It's over

Rustling of fire had settled down. The raging infernos that once ravaged the village were now only embers. The village that once stood tall was no more, and all that remained was the debris left behind by the flames. Couger village had ceased to exist.

Far from the smoke, two figures lay still. Though unconscious, their breathing was steady, as if caught in a deep slumber. Moments later, a woman's fingers twitched. Her eyelids fluttered before slowly opening, revealing her dazed, unfocused gaze. She scanned her surroundings, struggling to make sense of where she was.

"Am I still alive?" The thought raced through her mind as she fought to regain her balance.

She stretched out her arm, opening and closing her hand, feeling for something solid to hold on to. Her fingers found the rough bark of a tree trunk beneath her. Using it for support, she slowly lifted herself to her feet, her breathing still uneven.

Now fully conscious, she surveyed the area more carefully. About six meters away, a lone figure stood in the distance, partially obscured by the haze of smoke. She took a cautious step forward, then another. As she moved closer, the figure became clearer.

"Charni?" she called out hesitantly. "Is that you?"

The figure turned. It was indeed her husband. He had woken up before her. Without another word, she rushed forward, throwing herself into his arms. Charni caught her, wrapping one arm tightly around her back while his other hand gently patted her shoulder.

"It's okay... It'll be fine now."

As he held her close, he could feel her trembling against his chest. His grip tightened protectively, but soon, he felt something warm and wet. Her tears soaked into his clothes. She was crying.

For a long moment, they stood like that—Charni whispering quiet reassurances while his wife let her emotions pour out. When her sobs finally softened, they pulled away slightly, turning their attention toward the ruined village.

The flames had died down, leaving behind nothing but smoldering wreckage and blackened wood.

"We survived," Charni murmured. He exhaled a deep breath, his expression hardening with resolve. "And my soul is screaming out loud that this life I've been given... it's for the sake of change."

His wife looked up at him.

"Let's end this hell and create a better home for our daughter."

She smiled, a quiet strength in her gaze. "Right. Then let's go save the future of our child."

In the ruins of the village, Bon and Chief Couger's battle reached its peak.

"His sword is guardless," the chief analyzed mid-combat, "slightly shorter than a normal blade—a Nodachi, but sized to fit his stature. Without a guard, he channels wind directly from his hand into the blade, increasing efficiency. And by slashing, he multiplies the speed and power of the attack..."

He grinned. "To think he can do all this without even grasping the true nature of his spirit dive. It's no understatement to call him a battle genius."

Bon caught sight of the chief's expression. The old man was grinning, despite their deadly exchange.

"What's so funny, old man?" Bon asked, his eyes narrowing.

Chief Couger let out a scant breath before answering. "My spirit dive… It's that of the crocodile. From above the swamp, the Nile River flows. I believe one spirit of those crocodiles was never too pleased about being worshipped as a 'noble god.'"

He paused, catching his breath. "One of them blessed me with this ability—to break this ridiculous belief. It took me far too long, but I finally did."

A knowing smile crept onto his lips.

Bon didn't waste time with a response. He lunged forward, blade ready. "Alright, then, old man—let's end this!"

Chief Couger nodded.

"Nile Drive."

In an instant, his body transformed. His claws extended longer and sharper. Spine protruded slightly, forming jagged, scale-like ridges down his arms. His already ferocious attacks became even deadlier.

Bon tightened his grip on his sword. "It's no time to think about the nature of my spirit dive. Right now, all I know is how to fight with the wind. And I'll use it to the fullest!"

A grin spread across his face.

"Alright, then—it's time to go wild!"

The winds picked up around him, swirling fiercely. Both fighters lunged at each other.

Bon suddenly dropped backward, lowering his stance. Using the inertia from his fall, he propelled himself forward, just as the chief came down on him. At the last second, Chief Couger swung his elongated claw, slicing through the wind. It came within an inch of Bon's face—

—only for Bon to release a violent gust of wind from his palm. The force sent the chief flying.

Mid-air, the chief twisted his body, trying to regain control before crashing into the ground. But as he landed, Bon was already there, positioned perfectly.

"When did he get there…? Did he predict this?" Bon's quick decision-making took aback the chief.

"The Great Jungle should brace itself," he thought. "This monster is coming its way."

Bon swung his sword. Spiraling gusts of wind wrapped around the blade, twisting and turning at incredible speeds.

"Zephyrus—Spiro Slash!"

The chief's body was sent hurtling through the air, piercing through the thick smoke before crashing into the ground. His body lay sprawled, facing the sky.

A tense silence filled the air.

"Is that… the Swamp God?" a villager whispered.

"No," Charni corrected, stepping forward. "That's Chief Couger."

As they watched, the chief's monstrous features slowly faded. His fangs receded, his claws shrank, and the scale-like protrusions disappeared. What remained was a battered, bruised man—stripped of everything but the weight of his pain.

Kartia stepped forward, her gaze steady as she approached the fallen chief. Their eyes met.

"This is the end."

She raised her dagger.

"With this blade, we end it with our own hands. I may not have been born here, but I love this village with all my heart. I owe it a great debt."

She pointed the dagger at his chest.

"The chief's resolve ran this deep, huh? Then I won't falter, either."

She inhaled sharply. "I will deliver the first stab. If you truly wish for a new world—then deliver one, too."

Her hands trembled slightly, but she didn't hesitate.

"Do it, girl," Chief Couger said weakly, his voice fading. "To think you've grown this much… Your mother would be proud. I'll share a great tale with her in the great fire."

Kartia plunged the dagger down.

One by one, the villagers followed. Aisha's parents stepped forward next, their faces solemn. One after another, hands grasped the hilt, each taking part in ending the last Couger's reign.

Azuya stepped forward, taking the blade from Kartia's hands.

The villagers held their breath.

He raised it high.

"Let us be free from this suffering," he declared. He looked down at the chief one final time. "So long, Chief."

And he plunged the dagger deep.

One by one, more villagers joined in. The line of people continued, each blow marking the end of an era.

As the darkness of the night stretched over the burning ruins, Chief Couger's final thoughts drifted away.

"To think the last thing I would see before dying… is the dark smoke left behind by the village's ruins."

His vision blurred.

"What a delightful sight… indeed."