End of the nightmare.

I stood paralyzed as I watched Albert collapse to the ground, killed by the arrow. My heart pounded, a mixture of relief, shock, and fear. Albert… the tyrant… died just like that, so suddenly?

Before I could process it, the soldier who had delivered Margarida's news drew his sword, ready to shout for reinforcements. But he didn't have time; another arrow came through the air and pierced his throat, knocking him down with a choked groan.

Ayano calmly lowered her bow, her eyes cold.

"Problem solved," Ayano said in a firm voice.

She then extended her hand to me.

—Come on. We have to escape immediately. — he said. Ayano

Still shaken, I held her hand, and the two of them began to run down the corridor, avoiding the guards moving around in other areas of the palace.

“Where to?” I asked, breathing heavily.

“We can’t leave without a plan!” I continued.

— Shut up. — Ayano replied dryly.

"Just walk with me," Ayano continued speaking.

I gritted my teeth in irritation.

"You better not try to trick me, Ayano ," I told her.

She gave him a sideways glance, almost a sneer.

"You talk too much," Ayano said.

Without another word, we followed the hidden corridors until we reached a side exit, slipping past unnoticed. Ayano seemed to know every step, as if she'd mapped it all out beforehand.

When we arrived outside, we saw a cart leaning against the shadow of a wall. A hooded man stood at the front, holding the reins.

— Come in. — said the cart driver.

"I've already arranged with him. He's going to take us to the commoners' area," he said . Ayano .

I hesitated for a moment, but then I climbed into the cart with her. The cart driver flicked the reins, and the horses began to move.

The journey was long and silent. I could hardly believe we'd managed to escape unnoticed. After about half an hour, the wagon stopped.

“We’re here,” said the cart driver, his voice hoarse.

— You can leave. — the cart driver continued speaking.

I got off first, stretching my tired body. He turned to thank me.

— Thank you for… — I was thanking him when I saw something.

Then something happened: a magical aura enveloped the cart driver's body. His silhouette began to change, his facial features distorting. Within seconds, the illusion shattered, revealing who he truly was.

My eyes widened, surprised and happy at the same time.

— Ryn ?! — I said.

The boy smiled, still panting from the effort of the transformation.

—I thought you guys might need me, — he said. Ryn .

— Ayano convinced me to help destroy Albert. — he continued Ryn .

I took a deep breath, trying to understand.

— So… are we going to the Zairos ’ house ? — I asked.

— Yes. — he answered. Ryn .

Then he gave a mischievous little laugh.

—But first… I need to say, you even seem to like being a woman, Araya . — Ryn said in an ironic tone.

I rolled my eyes and let out a tired sigh.

— Ryn , I just hope these days in this body are over soon. — I told him.

Ayano , beside me, let out a slight smile.

"It'll be resolved today," Ayano said.

I looked at her, confused.

"What do you mean? What do you mean by that?" I asked her.

— When we get to the Zairos ' house , you'll understand. — he replied Ayano firmly.

We walked together for five minutes through the dark streets of the commoners' quarter. The silence was heavy, only footsteps echoing in the night. Finally, we reached the old Zairos house .

When we entered, I saw familiar and unexpected faces, Kalea , the mysterious maid who was only 12 years old, Margarida… and even Yukiko .

The last two looked at me fixedly, their eyes full of doubt, and asked almost in chorus.

— Who is the girl you brought?

I looked at them deeply, swallowed hard, and answered without hesitation:

— It's me… Araya . In a woman's body. — I answered them.

The silence that followed seemed capable of cutting the air.

As soon as I revealed who I was, Margarida and Yukiko's eyes widened. Surprise quickly turned to anger.

— WHAT?! — they both screamed at the same time.

— We don't accept you here!

The voice echoed off the walls of the Zairos ' old house , as if they wanted to drive me out with the sound. I took a deep breath, ready to respond, but Ayano was quicker.

— Shut up, you two. — he said. Ayano in a firm tone.

— They're only alive thanks to Ryn and Kalea … who happen to be Araya 's friends . — he continued Ayano .

I remained silent, intrigued.

"What do you mean by that, Ayano ? How did they save you?" I asked her.

Kalea then crossed her arms, raising her chin proudly.

— I did most of it myself, — he said. Kalea full of herself.

"I found the Cure heroine lying in the middle of the street, here in the commoners' area. She was mentally shaken, so I took her in and am taking care of her," he continued. Kalea .

She turned her gaze to Margarida and continued:

— Now about the former princess … I went to the prison with the help of Ryn , who disguised me with his ability, and Ayano , who mapped the place for me. Once there, I freed Margarida and brought her here. — he concluded Kalea .

I looked at Ryn and Kalea , letting out a genuine smile.

"You two did a wonderful job," I congratulated them.

Suddenly, I heard a soft cough behind me. I looked sideways and it was Ayano . I knew immediately that the cough had been intentional.

I sighed and completed.

"And you too, Ayano . You did a great job," I told her.

Ayano didn't answer anything, but I could see the slight smile she hid as she turned her face away.

Margarida clenched her fists, still angry, but her expression softened a bit after hearing Kalea 's explanation . Yukiko , on the other hand, was red-faced with anger.

—I don't believe this… — Yukiko said , her voice trembling.

— The copy hero, now in this ridiculous body, being treated as if he were part of our group again… — said Yukiko .

Margarida crossed her arms, sighing.

"It's humiliating, but... it seems I must admit it. If it weren't for them, I would be dead," said Margarida.

Yukiko turned her face away reluctantly, but deep down she knew Kalea was telling the truth.

It was then that Ayano took a step forward, facing Yukiko directly.

"Enough of the theatrics. Yukiko , use your Holy Healing right now. Remove the Flower's effect from his DNA," he ordered . Ayano .

The Cure heroine's eyes widened.

— What?! Are you kidding me? I'm not going to waste my skill on… on him! — he said Yukiko .

"Yes, you will." Ayano replied, her voice as hard as steel.

"Or I'll end your life right here and now," Ayano said seriously and directly.

Silence fell heavily. Yukiko gritted her teeth, hatred flaring in her eyes. Finally, she snorted and raised her hands. An intense light began to shine, enveloping my body.

I felt as if invisible chains were breaking inside me. Heat coursed through every vein, every muscle, until the sensation finally exploded into a deep relief.

I looked at my hands, then at my body. The strange weight I'd been carrying was gone. I… I was back.

I became a man again.

I sighed deeply, a knot of anger and gratitude clenching in my chest. I looked at Ayano , who just nodded as if this were just another part of the plan.