Journey of Eternal Light

Ryo's eyes sharpened, his gaze cold and focused.

He cracked his knuckles, each pop echoing like a countdown.

He muttered with grit. "Alright, playtime's over."

A surge of crimson energy erupted around him, crackling with intensity as he powered up, each pulse growing stronger.

Malakar—down to one leg but still filled with rage—lunged with inhuman speed. His skull mouth opened wide mid-air, ready to fire a dark green beam straight at Ryo's face.

But—CRACK!

Ryo met him with a brutal uppercut to the jaw, snapping Malakar's skull upward and shutting the beam down before it could fire.

Malakar wasn't finished.

Even with his head snapping back, he forced his bony fist forward—WHAM!—slamming Ryo in the gut.

Ryo fliched, coughing hard from the hit.

But his anger flared hotter. "Not good enough!"

With a growl, Ryo ignored the pain, spun, and delivered a sharp swipe to Malakar's neck. SMACK!

The impact made Malakar choke and stagger.

And then it began…

Fist after fist—blow after blow—

They tore into each other with relentless speed.

Their punches cracked the air, each collision thundering like distant bombs.

The air shook. The earth trembled.

Amidst the chaos of fists and fury, Ryo suddenly leapt, twisting mid-air.

WHAM!

He unleashed a brutal roundhouse kick to the skull face that sent Malakar flying far across the desert like a broken missile.

But Ryo wasn't finished.

Before Malakar could even hit the ground, Ryo lunged forward, blitzing across the air at impossible speed—

His body gliding above Malakar's midair form, who was now tumbling with his skull-face pointed upward.

Without hesitation, Ryo snatched Malakar's remaining leg.

Then—with a fierce spin—he twisted their bodies mid-air and hurled Malakar high into the sky, launching him straight toward the dark clouds above.

The purple, glowing clouds swirled with dark energy as Malakar disappeared into them like a cursed star.

Ryo narrowed his eyes, voice steady "Alright... time for a sky battle."

He landed with a thud on the desert floor, sand kicking up around his feet.

Then—with a Mighty Leap—he rocketed upward, chasing his enemy into the heavens.

Malakar spread his wings, now hovering above the dark clouds. His skeletal frame glowed faintly with dark green energy, and despite one leg being gone, his monstrous form soared effortlessly.

He let out a guttural ROAR, shaking the heavens.

Eyes blazing, he scanned the swirling chaos below—searching for Ryo.

Then—he sensed movement.

With a shriek of fury, Malakar folded his wings and dove, plummeting into the storm clouds like a missile, claws drawn and ready to strike.

But once inside, the world turned to confusion.

The clouds were thick and swirling, dark mist twisting like smoke, with flashes of eerie purple light cutting through the darkness. Malakar twisted and turned in the air, his eyes searching—but Ryo was nowhere to be seen.

Just shadows. Just mist. Nothing but the storm.

Then—a whisper of motion on his left.

Ryo emerged from the fog, voice sharp and cocky. "Over here, fossil boy."

Before Malakar could react, Ryo threw a right hook across his jaw, the hit echoing like thunder.

But Malakar didn't flinch.

He caught Ryo's fist with a snarl, claws tightening.

Ryo's eyes widened. "Oh crap—!"

RAAAAAH!!!

Malakar let out a savage roar and drove his fist into Ryo's face, sending him hurtling through the clouds.

Ryo spun, coat flaring, barely conscious.

But he wasn't out yet.

With a growl, he drew his upgraded gun mid-fall and fired downward—BLAM!

The blast kicked him back upward. BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

Each shot flared like a firework, propelling him in sharp, controlled bursts, letting him twist and soar through the clouds like a man with wings. Crimson energy spiraled around him, cutting through the mist.

Ryo hovered mid-air, surrounded by the endless swirl of black mist and crackling purple light. He couldn't see a thing—but he had a trick up his sleeve.

He used the crimson sniper scope above his right eye, which glowed to life with deep red pulses.

Ryo muttered, scanning the storm. "C'mon… where are you…"

The scope cut through the fog like a blade—locking onto a heat signature hidden in the gloom.

