Erold and Luce stood in a majestic silence, the mist from the falling waterfall dampening their clothes and brushing their faces with a cold touch. Luce broke the silence with a calm voice: "Are you ready for tomorrow, Erold?"
Erold turned toward him. "Yes, I am. How do you feel, being so close to your goal, Luce?"
Luce replied with a faint smile, "I am excited. But a question haunts me... will we part ways after we return from the Jinn world?"
Erold wondered and said with forced cheerfulness, "Why do you say that? Of course we will stay together."
Luce looked at him with a disappointed face. "Then who will you leave Jasmin to, Erold?"
A heavy silence followed, broken only by the falling water. Erold whispered in a choked voice, "So... you knew the price."
"Of course I knew," Luce said bitterly. "To separate the worlds as a human, you must sacrifice yourself."
Erold smiled painfully and looked at Luce. "That's why you're here, guys. You are her family now. Look at her... she is brave, smart, and with you all, she will become even better."
Luce said sadly, "What about you, Erold? Do you think she won't be in pain?"
Erold replied, his eyes shining with suppressed tears, "She might lose a brother, but this brother sacrificed himself for the sake of this world. In time, she will understand."
"Is that why you don't talk to her much?" Luce asked in a muffled voice. "Trying to make her get used to your absence? Fearing she'll get more attached and then shatter when you depart?"
Erold averted his gaze toward the bottom of the waterfall. "You're right. I know I might be the bad guy here, but I don't want her to grieve for me more than she did for her father."
Luce looked at Erold in wonder. Erold looked back with a torn voice: "This is my destiny, Luce. I can no longer change it."
Luce couldn't contain himself; he rushed forward and hugged Erold tightly. Surprised, Erold said, "What's happened to you, Luce? Have you become sensitive?"
Luce replied, his voice thick with tears, "We will miss you, my friend... no, my brother."
Erold smiled, patting Luce's back. "Don't make it harder for me, Luce... please."
Luce wiped his face and tried to smile. "You idiot! Then let's go to the celebration!"
Erold nodded. "You go ahead, I'll join you in a moment." Luce headed to the cave entrance to exit.
Erold gripped the stones of the gateway, muttering: "Many were killed because of the Jinn, and many will be. What I am doing is right."
Arthur's voice emerged from within in support: "We know you're right. All the world's problems stem from the Jinn."
Erold: "I agree with you, Arthur, but as Luce said, there are kind Jinn."
Arthur replied in annoyance, "I don't care about their kindness. What matters to me is that this ends."
Erold smiled and asked, "What about you, Dante?"
The reply came deep and cold from Dante: "Get out of my face."
Arthur laughed at Dante's reaction. "Come on, Erold, isn't it time to celebrate?"
Erold, annoyed because of Dante, said, "You're right." He took the Eye of Mystery from the cave, and the stone crack closed behind him as he headed to the celebration.
Upon his arrival, Erold was shocked by the magnitude of the transformation. The quiet village had become a pulse of overwhelming joy and music. It wasn't just a gathering; it was a true festival of farewell. The edges of the wooden houses were decorated with colored paper lanterns that lit the way with warm hues, casting dancing shadows on the sand. On the pier, wooden pillars were erected, decorated with wreaths of sea flowers and wild lemon.
In the center stood a massive table covered in white linen. The food was delicious and abundant:
Fresh fish grilled over a low fire, its aroma mixing with wild herbs.Hot loaves of bread baked in clay ovens, served with honey.Massive baskets of sliced tropical fruit.
Children ran and laughed around the palms, while the village Elders played simple rhythmic tunes on drums made of fish skin and wooden wind instruments. The atmosphere was enveloped in a sense of warmth and gratitude; the celebration wasn't just for the heroes, but for life itself before the time of departure arrived.
Erold stepped forward in daze: "My God! What is all this?"
He found Argus and Jasmin devouring grilled fish greedily. Jasmin shouted, "Eat, Erold, before the food runs out! Argus ate four fish by himself and is now finishing the fifth!"
Erold smiled. "I'll eat, don't worry... but where is Luce?" She pointed to Luce, who was standing by the grape juice.
