Epilogue

Four years had passed.

Lia sat with her arms folded while staring lazily at the television screen beside her. Ren sat next to her doing the same. Then suddenly, Lia spoke.

“Brother... I am bored looking at your not-so-handsome face.”

A long sigh escaped Ren. “Then what should I do? Act like the main character of Yosuga no Sora from that file in your laptop?”

“Eeeh?! Since when did you see that!” Lia grabbed a sofa pillow and hit him with all her strength. Her cheeks were burning bright red like a tomato. “Who allowed you to see it!”

“You were the one who carelessly left your laptop open right at episode eleven, you brocon.”

“Look in the mirror, filthy siscon!”

Yes, that was how their life had been over the last four years. But what exactly happened in those four years?

After returning from Mictlan, Ren immediately uploaded almost all his footage to the internet just as the tribal chief had asked. Only the inappropriate or blood-filled clips were kept neatly in one of his USB drives.

There was no way he could show a video of naked people wandering in a desert made of bones. The whole thing would be instantly taken down. What mattered was that he fulfilled the request he had been entrusted with.

The video went viral, but... everyone assumed it was high grade AI footage. Several technology institutes even tried offering him a scholarship, although he rejected them.

Ren did not deny or explain anything. Let shadows remain shadows, just like Mictlantecuhtli had told him. Some things did not need to be explained. They were meant to stay as mysteries.

But because of that viral moment, his potential as an archaeologist was noticed by an Archaeological Institute in Spain. They offered him a position there, not only as a myth researcher but also a historian, along with a team of young researchers his age.

What about Lia?

In four years, the once energetic and chaotic girl grew into a beautiful model. Yet despite that path, she chose to study in the same major and the same country as her brother. Yes. And those two virgins had been living together ever since.

No. No. It was not what anyone might imagine. They lived together for efficiency and trust, nothing else.

During every break, they always visited ancient sites somewhere in the world. They recorded everything like before, then paid respect to the forgotten generations whose shadows once shaped the new world they now lived in.

“Hey, Lia. Tomorrow there is an exhibition of ancient artifacts from my division. Do you want to come?”

Lia nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. Of course.”

The next morning, they drove to the event.

The atmosphere was lively. People gathered around every artifact that was displayed. Awe and curiosity lit many faces, though there were always a few smirking skeptics.

Well, people like that could appear anywhere. As long as they did not disturb or damage anything, they were not worth the attention.

Thud.

Someone bumped into Ren from behind.

“S-sorry!”

Ren turned and saw a girl.

For some reason, he could not look away. His eyes traced her from head to toe. Blonde hair. Brown eyes like autumn leaves. Pale skin and soft rose colored lips. She looked around seventeen.

She looked nothing like someone he knew but... something felt familiar.

“Have we met before?”

The question came not from him, but from the girl. Her voice was soft, like a lullaby. A voice that stirred warmth in his chest.

“Is that so, Miss? I feel the same way, maybe.”

Suddenly, the girl pressed her hand against her head as if something struck her.

“Are you alright, Miss?”

“S-sorry. I have had headaches since I was born. Especially when I see something related to the Aztecs. Sometimes I feel like I am dreaming of another world.”

Ren froze. His eyes widened slightly.

Without him noticing, Lia quietly stepped back and gave them space.

“U-uh... did I speak too much, Sir?” The girl waved a hand in front of his face. “Sir? Are you okay?”

Ren shook his head, returning from whatever thought pulled him.

“M-my apologies. I spaced out.”

The girl blinked, then smiled nervously and held out her hand.

“My name is Giseline now. I mean... my name is Giseline. May I know your name, Re... I mean, sir?”

Ren smiled and shook her hand gently.

“My name is Ren. Ren Kamishiro.”

“Ren... Ren... Ren...” The girl whispered his name over and over. Suddenly her body trembled, and tears fell from one eye. “W-why... why am I crying... what is... what is happening?”

The world fell silent.

Time seemed to stop.

There was no one else around them aside from Lia watching from a distance.

Ren moved first. Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms. His embrace was soft, protective, full of longing he did not know he carried.

“Welcome back... Xilama.”

The world blurred with her sobs. No one else appeared. No sound from outside reached them. It was as if the world itself granted them a sacred silence.

“Ren... Ren... Ren...” She buried her face in his chest. “I... I do not remember, yet I remember... I... I...”

“It is alright,” Ren whispered. His voice was gentle, like spring wind. “You do not need to remember. Who you are now is who you are now. Do not drag yourself into what was once you. Even so...”

He slowly pulled away from the embrace. Then he extended his hand toward her. His smile bloomed softly, warm and sincere.

“Would you walk through those shadows with me once more?”

“Of course. Besides, you do not like spoiled princess types, right?”

She wiped the tears from her cheeks. Then she grabbed his hand, which felt far too large for the small hands she had now.

“Then come, Xilama.”

Ren began walking, but she tugged at his hand gently.

“No...” she whispered. “Giseline. My name now is Giseline. Do not call me Xilama anymore, understand?”

“Of course... Giseline.”

Together, they walked forward, stepping beyond the invisible veil and returning to the world of lights and ancient artifacts. Laughter and quiet smiles accompanied their steps.

Lia smiled behind them, watching the two figures walking side by side. Then with a soft exhale, she shrugged and decided to follow after them.

In the end... he got the flower he wanted.