Target found.

Far ahead, Malakar's monstrous form loomed, wings spread, right arm outstretched.

Suddenly—a crackling glow surged from Malakar's palm.

Dark green and shadowy black energy swirled like molten acid, gathering into a sphere.

Ryo's eye widened. "So you wanna go beam for beam, huh?"

He raised his gun.

Malakar fired first—A massive beam of corrupted green energy ripped through the clouds like a dragon's scream.

Ryo shouted, teeth clenched. "Fine! Right back at you!!"

He pulled the trigger.

Ryo's gunshot surged into a crimson beam of pure focused power, spiraling with energy from Mr. Grim's magic.

The two beams collided mid-air.

A war of light and power erupted as crimson and green clashed, spiraling and grinding against each other. The sky split open as the impact point expanded into a blinding sphere, pulsating with unstable power.

The ball of energy grew larger and larger, devouring clouds and roaring like a second sun—until—

KA-THOOOM!!!

A colossal explosion burst outward, a perfect circle of force ripping the dark clouds apart, dispersing them in all directions.

Ryo started plummeting through the sky, the wind howling past his ears, and suddenly, he grinned.

Eyes flashing, whispered to himself. "Alright... time for something real stupid."

He angled his dive straight down—and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"HEY, FOSSIL BOY! COME ON AND CATCH ME!"

Malakar roared from above, his twisted form diving after Ryo like a falling nightmare, wings stretched and claws ready, green and black energy charging at his fingertips.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

He hurled balls of dark energy while chasing Ryo down like a missile.

But Ryo spun mid-air, raising his gun, and shot every blast out of the sky with perfect timing.

As Malakar closed in—Ryo smirked.

And smooth as ever… "Gotcha, asshole."

BLAM! BLAM!

Ryo's shot blasted straight through Malakar's wings—

BLAM! BLAM!

Another two rounds— both arms dissolved.

BLAM!

Last leg—gone.

Now Malakar was just a shrieking torso and a head, helplessly falling.

Ryo, watching him drop, grinned. "I knew it... You're all roar and no brains. A real shit fighter."

While Malakar spiraled, flailing uselessly, Ryo fired downward in a sweeping arc, his bullets propelling him back into the sky, slowing his descent. He hung in the air for a moment—watching Malakar plummet.

Then—Ryo turned his gun downward.

Bang—bang—bang!

Each shot rocketed him higher and higher—until he passed the clouds… passed the stratosphere… into the EDGE OF SPACE!

The world curved beneath him. Stars twinkled above.

He stopped shooting.

The winds were dead silent.

Ryo, eyes glowing with crimson light, voice sharp and savage.

"Lucky for you, Malakar... you're immortal."

"So I get to go all out—mercilessly."

He turned downward, one leg stretched out, and began to spin—faster and faster, until he became a fiery blur in the sky, descending back down toward the earth.

And with a ridiculously over-the-top, cringey attack name—

"ULTIMATE ATTACK!!"

"SPINNY SPINNY METEOR KICK!!"

But behind it?

Pure destruction…

Malakar's green eyes widened in panic, he roared helplessly, wriggling like an angry worm.

But with no limbs—he couldn't dodge. Couldn't move. His body was regenerating, but it was happening extremely slowly, leaving him vulnerable.

Can only scream.

Ryo's leg ignited, blazing like a comet.

He broke through the clouds like a falling god, spinning with speed and rage—closing in.

Malakar let out one last panic roar—

KRA-KOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

Impact.

The hit landed square in Malakar's gut, the force obliterating his lower half and erasing the sand below in a shockwave that carved out a 2-kilometer-wide crater, its depth reaching as far as 200 meters, leaving a gaping wound in the earth.

From inside the Black Pyramid, Amina and Aladdin stumbled as the ground shook violently from Ryo's impact.

Amina, wide-eyed. "What was that?!"

Dust choked the air. The crater glowed faintly.

Malakar, though still technically alive, was out cold—his twisted form scattered in pieces, leaving only his skull head.

And from the center of the crater, Ryo brushed dust from his trench coat and stood up.

