Where Forgiveness Ends the Curse

The portal did not immediately return them to the surface. Instead, it guided them through an empty corridor illuminated by soft white light. A strange substance, white and fluffy like cotton candy, floated around Lia’s legs. She tried scooping it into her hands, but the moment she touched it, the cotton dissolved like mist.

There was nothing else. Only drifting clouds and the echo of their footsteps against the cold floor beneath them.

Lia sighed after what felt like nearly ten minutes of walking. “Haaah~ I really thought stepping into the portal would instantly bring us back home. But we still have to walk this far.”

“There is no need to complain that much, Lia.”

“How could I not complain...” She stretched both arms behind her head. “We ran for our lives, rowed across a lake, climbed a mountain, and we even literally died for a moment. We are already going home and yet we still have to walk. My legs have given up.”

Ren only laughed softly at her whining.

Lia narrowed her eyes. “Why are you so energetic. Do your legs not feel numb or stiff.”

“Not at all.”

She puffed her cheeks. “Sometimes I really envy your athletic body. We exercise the same amount, yet the difference is still this far.”

Ren grinned and ruffled her hair.

“H-hey...!?”

“Hehe. You are still small. Your body has not developed yet. And besides, it is normal for a girl to be physically weaker than a boy because that is just how it is. So there is no need to feel jealous.”

“Still...”

Her cheeks puffed even more. Ren no longer reacted. He slipped his hands into his pockets and looked forward silently.

He walked as if stepping over a clear sky. Yet for some reason, the world around him seemed pale before his eyes. Emptiness crept into his chest like an arrow piercing his heart. Without thinking, he placed a hand over the left side of his chest.

What is this feeling... Why does it feel so empty?

Lia had been secretly observing him. She finally let out a soft sigh. “It has not even been a full day since you parted from her. Yet you already miss her, huh. Where is all your cool speech from earlier. Are you really that in love with her?”

Her teasing struck like lightning in broad daylight.

Love? Him? A boy who had never experienced such a thing in almost twenty years?

“L-love? Me?”

Lia smirked. “Come on. What else would it be?” She nudged his arm. “Hey, do not tell me just because you are still a virgin you do not understand what it feels like to fall in love.”

“D-do not tease your older brother. You do not even have a lover either.”

“Well, I am still young. Unlike you who are almost twenty. And do not lump me together with someone who does not understand love. Girls understand these things better.” She wiggled her finger at him proudly as if declaring herself a master of romance despite being just as inexperienced as him.

“So it really shows that much...”

Ren’s gaze softened. His breath became calm like still water. A faint smile appeared on his lips, subtle and fragile, as if hiding somewhere between denial and acceptance.

Seeing that expression made Lia smile as well.

“Ne~ what does love mean to you, Brother?”

Ren gently shook his head. He could not fully answer because even after reading countless books, he still did not understand its nature. Yet somehow, this time he could give her an answer.

“Do you know the story about Plato’s student? In one of the old anecdotes, his student once asked him what love was. And how did Plato respond? He told his student to walk through a field and pick the most beautiful flower he could find, but he must not turn back. And the result?”

“He returned without bringing a single flower. Correct?”

“That is right,” Ren replied quietly. “Love is something you see not with your eyes, but with your heart. But by the time you realize it, it is already too late. You cannot turn back to take the flower you passed by.”

“But you can, Brother.” Lia lifted her voice. “You and Xilama–”

“Can what?” Ren cut her words before she continued. “We are different in almost everything. Our world, our time, our culture. And besides, after everything that has happened, how could I return now and tell her... ‘I love you’?”

Silence fell.

Lia lowered her gaze.

“You cannot answer that, can you.”

“Sorry... I did not mean to upset you.”

The air grew still. They walked in silence until Ren finally exhaled a long breath. His tense expression softened again. He gently brushed his hand across her head.

“Sorry for raising my voice.”

“No... it was my fault.”

After a moment of quiet, Ren lifted his gaze. A bright light awaited at the end of the path. He tapped Lia’s back gently.

“Come on. Look. That must be the exit.”

“Mhm. Let’s go.”

Her cheerful smile returned. She walked forward with renewed energy as if all her burdens had vanished. Ren followed beside her with his hands tucked comfortably in his pockets.

However, just before they reached the end of the light, someone stood in their path.

A ghostly woman with a partially melted face and long hair covering nearly her entire body blocked their way again. Her clawed fingers twitched, as if ready to grab.

Lia immediately hid behind Ren, trembling slightly.

“B-brother... she’s here again...”

“Stay behind me. I will handle it. This is also Lord Mictlantecuhtli’s request.”

Ren stepped forward. La Llorona glided rapidly toward him until they stood face to face. Still, Ren did not tremble. There was no fear. No urge to run. He had come here to end this.

“Well, you are fast.”

Clap.

La Llorona suddenly seized his throat.

“Brother!”

“It is fine.” Ren spoke despite the pressure on his neck. His voice wavered slightly, but there was no fear. “Wow. You are really strong,” he joked through the pain.

La Llorona did not react.

Then Ren abruptly wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a slow, gentle embrace. His voice was soft, almost a whisper.

“I am sorry.”

Her grip loosened. Her hands slowly fell. Then something slid from her ruined eyes.

Drop... drop... drop...

Ren held her tighter. The calm smile on his lips changed, replaced by something bittersweet and fragile.

“I saw everything. Your past, your rage, and your sins. I am sorry if the man who betrayed you was my ancestor. I am sorry if he was me in a past life. And even if he was no one at all... I am sorry.”

The ghost, stiff and trembling, slowly returned the embrace. Her body became wrapped in a warm glow.

Her torn gown shifted into soft white cloth. Her tangled hair straightened and fell gracefully around her shoulders. And her true beautiful face finally appeared from beneath the veil of shadows. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks.

“Please... just once. Speak my name. And forgive all that I have done.”

“Of course... Maria.”

“Thank you...”

Maria’s body faded. She dissolved into countless fragments of shimmering light that floated upward like starlight before disappearing into the heavens.

La Llorona.

A wandering soul born from love and suffering. Mictlantecuhtli had forgiven her long ago. The proof was her presence here in a place meant only for chosen souls.

Yet she could never forgive herself. She drowned her children in a moment of madness. She ended her own life in despair. She chose the path of a vengeful spirit to punish a man long dead.

In the end, she was trapped by longing, rage, and grief. Bound for centuries with no way to be reborn.

“How sad.”

“Yes...”

After hearing the full truth, Lia could only lower her head. Her heart ached for Maria and the tragedy that shaped her.

Without realizing it, the light at the end of the path moved toward them instead of waiting. It enveloped their bodies gently. Warm and brilliant. As if the final task entrusted to them had been fulfilled.

As if freeing La Llorona was the last key needed for them to return home.