SSS-Ranked Evolution: Worlds Unbound-Chapter 42: The Journey Is Over.

"Huh, where am I? Is this the afterlife? Am I dead...again?"

Ren opened his eyes to a very bright light, darkness was the last thing he saw after The Reaper was defeated, and it was only normal to ask if he was even still alive. But if he was dead? Was he in the paradise of this world and if not, wouldn’t he see that goddess again?

So many questions plagued his mind but one thing he was sure of was that he was not in hell. After the heroic feat, no one would send him to eternal damnation, even if he wasn’t a believer.

Slowly, control over his body returned and he was able to stand upright. His legs ached, and so did he side, but he moved. What about Von and Luna? Where was everyone? His eyes connected to a beautiful landscape, rich with flowering plants and different kinds of ornamentals. He could also see the calming sea that situated itself not too far, the breeze was a testament of calm and a reward for the battle he just faced.

"Yep, I’m dead again." Ren was convinced and a little pissed because he thought he would be a bit older in his new life before he died again. Was he cursed to always die as a teenager? His brooding thoughts vanished when he noticed a familiar figure, someone he thought he would never see again, "Dalia!" he called out to her, pushing his legs into motion, hoping it would get her attention to hear him running towards her.

She did, turning back, she wore a surprised yet peaceful emotion, and soon it turned to gladness. She, too, closed the gap that was between them, sending her body flying into his. Laughter escaped her lips in pure joy as he pulled back to look into his eyes. Tears had formed in them, and truly she was happy to see her friend again, until realization struck her, "you shouldn’t be here." her expression saddened, confusing him.

"What do you mean?" he was dead, of course he was supposed to be there. Or maybe she didn’t want him to?

"Your journey isn’t over. The others need you, to free them from the darkness." she spoke in hushed tones, her claws gently going around his face, "you are a hero, a fulfilment of prophecy, this world has not earned you yet."

"But don’t you want me to stay?" The feeling of attachment gripped his heart as he remembered the reverend he had to fight. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"I want you to...but my queen needs you." a gentle way of saying goodbye as the world around him began to warp.

"Dalia! Wait!" he desperately tried to reach for her, but he was being sucked into an unknown void, one he was powerless against.

"Go Great Warrior! Free the land of The Darkness that plagues it! The order of light is forever with you!" that was the last thing he heard her say before she faded into darkness. Ren was pulled back into reality and the first thing he felt was pain. So much pain. He groaned as a response before voices became audible. They were mumbled together, different kinds.

"He is responding well. He should be fully awake in a few days." He so desperately wanted to say something, but he was too weak. So he didn’t. He surrendered to the pain and fell into unconsciousness once again.

Days had passed, and he finally had the strength to open his eyes. Upon allowing light into the receptors, he could make off the ceiling of a massive room, a chandelier just above his head, illuminating the space. He let out another groan and as a response, he heard a low howl. He knew that howl. His eyes shot open wider, then darting before meeting a corner to see Luna who had just stood to her feet, almost jumping towards him.

"Luna!" he was happy to see her, she muzzled her head around his hand, licking him gently before allowing him to give her head rubs, "I’m sorry I scared you." he knew he did, he knew she had been waiting for him to wake up. His eyes returned to the corner to see a plate of meat that was meant for her, it had been untouched and so was the bowl of water that was just beside it. He turned his attention back to her to see that she was clean, her fur was no longer covered in blood and her bruises were less. She let out another howl, only to stand on her hind legs, hovering around him to lick his face, "girl!"

Ren laughed because it was ticklish, and he had no strength to push her massive head away. Her howls became louder and soon, the door to his resting space was opened. His eyes met with Von who was not wearing much. He had some loose pants on and the rest of his body was bandaged. That was when Ren realized that he was also bandaged.

"Friend! You are awake?" his eyes held astonishment and relief as he closed the distance between them, Luna giving way for him to get close. Upon seeing Ren at a closer angle, he let out the breath he had unknowingly been holding, "I am so glad you are alive." it came from the depths of his heart and Ren managed to give him a small smile, "how is your body? Are you feeling better? I will call Elisa." he was about to leave when Ren’s fingers clamped against his wrist. Von was frozen in place, Ren using him to sit up straight, resting his back against the headboard.

"Thank you." Though he was in pain, he still let Von know he was grateful.

"I should be the one thanking you. My people are no longer troubled. We can rebuild in peace..." Von sat on his bed beside him, his eyes flashed so many emotions at a high intensity, "when you first came to Karnak, I attacked you, you could have killed me, but you didn’t. You share a connection with the beasts, and you fight for them, they love you and risk their lives for you..." his eyes went to Luna who was now scarfing down the meat in the corner. Von had a small smile on his face, happy she was now eating because she refused to eat until Ren woke up.

"It is because of what I am. But I earned their trust and their love. Humans and beasts can live in harmony, but our lust for power would not allow us to." His words stole Von’s attention. He looked deep into his eyes, experiencing a feeling of déjà vu.