He wiped the blood and sweat from his forehead with a satisfied sigh.

Feeling proud. "Phew… damn. I almost caused an extinction event."

He grabbed Malakar by the horn and lifted him up, smirking.

"Alright, fossil boy. Time to get you thrown into the gate."

With a powerful leap, he soared out of the crater and dashed back toward the black pyramid, determined to finish the job.

Back in the Black Pyramid's chamber…

The monstrous gate to the spirit realm shuddered, groaning like a dying titan.

A massive clawed hand slowly began to emerge, gripping the stone floor and cracking it with bone-chilling strength.

Amina and Aladdin stood frozen, eyes locked on the monstrous spirit hand clawing its way forward.

Aladdin raised a finger, urgently. "I got an idea, Lady Amina!"

Amina, wary but curious. "What is it?"

Aladdin glanced at the shaking gate, then to the sealed entrance above where the carpet clung for dear life.

"We'll use the magic carpet. We'll fly in, dodge that thing's claws, and toss the compass in. Then we pull back just before we get sucked in ourselves."

Amina blinked. That was bold. Too bold.

"But Aladdin… the force from the gate is too strong."

She pointed—the carpet was still pinned to the sealed entrance, fluttering uselessly under the violent wind.

But Aladdin's eyes didn't waver.

"We both use wind magic, right? If we combine our power, we can control it—force it to move. We give it more than wind—we give it command."

Amina stared at him for a second.

Then—she smiled and nodded.

They both walked to the stuck carpet and stretched their palms just inches above it.

A rush of air swirled around them, their magic weaving together like twin streams converging.

The carpet trembled—then TWITCHED—then tore itself free!

It moved down and hovered steadily above the ground, pulsing with new strength.

"We did it…" Amina whispered, stunned.

Now, they climbed on—Amina at the front, Aladdin at the rear.

Amina, holding the compass tightly, glanced over her shoulder.

"Are you ready, Aladdin?!"

Aladdin nodded sharply, hands clenched over the carpet's edge.

"Yes, Lady Amina!"

The spirit's giant hand lunged forward—fingers open like scythes.

They launched.

WHOOSH!

Time slowed.

The carpet blasted forward with wind magic-fueled speed, dodging the grasping claws, orbiting around the clawed hand like a bolt of wind-borne lightning.

They were now within arm's reach of the gate—its energy howling like the cries of a thousand damned souls.

Aladdin shouted. "LADY AMINA—NOW!!"

Still gripping the carpet with her left hand, Amina threw the compass with her right. It spun through the chaos—

—and disappeared into the heart of the gate.

Then, with a swift twist of his hands, Aladdin maneuvered the magic carpet in a graceful arc, soaring upward toward the ceiling—just narrowly avoiding entering the gate.

The moment the compass entered into the gate, in the spirit realm, a strange reaction erupted.

WHOOOOM!!!

The air warped.

The giant spirit hand suddenly froze… then pulled back, retreating into the gate.

Amina's eyes widened. "It's… retreating?"

The gate remained open, but the spirits now swirled around the compass, as if drawn to it, desperate to reclaim something ancient, something vital.

Amina, gripping her chest nervously.

"I'm not sure what just happened… but now…"

"…now all we can do is hope Ryo defeats Malakar—and throws him in."

Aladdin solemnly nodded.

"Yeah… and only then… will the gate finally shut."

The wind howled around them, the spirits restless. The real ending… was coming.

While still flying on the magic carpet…

A sudden, earth-shaking BOOM erupted from outside the entrance of the chamber.

It echoed again—BOOM!

Then again.

And again.

Each shockwave rippled through the air like thunder made of fists.

Amina's eyes widened. "What was that?!"

Aladdin looked to the sealed entrance. "It's coming from outside… that has to be Sir and Malakar."

But the sounds were too loud, too violent.

Amina's stomach twisted. "What if… what if Ryo lost?"

Her hands pressed together in front of her lips as she whispered in prayer.

"Please, Ryo… be okay…"

And then—silence.

No more echoes. No more shaking.

Just silence.

