"That's a complicated story," Alfie said as he stepped out from behind the house. "But I think I understand some of it."
Marco turned toward him with a tired smile.
"You were there the whole time, huh? Good. Saves me from explaining everything twice."
Margaret stood silently as the wind caught her dress.
"Since things have come this far..." she murmured. "Our peaceful life was shattered so suddenly. I don't have much of a choice anymore."
She looked at Marco.
"I have to trust you."
"I think you should," Rebekah said from the doorway.
Margaret glanced at her.
"My father refused to let us join the Shinra Academy, too. He believed he could protect us himself."
Rebekah lowered her eyes.
"That mistake cost me my entire family. Please, don't let history repeat itself."
Margaret looked down, her heart aching.
"Mama."
Alfie stepped forward, his expression calm.
"I've made my decision, and it's not because of Mr. Shinra."
He looked directly at his mother.
"I'm doing this for you, for Papa, and for Eli and Marcus."
His hands clenched.
"I'm going with him."
He paused before continuing.
"Not to suppress my Renshi, but to master it."
His gaze hardened.
"I'll eliminate every Darkside Spirit in this world."
"There you go again, boy."
Marco folded his arms.
"Getting carried away by your emotions."
Alfie frowned.
"You're closing the connection. That's final. You're not ready to carry the burden of two opposing Renshi."
Marco met his gaze.
"Making grand promises before you've even learned how to control yourself."
Alfie's brow tightened slightly.
Marco looked him up and down.
"Look at you. You can barely control the power inside you, yet you're already talking about eliminating every Darkside Spirit in the world. Do you even hear yourself?"
Alfie said nothing.
"Dual Renshi users need intelligence, discipline, and battle experience. You have two Renshi and a head full of foolish ideas. That's not potential, boy. That's a disaster waiting to happen."
Marco gave him a dismissive wave.
"So do yourself a favor and stop pretending you're ready. You're not even close."
Alfie remained silent.
---
"Thank you, Mr. Shinra," Margaret said softly.
She wiped away her tears.
"For keeping your promise to my husband."
After a brief hesitation, she asked, "What about Falco? Where did you lay him to rest?"
"At the Shinra cemetery," Marco replied. "He rests among heroes now. He earned that place."
Margaret lowered her head.
"Thank you..."
Marco turned toward Alfie.
"Hey, kid. Stop standing there like a statue and go pack your things. We're leaving."
But Alfie didn't move.
The smile had vanished from his face, along with the warmth in his eyes.
"Thank you for honoring my father's promise," he said coldly.
He slipped his hands into his pockets.
"But I'll figure things out on my own."
Turning away, he walked toward the distant cliffside.
Not just for Papa...
But for every innocent life that was taken.
I'll become their vengeance.
Their salvation.
I'll eliminate them all.
Every last Darkside Spirit.
When Alfie reached the cliff, he spread his arms and let the wind wash over him.
The sun shone brightly above the trees, their branches leaning toward the west.
"What a view..."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"Maybe one day, I'll get to see what humans on other planets look like."
"Hey, brat. You really think that was the best way to speak in front of your mother?"
Alfie recognized the voice behind him but didn't turn around.
"I said what I meant, old man."
His voice remained cold.
"I don't care whether you train me or not. I'll figure things out myself."
Marco raised an eyebrow.
"You've got guts. I'll give you that."
He paused.
"But you weren't being mature back there,and you proved me right."
Alfie said nothing.
"You were being selfish. You wanted to sound cool instead of showing respect to your mother and brothers."
Alfie lowered his head but remained silent.
"You won't last twenty-four hours out here with your Renshi leaking like that."
Marco's expression grew serious.
"Don't let that power go to your head. You're still weak."
He turned away.
"If your father's sacrifice meant nothing to you, then go ahead. Throw your life away."
Marco began walking down the hill.
"The choice is yours."
He glanced back at Alfie.
