Himitsu 23 (C) - Remedium【GOOD ENDING】

Jun's face is determined as he speaks, "I will do that, Remiel!" He ignores Kenzo's smug expression and glances back at the sleeping Atsuko. In a split second, he runs to her with lightning speed, leaving Kenzo behind. Kenzo begins glitching again. He is fighting with his current self and his fragment back in Tourika. 

"Leave them alone." His fragment demands, speaking to him within his mind. Kenzo's face contorts in pain as he shouts, “Shut up!” Jun's sword disappears from his hand as he picks up Atsuko. He starts walking towards the door, but his movements are slower now as he feels exhausted from his wounds. However, he pushes himself to get to the white door, determined to save Atsuko no matter what. As Jun reaches the door, it opens slowly, revealing a blinding white light. Kenzo notices this and screams, "No, please don't leave me! Don't take Atsuko away from me!" Jun doesn't reply and walks calmly into the light, carrying Atsuko in his arms. Behind him, the door closes and vanishes as if it never existed. Kenzo falls to his knees in pain and agony. He has lost everything, his excitement, his competition, and now Atsuko. Just like what happened with Myra, Kenzo continues to glitch until he disappears entirely into nothing. It was as if he was never here in the first place, yet things aren't that simple. The world of Caspien is in a state of turbulent change as it merges with the long-forgotten realm of Tourika. Meanwhile, at the cozy Bonbons de Rêve cafe, Hide is seated at a table across from his friend Kenji, with Myra joining them. Myra is weeping uncontrollably, her tears flowing freely down her cheeks. In front of them lies a plate of soft, warm butter cookies, along with three cups and a steaming kettle of lemon tea. "Don't cry, Myra...." Hide whispers. Kenji wears a bittersweet expression, "She should cry. Her father was a madman and even drove her to madness too. Everything he has built came tumbling down." Before Hide can respond, the door to the cafe opens and in walks Caelum, Leonarda, and Seiko's fragment. Leonarda rushes to Myra's side and comforts her, while Caelum stands quietly, surveying the familiar faces in the cafe. The sky outside has transformed from an eerie red to a breathtaking blue. The streets, once bustling with people, are now abandoned and are called something entirely different than before, now known as Tourika. 

Hide looks up at the mysterious stranger before him and asks, "Mister... who are you?" He stares at the stranger with a look of intense curiosity, eager to know more about him. Caelum reaches for a cookie and indulges himself before answering, "I'm the one who holds this place together. Dr. Alistair stole my concept, or rather, this place was never meant to be anything more than just a video game..." 

"A video game?" Hide asks, perplexed. "Yes, just a simple idea. But the mad doctor got carried away and became too familiar with him." Caelum explains, looking over at Kenji. Kenji rolls his eyes, "I take full responsibility for what has happened by allowing my own greed, jealousy, and anger to consume me." Leonarda, sensing that things have shifted, asks, "So, what do we do now, father? Dr. Alistair no longer controls this place." Caelum smiles, "We live without any strings attached."

****

At the Haven Headquarters, Seiko anxiously waits for the Remedium serum to take effect and wake Jun up. Meanwhile, at the Somnus Headquarters, Remiel administers the same serum to help Atsuko awaken from her slumber. The Remedium serum is carefully mixed into the gem pod's water supply, a crucial step in the process of awakening. After what seems like an eternity, Jun finally opens his eyes. The sleeping pod creaks open and he sits up, coughing and disoriented. Seiko rushes to his side, relieved to see him alive and well. Jun's first thought is for Atsuko's safety. "Is Atsuko okay?" he asks urgently, his heart pounding in his chest. Seiko's face clouds with worry. "I will have to wait for Remiel to call me." she replies, her voice strained. She hands Jun a bottle of water, watching as he drinks thirstily. She can feel his heartache, the deep yearning to see Atsuko and make sure she's okay. But he's too exhausted to move, too drained from his long sleep. "You should rest, Jun..." Seiko urges gently, opening the door for him to leave the lab room. Jun nods wearily and stumbles upstairs to his room, collapsing onto the bed in a deep slumber. Seiko remains on standby, her eyes fixed on her phone, waiting for Remiel's call. Every second feels like an eternity as she anxiously waits to hear about Atsuko's condition. At Somnus Headquarters, Atsuko opens her eyes as the sleeping pod she's in opens up. Remiel helps Atsuko out and wraps her with a big and fluffy towel, realizing how scarily thin and light she is. Atsuko can barely stand and Remiel tears up, "I'm so sorry this happened to you." He apologizes. Atsuko says, "I...It's fine..." She shuts her eyes and falls into a deep slumber. Barging into the room are some members from the S.W.A.T. They assist Remiel and investigate the laboratory which belonged to Dr.Alistair Crane. Dr.Alistair Crane has also been detained and will now get the punishment he has always deserved. He will now be experimented on and treated as an animal. 

Eight years later......

Atsuko wakes up from her slumber, her eyes still hazy and her breath shaky. She takes a moment to glance around and take in her surroundings. She's in a spacious and well-lit bedroom, with early sunlight pouring in through the windows. She turns her gaze towards the person lying next to her and sees her husband, Jun, who is still asleep. For a moment, she is startled, as she had a fleeting thought that the person next to her was someone else entirely, someone she'd rather forget. Despite the uneasy feeling in her stomach, Atsuko takes a deep breath and lies back down. She can feel Jun's arm draped over her waist, his warmth comforting her. As she settles into the bed, Jun stirs and wakes up, noticing that Atsuko is now awake. "Are you okay?" he asks, pulling her closer to him. Atsuko nods, though her expression is still troubled. "I just had another dream," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. Jun looks at her with concern. "What kind of dream?" 

"It's hard to explain. I'm a different person, in a different place. But it all feels so real." Jun nods, understanding her pain. "I have dreams like that too, you know.  Memories from the past. But we're safe now. We're alive." Atsuko nods again, grateful for Jun's comforting words. She clings to him, and they lie in silence for a while, lost in their own thoughts. Despite the trauma they've suffered, they won't let it define their present. They have each other, and that's what matters. As Atsuko drifts off to sleep, Jun stays awake, his mind filled with gratitude. He thinks about how lucky he is to have Atsuko by his side, how grateful he is for their life together. And as he slowly drifts off to sleep, he knows that no matter what the future holds, they'll face it together.

THE END.