Erold approached Luce and whispered gratefully, "Thank you for not telling them." Luce shook his cup and replied quietly, "Don't worry, I won't tell them anything you don't want to say. But Erold, if you are serious about separating the worlds, you must achieve two conditions, each as difficult as the other."
Erold asked calmly, "What are they?"
Luce replied: "You must head to the center of the Jinn world; the gate will be there."
"And where is this center?" Erold wondered.
Luce replied: "It is in one of the greatest kingdoms in the Jinn world, called Yursha."
Shock overcame Erold's face as Karl's words echoed in his mind. Luce wondered, "Is something wrong?"
Erold replied calmly, "No, no. What is the other thing?"
Luce answered: "The second thing, and the most difficult, is defeating Ashura or separating him from the entity of Destruction."
Erold became annoyed: "Damn! What does Ashura have to do with this?"
Luce answered quietly: "Ashura is considered the 'Center' of the entity. This center makes the barrier stronger. If we defeat Ashura or the Destruction is separated from him, the barrier will weaken, and the doors leading to the separation point will open."
Erold's eyes widened in shock, then he smiled bitterly. "And I was naive! I was going to ask the Jinn there for a way to separate the worlds!"
Luce was astonished. "Are you truly this naive, Erold? Did you not carry any plan? Did you not know this information or even rumors?"
Erold laughed deeply. "No, but I have you guys! You are the ones who will guide me."
Luce shook his head and laughed from his heart. "What a strange one you are, Erold... truly strange."
Meanwhile, Rebecca and Amalia were looking at Erold from a distance. Rebecca was pushing the hesitant Amalia: "Go on, he's there."
Amalia said nervously, "No, I can't!" Rebecca hit her on the head. "Go on, move!"
Amalia took courage and stepped toward Erold. Luce suddenly withdrew, saying, "I'm going. You have guests, Erold."
Erold turned with a confident smile and said with a tone of familiarity: "I expected you to come.... Astra!"
He turned to find Astra. Breaths hitched, and the villagers gasped in daze at the sight of her. Astra stood calmly, wearing a dress of deep crimson fabric the color of wine, draped around her body like a silent wave. The dress was not just clothing, but a manifestation of cosmic magic; every detail of her face was escalated to the point of perfection.
Her golden eyes shone as if carved from cold stars, and her clear white skin didn't just reflect light, but radiated it. Her beauty was terrifying and abstract; pure magic that human logic could not understand or resist.
Amalia stopped in the middle of the festival in shock. Rebecca asked, "Why did you stop?"
She saw Erold holding Astra's hand gently and greeting her boastfully: "Is this how they greet you, Lady of Stars?"
Astra laughed a sweet ring: "No, stop the nonsense."
Erold pulled her along with quick steps. "Come, I want to introduce you to someone." She cried out as she tried to match his steps: "Slow down, I'll fall, Erold!"
He approached Amalia. Amalia grew nervous and thought: Why is he approaching me?
Erold passed right by Amalia without blinking, as if she were never there. He shouted: "Gilgamesh, stop."
Rebecca moved to hold Amalia and said sympathetically: "No matter, girl, you tried."
Amalia muttered angrily: "Why is he holding her hand? And who is this ugly woman?"
Rebecca replied spontaneously and in shock: "I don't know! Don't worry, I'll find out who that beauty is..." then she noticed Amalia's anger and added sheepishly: "Sorry.."
Erold approached Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh said, "What do you want?"
Erold said joyfully, "I want to introduce you to someone special to me."
Astra appeared from behind him. Gilgamesh straightened his posture, shock written on his face: "Lady of Stars!"
Erold wondered, "Am I the only one who didn't know who you were?"
Astra laughed: "No, they are just informed by some royal books that record my existence."
Gilgamesh raised his fist in the air, greeting her solemnly: "Lady of Stars, it is an honor to see you."
She replied gently: "The honor is mine, O revered Prince Gilgamesh."
Erold grumbled, "Revered Prince? What is the problem with your titles, Gilgamesh?" Gilgamesh replied in annoyance, "It's a long story."