Suddenly, the sealed entrance—the one cast by Malakar's magic—vanished like mist in the wind.

Aladdin, startled. "The barrier… it's gone?"

The silence lingered.

Then… slow, heavy footsteps echoed outside the chamber.

Tap… tap… tap…

The kind of sound that chilled the room—a lone figure walking out of battle.

Amina and Aladdin both stared at the entrance, nervous.

The silhouette stepped closer.

A shadow holding something.

Then—finally—he emerged. It was Ryo.

Beaten, bloodied, but standing tall.

And behind him—Ryo held Malakar by one of his twisted horns, the limp skull demon dragging behind like a discarded trophy, scraping across the floor like trash.

Amina's eyes lit up. "RYO!!"

Aladdin grinned, relieved. "SIR!"

Ryo wiped the sweat from his brow with a sigh. "That was one hell of a boss fight with this ugly moron…"

The magic carpet floated down gently as Aladdin and Amina landed beside him.

They both looked down at Malakar—his skull cracked, jaw fractured… yet still twitching with slow, sluggish regeneration.

Amina tilted her head. "Ryo, what was that loud booming sound outside the entrance? We could hear it all the way in here… it didn't sound like just regular attacks."

Ryo gave a crooked grin. "Oh, that? Well… I got a little pissed off."

He nudged Malakar's head with his shoes.

"Even with no hands or legs left, he was still talking crap in his demon roar gibberish, so I gave his skull a nice final smack. Just for me, you know? Gotta blow off some steam."

Aladdin chuckled nervously. "So that's why his skull's cracked…"

Amina's eyes sparkled with realization. "Then… the barrier disappeared because you defeated him."

Ryo nodded, panting slightly. "Exactly. That seal was tied to his will. No more will, no more seal."

Suddenly—Malakar groaned. A faint, pathetic noise escaped his fractured jaw.

"Uuuugggghhh…"

All three turned to look down at him.

His voice—faint, raspy, barely human. "Please… forgive me…"

The chamber fell silent.

Even the air seemed to pause.

Forgive?

After everything?

Ryo's eyes narrowed as he stared down at him, still holding onto the jagged horn like a leash.

His voice cold and sharp. "So you can finally talk now, huh…? Got a bit of your humanity back, fossil boy?"

None of them were impressed.

Not anymore.

Not after what he'd done.

Amina, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her eyes burning with pure hatred.

"Forgive you? Why the hell should we? You kidnapped me. You killed innocents. You tried to end the world."

Malakar coughed—weakly. "I… was… wrong… abou…t… everything…"

Aladdin's fist clenched, his whole body shook, unable to hold it in anymore.

And started shouting with rage.

"ARE YOU FOR REAL RIGHT NOW?!"

"You're seriously begging for forgiveness now? After everything?! After how many lives you sacrificed for your pathetic ancient grudge?! You don't get to ask for forgiveness!"

Malakar's voice trembled again, like a broken breath. "Please… forgive… me…"

Ryo grabbed Malakar by the horn and pulled him close—so close their faces nearly touched. His eyes were sharp, burning, unflinching.

Hid voice low and cold.

"Tell me, fossil boy… how did it feel?"

"How did it feel… stabbing Hania—your own wife—through the chest?"

Malakar's glowing pupils widened in shock. That name… Hania…

Even in his weakened, broken state… it hit him.

Ryo's grip tightened.

He hadn't forgotten. He couldn't.

He remembered it—all of it.

That dream-hop with Mr. Grim through time… Seeing Hania sleeping peacefully.

Then, watching her be sacrificed by Malakar's own hands.

All for that damn compass.

Ryo's heart had burned with helpless fury at that moment.

Not just as a detective.

But as someone who once swore to protect the innocent... a former cop.

He scoffed with disgust. "You killed your wife. Then kept on going. One sacrifice after another. And now you're… begging?"

Amina, arms trembling, her voice cracking with rage.

"You opened the gate of malevolent spirits, Malakar! You nearly destroyed everything! This kingdom… this world… AND YOU THINK SORRY IS ENOUGH?!"

