Chapter 50: Conclusion

"Hana! You're back! What happened?" the girls all shouted questions as they ran towards me.

"It's a long story. Let's just say our adventure is finally over. Why don't we return to Shizin? I'm sure King Kusumura has something to tell us."

"What are you talking about, Hana? What did you do?"

"Hopefully, you'll find out soon enough. Gather around so I can transport us there."

The girls did as I instructed so I threw up the Warp Seed and spoke the name of Shizin. When we arrived on the beautiful green planet, Kusumura summoned us to his throne room.

"Welcome back, everyone! I have good news. The universal disturbance has disappeared. Good work!"

"What?! Really?!" everyone exclaimed as they turned toward me.

"Huh? Did I miss something?" Kusumura asked, clearly confused.

I sighed and told them about what happened after I disappeared. Once I finished, everyone looked at me in awe.

"That's very interesting. I guess Kojomaru itself took you there to end the universal disturbance," Touwa said, analyzing my story.

"That is indeed a legendary sword. May I see it, Hana?" Kusumura asked.

"Sure."

After inspecting the sword, Kusumura handed it back to me.

"That blade is spectacular! I have never seen anything like it before! Its powers rival that of Shizin's legendary swords!"

"So… now that the universal disturbance is over, I guess I'll have to go back to my daily life. Here's... the Warp Seed. I... won't need it... anymore, right?" I asked, choking back sobs.

"Nonsense! You are welcome to visit using the Seed anytime, Hana! You saved the whole universe! You are a hero!" Kusumura beamed.

"Really?! I can keep it?!"

"Sure! You should return home though. I am sure someone is waiting there for you."

"Who are you talking about?"

"You will find out. Farewell!"

"D-don't keep me waiting too long," Mari stuttered, looking away.

"Come back soon!" the rest of the girls called.

"I won't!" I said before throwing up the Seed. "Earth!"

When I opened my eyes, I found myself in the old gazebo in the park. Wait a minute! How long had I been gone?! Mom must be so worried! As I ran home, I noticed that the sun was beginning to set. I better hurry!

Finally, I made it home and quickly knocked on the door.

"You're back already?" Mom asked when she opened the door.

"What? What are you talking about?" I asked, confused as to why she was so calm.

"You didn't think I knew, did you?"

"Knew what? What are you talking about?" I asked innocently, on the verge of a mental breakdown.

"I know everything, Hana. Right from the beginning. Oh! I see you found Kojomaru! Where was it?"

"You know about Kojomaru?! How is that possible?!"

"Oh, c'mon, Hana! Haven't you put two and two together yet?"

"What are you talking about, Mom? I'm still amazed that you know about everything!"

"Let's go inside before I start explaining. We don't want to catch a cold, now do we?" Mom winked as she pulled me inside and shut the door.

"Hana! You're back! What took you so long?!" a cabbage exclaimed as it jumped into my arms.

"Kyabe?! What are you doing here? Did you tell Mom about everything?"

"Of course not, Pinkie! And what's with that welcome, huh?! Are you not glad to see me?" Kyabe pouted.

"Of course I'm happy to see you! I'm just confused, is all."

"Then hurry up, slowpoke!" Mom called from the living room.

I walked into the room and sat down across from Mom.

"So… you successfully stopped the universal disturbance. I'm so proud of you, Hana!"

"So you did know about it. I thought you were just pulling my leg! How did you know though?"

"I take it you've been to Minamoto, correct?"

"Where?"

Mom sighed before speaking. "Then I take it you've heard of the legendary heroine?"

"Yeah. What about her?" I asked, unsure where this was going.

"You still haven't figured it out?! I guess I'll just have to tell you flat out. I am the legendary heroine, Hana."

"WHAT?! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!"

"Let me explain. You see, I was born on the planet Minamoto. That world was overrun by an evil monster king so every able bodied person was to become an adventurer and defeat the king. As you now know, I was the one that defeated the monster king."

"Yeah, but…"

"Let me finish, Hana. As you might have learned, I worked anonymously. I figured people needed someone mysterious to look up to to give them hope. It worked so I didn't bother giving anyone my name. After I defeated the monster king, I decided to travel the universe. One day, I came across a planet called Shizin. There, I met a young prince named Kusumura. He was so impressed by my work that he decided to give me an interesting little seed called the Warp Seed. Eventually, I traveled to Earth and fell in love with a poor farmer. I decided to settle down with him. However, a famine struck and with a baby on the way, we needed food. Reluctantly, I decided to plant the Warp Seed in the hopes of growing enough food to survive the famine. My prayers were answered and we grew enough food to survive the famine. However, while harvesting the crops one day, your father was severely injured and died soon after you were born. I've been in contact with Kusumura all these years. When he suddenly stopped responding, I knew something was up. Soon after, I saw you walk home with Kyabe so I knew something was the matter. Since I knew I couldn't hope to fight like I used to, I decided to leave it up to you."

"Why didn't you tell me? I would've had a lot more confidence if I knew my mother was a legendary heroine!"

"That's where you're wrong, Hana. You would have been cocky and gotten yourself killed. Therefore, I kept my past a secret to you. I promised myself I would tell you everything once you were done if you hadn't figured it out already."

"Mom, did Kojomaru ever speak to you?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"It talked to me while I was fighting. It told me I was just like Sa. It meant you, right?"

"Probably. My name is Saku after all."

"I have another question. What about school? I missed a lot, right? People are surely worrying about me."

"I can answer that!" Kyabe piped up. "I went in your stead!"

"What?! Nobody noticed that a cabbage alien was suddenly going to school instead of me?"

"I didn't go like this, silly! I can make illusions, remember? I created an illusion that I was you!"

"You didn't do anything weird, did you?" I groaned, fearing the worst.

"Weird? What do you mean? I just acted like I normally do! I'm sure nobody could tell a difference!"

"That's what I was afraid of. Oh well. No sense dwelling on it."

. . .

My name is Hana Kojo. I once thought I was a normal girl who came from a farming family. I couldn't have been any more wrong! These days, I travel from planet to planet, making friends and helping people live their lives. It's a busy, but good life. If you're reading this, I hope I meet you soon!

The End.