Gilgamesh was silent for a moment, then asked with decisive seriousness: "Lady of Stars, will you grant me a question?"
Astra: "If I know the answer, I will answer you."
Gilgamesh said firmly: "You know what I am searching for..... will I find it in the Jinn world, or will I return to the human world without any change?"
Astra looked at him in surprise: "Are you sure I was looking at your path, Gilgamesh?"
Gilgamesh said confidently: "And what makes me think otherwise, Lady of Stars?"
Astra said quietly: "You're right, I was. And my answer to your question is: Yes and no, but not literally."
Gilgamesh said eagerly: "Will I break this curse?"
Astra replied calmly: "One question, Gilgamesh! But you will achieve your desire in a different way."
On the other side, Rebecca headed toward Argus, who was eating fish madly. She tried to flatter him: "Hello, Argus." He ignored her and continued eating, until Jasmin shouted, "Argus! Someone is calling you!" He ignored her. Jasmin shouted: "Stop eating, you bastard! There's a girl calling you!"
He stopped and turned, finding Rebecca. Argus said lazily: "Hello, Rebecca. Do you want some fish?"
Rebecca said in shock: "No, thank you. I want to ask you something, if I may."
Argus: "Go ahead, what is it?"
"Do you know who that girl next to Erold is?"
Argus turned and said, "Yes, that's Astra."
Jasmin turned joyfully and said, "Is Astra here?" She stopped eating and ran toward Astra.
Rebecca asked curiously: "Who is this Astra?"
Argus said (while eating with incomprehensible words): "She... is the... La... dy of the... Sta... rs, As... tra."
Rebecca got angry: "Stop eating and speak clearly!" Argus swallowed his bite and said: "She is the Lady of Stars, Astra, one of the Entities."
Rebecca laughed mockingly: "Stop exaggerating! She's beautiful, but don't over-describe her! Lady of the Stars?"
Argus looked at her seriously. "I'm not joking; she truly is the Lady of the Stars. And to be honest with you.. I envy that bastard Erold. I don't know why she's so fond of him like this!"
Rebecca's eyes widened in total shock: "Fond of him?"
Meanwhile, Jasmin ran toward Astra shouting enthusiastically: "Astraaaa!" Before Astra realized what was happening, Jasmin had thrown herself into her embrace with hands stained with grilled fish remains, shouting: "I missed you, Astra!"
Astra replied with feigned coldness: "I didn't miss you, girl." Jasmin was shocked. But Astra continued with a smile: "Because I was seeing you every day." Jasmin raised her eyebrows and whispered mischievously: "Watching me, or Erold?" Astra tapped Jasmin's forehead with her finger. "You, little one." Jasmin winced in pain.
At that very moment, the music shifted, becoming louder and more exhilarating, as Arthur emerged from Erold's body and shouted, "How I love this music!"
Erold smirked and said sarcastically, "What are you going to do with that tiny body of yours? Are you going to sway to the beat?!"
Arthur glared at him with annoyance, then smiled and said, "Damn you, man!"
Astra snapped her fingers, and Arthur's body began to materialize into its natural size, leaving both Erold and Gilgamesh in utter amazement. Stunned by what had just happened to him, Arthur didn't waste a single moment; he offered a thrilled grin and shouted, "This is heaven's justice, you bastard!"
While Erold stood shocked, Arthur began to groove to the music with wild enthusiasm, spinning and dancing around Erold's body in perfect, fluid harmony. Swaying his body, he stopped right in front of the bewildered Erold, leaped mid-dance, pointed at him, and cried, "Come on, Erold, let's dance!" Erold laughed, "What on earth happened to you? And where did all this energy come from?!"
Jasmine asked in confusion, "What is wrong with you guys? Is Arthur outside of your body?" Erold replied with a sigh of annoyance, "Yes, and he is dancing." Jasmine snapped angrily, "Why can't I see him?!"
Astra watched Arthur, laughing, while Gilgamesh fought hard to suppress a smile, sternly telling himself inside: "Don't you dare laugh... Don't you dare." Argus stopped eating and turned around to see Arthur dancing. Shocked at first, a quick grin spread across his face as he said, "This little guy is actually quite talented!"