Malakar, voice shaking. "I… know… I was… wrong… I'll change… please… show me… mercy…"

But it didn't sound like guilt, it sounded like fear.

Like someone trying to squirm free… not someone truly seeking forgiveness.

His tone wasn't desperate for redemption. Just desperate… to live.

As if surviving was all that mattered to him—regardless of the cost.

Ryo narrowed his eyes, reading him like an open case file.

"So that's it, huh? You want us to show mercy…"

"Let you fully regenerate…"

"Then you go right back to your revenge plan once your body's whole again?"

Malakar flinched, even in his broken state—he flinched.

BUSTED.

He tried to backpedal.

Quickly and weakly. "No… nooo… I promise… I won't do that…"

But the moment was already shattered.

Aladdin, fists shaking, his voice broke as hot tears rolled down his cheeks.

And shouted in grief.

"You KILLED Qasim!"

"He was like a brother to me… a good man… a loyal friend…My best comrade—GONE!

"And for what?!"

"Just to awaken that cursed compass?!"

Malakar, barely audible. "I'm… so…rry…"

Silence fell again.

Ryo didn't look at Malakar anymore.

He turned to Aladdin, voice firm and solemn. "Aladdin, I'll let you do the honors."

Aladdin looked at him, confused. "Sir… what do you mean?"

Ryo's crimson eyes met his, dead serious.

"Throw him into the gate. Avenge your friend, Qasim."

Aladdin gasped, his breath caught in his throat.

The weight of that moment hit like a stone wall, this wasn't just punishment.

It was justice.

Aladdin looked down at his hands, both of them trembling.

This… was it, his one chance to finally avenge Qasim.

He clenched his hands into fists, and slowly, he lifted his head and turned to Ryo.

Their eyes met, no words needed.

With a sharp, resolute gaze, Aladdin nodded—accepting the task.

He would be the one to throw Malakar into the Gate of Malevolent Spirits.

To cast him into hell!

Malakar, voice panicked and rising. "WAIT! WAIT—PLEASE! DON'T!!"

Amina, eyes narrowed with disgust.

"Oh, so now you've got energy again?"

"Or were you just pretending to be weak this whole time?"

Ryo scoffed and pulled Malakar up by his horn one last time. Then, without a word, he passed the broken villain into Aladdin's hands.

Aladdin received the monster in silence.

He turned to his magic carpet and climbed aboard, Malakar's head beside him—just a skull now, crowned with horns that no longer looked regal.

Only rotten.

Aladdin raised his hand. A soft wind stirred. The carpet hovered up.

Malakar, now screaming. "NO! NOOO! PLEASE—DON'T DO THIS, ALADDIN!"

Aladdin, low and cold.

"Don't you dare call my name."

"Shut your mouth… demon."

To him, Malakar was no longer a sorcerer. No longer even human.

Just a cursed wretch waiting for his sentence.

As the carpet slowly glided toward the gate, Aladdin's eyes darkened.

But inside… something broke.

He remembered…

The grueling training with Qasim.

The long marches under the blazing sun.

The laughter during shared meals, the jokes told during campfire nights.

Their victories. Their scars.

How Qasim would always pat his back and say. "We'll survive this. We always do."

Tears streamed freely down Aladdin's face.

He clenched his jaw. His grip on Malakar's horn tightened.

The gate loomed ahead.

Inside the Gate of Malevolent Spirits, the Vrakuls—those ancient, tormented entities—hovered ominously around the celestial compass.

Their forms twisted and swirled like shadows in water.

Then, as if sensing new prey, they turned…to the exit of the gate.

They saw Aladdin.

They saw Malakar.

And they began to move—slow, silent, gliding forward through the void to collect.

The carpet came to a halt, right in front of the cursed gate.

Malakar, desperate now. "PLEASE! I'LL DO ANYTHING! ANYTHING YOU WANT!"

Aladdin looked down at him, face half-shadowed, eyes filled with fire. "Anything…?"

Malakar, nodding furiously. "YES! YES! JUST SPARE ME!"

A beat of silence.

Aladdin, his voice cold as the grave. "Then please… suffer."

