soft sorrow.
Yggdrasil's ancient voice trembled. "And a new one begins."
Jin laughed softly, a rare sound free from burden. "Then… can I ask something?"
The three voices hesitated.
"If it's a favor," Yggdrasil said cautiously, "we will not answer."
Jin shook his head. "No. It's not a favor."
Nihilith chuckled. "Then ask as many questions as you want, old friend. After all, this is our final goodbye."
Yggdrasil's voice carried a smile. "Thank you. For everything. The World Spiral Tree is safe now. Because of you."
Jin closed his eyes for a moment, taking in the quiet breeze.
"Believe in Bellon," he said. "He will protect it."
They nodded silently.
"What is it you wish to ask?" Xir'vanta asked at last.
Jin turned his eyes to the horizon. "I want to go where Eleanor is."
There was a pause.
"She rests on the Nostalgic Planet," the lake answered softly.
"And when you're reborn?" asked Yggdrasil. "What will you do?"
Jin paused. A memory stirred.
Under a starlit sky, Lia and Velka lay beside him, their heads resting on his shoulders. They whispered promises to see shooting stars together once the war was over.
Back in the present, Jin smiled faintly.
"I want to live again," he said. "I want to grow up with my parents. Then, no matter how far, I'll find Eleanor. Even if her memories fade, I'll restore them. We'll watch shooting stars together in a place untouched by swords, betrayal, or death. A place of peace. I want a life where blood isn't on my hands… where corpses don't pave my path. Just friendship… and love."
He stepped into the lake.
Closing his eyes, he whispered, "I'll come soon."
Light gathered around him, wrapping his body. He reached toward it—toward rebirth.
But then—a monstrous hand tore through the light, seizing him and dragging him into an abyss.
"Ah—!" Jin gasped.
The radiant lake dimmed. Its beauty withered. Petals fell lifeless. The skies darkened.
Nihilith, Yggdrasil, and Xir'vanta appeared, horror in their eyes.
"This… this isn't supposed to happen!" Nihilith cried. "The lake… it rejects him?"
"But why?" Xir'vanta demanded. "Why deny his rebirth?"
The lake's voice trembled. "Because a great danger looms…"
"What danger?" Yggdrasil demanded.
The lake answered, "Duskhavan had a brother. A being of even greater malice. He has waited in the shadows… waited for Jin's rebirth. If Jin returns to the cycle, his brother will awaken… and destroy everything."
Silence fell.
Xir'vanta asked, "Is there a way to stop this?"
The lake replied, "There is. I can only erase Jin from his brother's memory. But… the cost is steep. Jin must lose all of his own memories. This is the Power of Balance Fate."
Yggdrasil roared. "Unacceptable! He has fought so hard to reach this peace!"
"There must be another way," Xir'vanta pleaded.
The lake said nothing. Her silence was answer enough.
Then, Jin stepped forward. "I accept."
"No!" Xir'vanta stepped in front of him. "Jin, you've bled, suffered, endured. You earned peace. What's the point of all that, if you lose yourself?"
Nihilith's voice cracked. "And the promises? The stars… the peace?"
Jin smiled. "I'm glad you care. But when I killed Duskhavan… I already accepted that peace might never be mine. I never fought for dreams—I fought for the world. If I lose my memories… that's fine. I'm not losing myself. Even if I forget who I was, the soul that wanted peace will remain."
They fell silent, the winds still.
Jin turned to the lake. "Begin."
Golden light bloomed. Water rose around him, gentle as a cradle. His body lifted, floating within the sanctum.
He whispered, "If I'm reborn… we may not recognize each other. But someday… I believe we'll meet again."
The lake shimmered.
Jin's body dissolved into radiant golden light—then vanished.
And the lake of prosperity fell still.