Arthur kept on dancing, so Erold approached him and said, "Come on, Arthur, stop."
Arthur didn't listen; instead, with wild enthusiasm, he dashed at full speed toward Erold and plunged back into his body, causing Erold to collapse instantly onto the ground. Everyone around him froze. They couldn't see Arthur, so to them, Erold had just dropped out of nowhere. Jasmine asked in utter confusion and worry, "What happened to him?!"
Astra said, trying to hold back her laughter, 'Arthur... has gone back inside.' Suddenly, Erold snapped his eyes open, but they were completely white—announcing that Arthur was now the one in control! To everyone's astonishment, he leaped off the ground and instantly began to dance and laugh. Out of nowhere, he swept Jasmine up into his arms, spinning her around as she laughed along. Setting her back on the ground, he turned to Astra, offered a smirk, and said, "I will do you a favor, you little shit."
While Arthur was swaying to the beat, he glided toward Astra and pulled her in to dance, leaving her in utter amazement. As he spun around her with wild enthusiasm while she laughed, Arthur muttered internally, "Control is yours again, Erold... don't you dare waste this chance." Suddenly back in control, Erold found himself standing face-to-face with Astra. He offered a warm smile and said, "Well... I suppose we shall continue this amusement then."
The entire village was smiling at Erold's antics, as he was now dancing rather clumsily, a stark contrast to how he had been moving just moments before. Astra was practically falling over from laughing so hard, while he simply smiled, kept on dancing, and asked, 'Am I really that bad?' Still laughing, she managed to say, "No... no, it's just that I never expected this from you!" He smirked and replied, "And you never will."
He pulled her in once more to dance with him, but this time, his steps were flawless. He spun her around in perfect harmony as they both laughed, until the music finally came to an end, drawing passionate applause from the crowd. As Erold and Astra caught their breath, she whispered to him, "You've become quite skilled, Erold." Panting, he replied, "I was merely following the beat."
Rebecca rushed toward Amalia, who was still in shock from what had just happened, and whispered to her, "I found out who she is!" Amalia looked at Astra angrily: "Who is that cursed woman?" Rebecca said hesitantly: "She is the Lady of Stars, Astra." Amalia wondered, "What do you mean by that?" Rebecca: "Yes, she is an Entity."
At that moment, Astra turned and looked at them out of the corner of her eye; a cold look that sent terror through Amalia's body. Suddenly, Astra raised her head toward the sky. Her features changed and she said: "Impossible... it is rare for this to happen!"
Everyone stopped and asked as one: "What? What is it?"
Astra shouted: "The moon is full!"
Gilgamesh was stunned and replied in daze: "Impossible! The moon is supposed to be full tomorrow! I saw it just a while ago." He raised his head to the sky to see the moon fully completed. Jasmin shouted: "Is this the time?"
Astra shouted with a decisive command: "You must move now! Quickly before time runs out!"
Gilgamesh did not hesitate; he grabbed Jasmin and shouted: "Erold! Bring Luce and Argus quickly!" Gilgamesh moved quickly toward the location of the gate with Jasmin.
Erold looked at Astra and said, "Astra!" She told him: "Go quickly before time runs out!"
Erold rushed toward Argus and shouted: "Come on! The gate is about to open now!" Argus said in daze: "Isn't it tomorrow?" Erold shouted: "No, now! Head to the gate location now!"
Richard came in panic: "What's wrong, Erold?"
Erold said quickly: "The gate is opening now! Where is Luce, Richard?"
Richard said tensely: "He's in the bathroom! You go, I'll tell him." Erold ran quickly and said: "Thank you!"
Argus wrapped his and Erold's feet in wind, saying, "We'll get there faster this way!" With extreme speed, Erold and Argus headed to the mountain.
Meanwhile, Richard reached the bathroom of the guest house and knocked hard on the door: "Luce! The gate opened! You must move!"
There was no answer. He waited seconds, then pushed the door open forcefully... but the bathroom was empty. He searched the house and the surrounding area, but found no trace of Luce.