Malakar panicking. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

With a furious cry, Aladdin threw Malakar forward with all his might—gripping the horn and tossing him like cursed garbage into the swirling void.

Aladdin, roaring from the depths of his soul. "THIS IS FOR QAAAAAAAAASIIIIIIIIIIIIM!!!"

Malakar screamed in horror as his body flew into the gate.

The Vrakuls surged, catching him mid-air.

And then— they drifted back.

Tearing into his body, ripping it apart limb by limb—even though no limbs remained.

They violated his essence, shredding his skull, his soul into pieces, over and over and over.

Malakar, screaming in endless agony. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

The Gate began to tremble… and slowly began to close.

Aladdin pulled the carpet back, hovering just out of reach.

His eyes locked on Malakar's form one last time.

There would be no mercy. No escape. No end.

Malakar would regenerate… only to be ripped apart again.

An eternal cycle of suffering.

Just like he had inflicted on others—sacrificing them for his twisted, centuries-old revenge.

As the gate sealed shut with a deep, echoing boom, Aladdin's eyes didn't blink. Didn't soften.

Only burned with the fire of vengeance satisfied.

Malakar was gone.

And this time… He wasn't coming back.

The sinister clouds that loomed over Al-Munira—black and laced with eerie streaks of purple light—began to disperse.

The darkness that once smothered the kingdom like a curse now unraveled into rays of sunlight breaking through the sky.

One by one, beams of golden warmth touched the earth, painting the city in light once again.

The citizens of Al-Munira, once paralyzed by fear, slowly looked up.

Their breath caught. It was over.

Murmurs became cries of joy. People clutched each other. Children wept into their parents' arms.

Laughter returned to the streets—fragile, but real.

At the royal palace, at the rooftop, Shahira remained in the embrace of her parents, King Malik and Queen Zafira.

They had been bracing for the worst.

But now… the light was back.

King Malik pulled away from Shahira and gazed up at the sky, his voice trembling with emotion.

"The dark clouds are gone…"

Queen Zafira also looked up at the sky, her hands still clutched to Shahira's shoulders.

"Could it be… they did it?"

They looked to each other with stunned relief, then pulled Shahira into a tight embrace.

Their eyes welled up—not with fear, but gratitude.

Shahira's lip trembled as tears fell freely down her cheeks while she looked up at the bright sky. But this time, they were not born from despair.

Breathless and smiling through her tears. "Ryo… Amina… thank god…They're alive."

Back inside the Black Pyramid's chamber...

With the cursed gate now sealed shut, and Malakar's screams fading into silence, Aladdin guided his magic carpet slowly back toward the chamber's entrance where Ryo and Amina stood waiting.

As he landed and stepped off, his expression was firm—but lighter than it had been in days.

Ryo, smirking. "Feeling satisfied, Aladdin?"

Aladdin exhaled deeply, that familiar determined fire in his eyes now at peace.

"Yes, sir. I finally got to avenge Qasim. I couldn't have done it without you."

Ryo, waving a hand with a grin. "Awww Don't start giving me credit, if it weren't for you, we wouldn't have even found the gate in time—"

But mid-sentence, Ryo suddenly flinched—his eyes widened, body tensing.

He grabbed his head in pain, stumbling backward until he collapsed onto the cold stone floor with a thud.

Amina, panicked. "Ryo!"

Aladdin, kneeling beside him. "Hang on—are you okay?! We need to get you to the hospital!"

But something was happening.

Right before their eyes, Ryo's crimson-empowered trench coat shimmered and shifted—its mystical energy fading until it returned to the plain gray fabric of a normal coat.

The gun in his trench coat, once transformed into a high-powered weapon, had now reverted to its standard form. The hovering crimson sniper scope over his right eye dissolved into sparks.

His supernatural crimson eyes faded back to their natural color. And all the power—the strength, the enhancements—were simply… gone.

Ryo had returned to what he once was… A regular detective.

Amina stared, stunned. "You… you look like you lost all your superpowers!"

Ryo groaned, hand still rubbing his temple, but smiled weakly.