"My brother...he believed so too...that humans and beasts could be family..." he trailed off, fighting the urge to ask Ren if he knew his brother, but it would be too much on him since he was just trying to recover, "you are a noble, a good man, whenever you need me, i and my people will be here for you." Von pledged his loyalty to Ren with a short head bow, and it was able to bring a smile to his face.

"Ren Kobayashi. Friend." he stretched out his hand for Von and Von looking at it, he slowly took it and shook it firmly.

"Von Kyrell. Friend." It was refreshing to see the beauty of a bond forged in sweat and blood. Von eventually left Ren to rest, Luna fell asleep in her corner and after what seemed to be an hour or two, Elisa came in with bowls and bottles. Ren was almost asleep when her movement woke him up. Coming closer to him, she let out a small smile, happy that he was responding to treatment.

"Your wounds..." she pointed to them and with a nod, Ren allowed her to nurse him. She was quiet all while she did, she only had a small smile on her face that was barely noticeable. It was when she was reaching his torso that she spoke, "you will leave Karnak after you heal." it wasn’t a question, she already knew.

"Yes." Ren responded, allowing the medicine to work in his body.

"Everyone has taken a liking to you. Everyone will miss you. Even Von, he will miss you the most." The smile grew wider as she placed a bottle back on the tray she brought it with. She looked at Ren for a moment before placing her hands on his chest, allowing healing energy to seep into it. For a while, her eyes glowed a bright green, engulfing her pupil in an eerie sense. She could still see, she was becoming who she really was.

That was healing magic, and it was working fast as Ren started to feel a lot stronger almost immediately.

"You are a mage." it was not a question, he already knew, it was clear.

"I awakened, three years ago. The empire came for me, they burned my parents when they refused to give me over. When the earthquake happened, I truly lost everything. But Von was there to lift our spirits, he quickly became our hero. My hero." her eyes softened, and slowly, her pupils became visible as the green light dissipated, "the monsters no longer attack us, we will rebuild. Von would be at ease now. I hope he has more time for me." She spoke the thoughts in her heart, letting Ren know that she liked Von a lot and wanted him to spend more time with her.

"He will." he reassured her. It made her smile before she left his room, allowing him to rest. Ren took in everything that had happened, and realization dawned on him. He had to return to Reina. And give her the good news. He wasn’t dead and the land was restored. He felt the urge to move immediately but then sighed, "what’s the rush?" he laid back in bed with a small smile, knowing he would rest easy too now that the land was freed from the corruption.

Days had passed and Ren was up and running. Going down the large staircase, he could see developments in the shelter the people inhabited. The walls were being fixed, and the curtains had also been changed. There were more flowers around. What caught his eyes the most were the kids playing hide and seek with Luna. wasn’t a fair fight since she could easily sniff them out. And it wasn’t really tipped in her favour since she was so huge now. It brought a smile to his face, it pained him that he had to leave, some part of him wanted to stay and help the people become who they were before.

They had given him new clothes and an extra set to take with him. It consisted of a loose tunic and some loose pants, primarily black with stripes of yellow, "Luna! Come here." Ren had packed his belongings and the people knew he was leaving, but they couldn’t stop him. One of the kids ran up to him and presented him with a flower she had knitted from wool they had. A smile crept to his lips and he bent down to embrace her, just before the other kids swarmed over, covering him.

Not a word was said and Ren found his way out of the inn with Luna by his side, just as he made it to the gate, his eye caught sight of someone on the fence. All dressed in black, before he could say a word, the figure landed a flip perfectly and closed in on him. Seeing those purple eyes, he knew it was his friend.

"You leave already?" his hand moved to his mask, taking it off, allowing him to see his face clearly and the pained smile he had on.

"I will be back in a few days. Take care of yourself, friend." Ren embraced him and in a few breaths, Von embraced him back.

"You too Ren." he stopped away from him, allowing him to pass, and the moment Ren stepped outside the broken gate his journey back to the camp had begun.

The majority of Karnak was still in ruins, but he hoped that when he came back, it would be in better shape. It took Ren two days to make it back, he passed Eblan and rested there for the night. Kiyomi was glad to see him and even more glad to see that Luna had evolved. He was treated to a big dinner but soon had to leave at the sight of dawn. Ren was tired but he didnt stop, every thought of him seeing Reina brought him the extra energy he needed and soon, he could see the camp ahead.

Rami was out on parole, the sun just about setting. She marched around, with her men, making sure everything was safe and there was no one hiding to attack until he spotted a figure, "stand ground! Something is approaching!" she told her men, and immediately they drew their weapons but as the figure came closer, her hardened look softened, "is that..." her eyes widened in surprise when she saw his face clearly, "Ren?!" her weapon dropped from her hand as she ran to meet him, skidding to a halt when she stood in front of him. She thought her eyes deceived her but after touching his arm, she understood he was really there.

"What? You thought i wouldnt come back?" He had a smug grin on his face, but the grin was quickly wiped when she jumped on him, hanging to his neck.

"You are alive!"