Epilogue

...

“This game is really damn confusing, Jason. Are you sure you aren't messing with us?”

Many weeks had passed since the fight at Yama’s palace. In the courtyard, Loba stood in loose clothing, shifting his weight from left to right as he held a basketball. Uddi and Jason guarded a newly constructed net as Jason taunted Loba with a grin.

“Dude, the concept of travelling isn't that hard to grasp; you need to bounce the ball if you’re going to move with it. It's pretty simple. You can kill a Scorched with a stick, but you can’t bounce a ball?

Loba seethed under his breath, resolving to not let Jason get to him.

“Ugh, fine, let’s just play already!’

After doing a check, Loba stood on defense, waiting for Jason to come towards him.

The world slowed down for a moment, and in an instant, Jason flew over Loba’s head, launching himself from the courtyard grounds into the air.

Suddenly, falling from Jason’s arms, the ball fell into Loba’s orbit, causing him to swiftly grab towards it.

“You left yourself open, idiot. I thought this was your ga—”

As Loba reached for the ball, Jason circled around Loba's body in the air before snatching the ball back out midair and slamming the ball into the net.

“... You just used your crest.” Loba said, simply. “We promised we wouldn't do that.’

Loba’s hand gripped at Jason’s head as he laughed. “No, I didn't! You’re just slow! I'm built different, you know.”

“Shut up, bastard! You think I won't fight you? Just because everyone else is coddling you doesn't mean I will too! Let's go, right now!”

Jason casually swiped Loba’s hand from his head before getting into a stance.
“Alright, but don't be pissed when a walking corpse kicks your ass!"

Jason snickered to himself as he rolled up his sleeves.

Before any punches could be thrown, though, the two were swiftly interrupted by Uddi.

“Stop fighting!” He put himself between the two, throwing a hand on each of their shoulders.

“I really want to play basketball, so you need to stop! Here, Jae, you just watch. Me and Loba are gonna learn to play, and then we’ll play you two-on-one afterwards so it's fair, so no need to fight!”

Immediately Jason’s demeanor changed, patting Uddi on the head. “For sure, buddy, you guys have some fun; I need some water anyway.”

Loba continued to seethe, watching Jason walk back into the home.

…

Inside, Jason found Panka and Biji watching Loba and Uddi struggling to play.

“... They’re really bad.” Panka said, taking a swig of Rasa from a cup she balanced on the windowsill. “It's a bit embarrassing, honestly.” Biji agreed.

Resting his arms on their shoulders, Jason smirked as he watched the two fumble around with the ball. “They’ll get better… eventually.”

“And you! You shouldn't be up yet, let alone playing basketball. Are you serious?’ Biji lightly punched Jason in the arm, causing him to wince and rub it softly.

“Ow, that hurt…” he said, the pain in his voice apparent.

“Really!? Ah, I’m sorry! Let me just—” Biji fumbled before noticing the smile on Jason’s face as he giggled to himself.

“I hate you so much. Ukali should have left you dead,” she growled, walking over to the couch to sulk. Jason chuckled, walking over to the sink and filling a cup. “That's fair.”

“Are you okay, Jason? You still look a little off.”

After a while of him standing still at the counter, Panka found herself beside Jason, pouring herself a drink as he looked down into his cup of water. His face became contemplative as he looked up to the ceiling.

“Yeah, I'm alright; it's just…”

…

On a cratered mountain, to a high clearing, Yuzo walked towards the peak alone as snow beat down on his body. He had been unable to rest since the battle, and while many of the physical injuries had healed, his mind still continued to race as he replayed every bit of the encounter.

Eventually, reaching the clearing, he set down the wrapping he had on his back, unwrapping the cocoon.

“I don't know what to do… I'm completely lost. But this is a first step to figuring it out.”

Placing his hand down, a light began to glow from his hand, in the same way it had back in the forest.

‘… She’s a part of me I just couldn’t let go. Even after everything. Even if she wants nothing to do with me, I can at least begin to repent for everything I've done.”

As he placed the soul into the cocoon, it began to shake violently, pulsing and ebbing as black blood began to seep onto the snow, but Yuzo began to pour his own magical energy into it, causing his arm to blacken as his soul began to scorch and warp.

“I can fight it; I know I'm strong enough. I did it before; I can do it again. First I’ll bring her back, then I'm coming for you, Jae. Then, we can all go home together.”

…

“... I'm worried about Yuzo, even after everything. He’s still just a kid, and even though he did all he did, I can't help it.” Jason sighed, flopping down on the couch next to Biji, who still seemed irritated. “But if there's one thing I know about my brother, it's that he’s got a good heart. He’s strong. I know, even if it takes a long time, he’ll find his way.”

Biji looked at him, causing her face to soften.

“You know, you really are a good guy, even if you’re insufferable.”

…

The light faded from the cocoon, unraveling softly as Yuzo breathed harshly in the cold mountain air. His arm had become fully blackened and warped, resembling more a claw than a human arm.

As the layers peeled back, steam began to rise from the body as warm air and the smell of ash and fish dissipated into the freezing air.

Emma opened her eyes as the layers of the cocoon softly peeled from her like petals opening.

As she lifted her torso from the ground, Yuzo noticed her change in appearance, unlike anything he had seen; her body and hair had become pale and silvered, and her eyes shimmered like rubies. On her back, a web of a crest stretched, resembling cracks of black and gold.

In a haze, she looked up at Yuzo, analyzing his face: his matted hair, gaunt face, and dark eyes full of tears. He had exchanged his armor for a simple shirt and pants, along with his cloak, which he wrapped around her as he began to shiver and sob.

Yuzo cried, desperately looking for reassurance in her face. Her expression was the same as it had been when he had last seen her: unimpressed, cold.

In despair, he fell to the ground, staring up into the black sky of Naraka, unable to breathe as his tears felt like wounds on his face.

“I really am… A child.”

And she reached for him, pulling him into her arms as snow fell gently upon them.

“It's okay to enjoy life in another world.”