"Come with me, prove your potential, and I'll decide whether you're ready to control your Renshi."
He continued down the hill.
"Or stay here..."
His voice gradually faded.
"...and die alone."
Marco disappeared from view.
Alfie stood motionless, his fists clenched.
What should I do, Papa?
Tears began streaming down his face.
I sounded different for the first time in front of Mama.
Mama must be angry with me...
Then his father's voice echoed through his memories.
"You're my first son. I want you to follow in my footsteps."
Alfie's eyes trembled as memories of his birthday with his father flashed through his mind.
Your footsteps...
He looked toward the sky.
You fought for mankind.
That's my dream, too.
I'll follow you, Papa.
I'll become the light in this world's darkness.
Alfie wiped his tears and slowly turned around.
Then he began walking down from the cliff.
---
Back at the house, Marcus gently tugged at Margaret's clothes.
"Mama..."
He looked worried.
"Is big brother going to be alright? He sounded angry..."
"Don't worry," Elijah said, trying to sound brave. "He just needs some time."
Marco approached them.
"Ma'am, it seems your son isn't changing his mind."
He looked at Margaret.
"I'll take Elijah and Marcus to the academy. You should come with us, too. I'll arrange a home for you in a town not far from the academy."
Margaret shook her head immediately.
"There's no way I'm leaving my son behind."
Her voice trembled.
"I'm sorry."
Before she could react, Marco delivered a swift, controlled blow to the side of her neck.
Margaret collapsed unconscious.
"Mama."
Elijah rushed forward.
"What did you do to her?"
"She's fine," Marco assured him. "She's only asleep. She'll wake up in a few minutes."
Rebekah glanced toward the road.
"How are we supposed to fit everyone on your horse?"
"No problem."
Marco pointed behind the house.
"I found a chariot back there and hooked it to my horse."
He turned to the others.
"We're leaving now."
Everyone climbed into the chariot.
Marcus began to cry.
"Is Mama gonna be okay?"
"She's okay," Elijah said, pulling him into a hug.
"And big brother Alfie?"
Elijah hesitated.
"...He'll be okay."
He tightened his arms around his younger brother.
"He has to be."
As the chariot began moving, Rebekah leaned toward Marco.
"Are you sure this is going to work?"
Her expression was troubled.
"Will he really learn anything from this?"
Marco nodded.
"It's a test."
He glanced back toward the distant cliff.
"One night."
His expression turned serious.
"If he survives, I'll train him to master both of his Renshi."
"And if he doesn't?"
Marco's eyes narrowed.
"Then he'll have no choice but to close the connection."
Earlier that day, Marco had secretly explained his plan to Rebekah.
When a dual Renshi user awakened through darkness, the spirits of pride, anger, lust, and revenge began to cling to them.
To overcome those influences, Alfie had to face himself.
Alone.
Suddenly, Margaret groaned.
Her eyes slowly opened, and she sat upright, looking around in confusion.
"So..."
She turned toward Marco.
"That was your plan?"
Her voice trembled.
"You left my son out there..."
Her eyes widened.
"Alone?"
"I didn't want you to hear about it," Marco replied calmly.
"But yes."
He kept his gaze forward.
"Once I get you and the boys somewhere safe, I'll return and keep watch."
He paused.
"I made Falco a promise. I won't let his son die."
Margaret stared at him.
"How will you know he isn't in danger right now?"
"Darkside Spirits take time to arrive."
Marco looked ahead.
"Trust me."
Margaret lowered her eyes before looking down at her youngest son, who was sleeping peacefully in her arms.
"Our lives changed in just a few days..."
Her voice cracked.
"My ten-year-old son..."
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"He's alone out there."
She hugged Marcus tighter.
"He's only ten years and one week old..."
Her voice broke.
"He's still just a kid..."
"Don't cry, Mama."
Elijah wrapped his arms around her.
"Big brother Alfie is going to be alright."
Margaret held both her sons close as the chariot disappeared into the distance.