"Yeah… looks like my deal's done."

"No more power-ups. But hey—I'm still breathing."

Amina tilted her head in confusion. "Deal…?"

Aladdin, concerned. "You sure you're okay, sir?"

Ryo, sitting up slowly with a tired grin. "I'm alright. Just feels like I got hit by a truck, that's all."

But then—

Without warning, something swirled into existence in the middle of the stone bridge—a vortex of deep crimson energy, spinning in place and humming with power.

Amina and Aladdin stepped back, eyes wide—Aladdin gripping his sword, ready.

From within the vortex emerged a towering figure—one cloaked in ancient, regal darkness.

A colossal being with a skeletal form shrouded in crimson robes, his presence like a silent storm.

It was Mr. Grim—the former Ancient Jinn himself.

Aladdin drew his blade in instinct, standing in front of Ryo protectively.

Amina, tense. "Is that…?"

Aladdin, sword raised, shouted. "Get back, Sir! The Ancient Jinn has appeared again!"

But Ryo remained seated, raising a hand calmly.

Ryo, gently. "It's alright, that's Mr. Grim… He's the one who pulled me out of the abyss. The one who gave me the power to stop Malakar."

Amina, eyes squinting, pointing at Mr. Grim. "You mean… that Ancient Jinn?!"

Aladdin confused, also pointing at Mr. Grim. "That terrifying floating skeleton thing Malakar summoned?!"

Ryo, shaking his head. "No, no, no—see, that's just his villain name. I rebranded him. You know… for the sake of team morale."

Amina in disbelief. "You… renamed the Ancient Jinn?"

Ryo, nodding proudly.

"Yup, Mr. Grim. Way more chill. You can't open up to someone called 'The Ancient Jinn'—that sounds like a death-metal band that screams in Latin and only tours during natural disasters."

"But Mr. Grim? He's like your oddball uncle who shows up uninvited, hands you weird wisdom, and somehow already knows your childhood trauma and rising sign."

Aladdin, to himself, stunned. "He… really gave death a nickname."

Mr. Grim watched their ridiculous exchange, letting out a long, exaggerated sigh as he slowly facepalmed—bony fingers dragging down his skull in silent despair… partly because of Ryo's terrible naming skills, which, unfortunately, he was now stuck with.

Then, he pulled his bony hands away from his facepalm and looked down at Ryo, his voice as deep as thunder echoing through a canyon.

"Congratulations… on defeating Malakar, mortal detective."

Ryo stood up, rubbing the back of his neck, gave a tired smile and looked up.

"Hey, it's thanks to you, Mr. Grim."

"Couldn't have done it without the power-up."

Mr. Grim: "Our pact is now fulfilled. From this moment forth, we are no longer bound. No more bargains. No more ties. The power once bestowed upon you… has returned to me—its rightful bearer."

Ryo shrugged with a wry grin. "Yeah, looks like I'm back to solving normal cases no one cares about… with coffee that tastes like regret."

(Note from author with an evil smirk: "Normal cases, huh? Ohhh no. You have no idea what's coming, Ryo.")

[Far, far away… a single glass slipper shimmered under the moonlight—untouched, unclaimed, and pulsing faintly with magic.]

Back to the story…

Behind Ryo, Amina and Aladdin remained still—standing silently, eyes locked on the towering ancient being.

To them, Mr. Grim was a force of death incarnate—unfathomable, haunting, godlike.

And yet… Ryo talked to him like they were old colleagues.

Mr. Grim, after a pause.

"Before I take my leave… there is one final offering I wish to bestow upon you. Not as part of our bargain… but as a parting gift."

Ryo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A gift…?"

Mr. Grim slowly raised one hand—his long skeletal fingers unfurling. His palm faced upward, curling as a shimmer formed above it.

Light began to pulse from his palm—dim at first, then glowing brighter, more radiant.

Something began to take shape.

A figure… no, a soul.

Blue and translucent, it floated upward with gentle grace. Its form was human, though ethereal. It looked peaceful—smiling, waving gently at Ryo, Aladdin, and Amina.

Aladdin blinked, confused. "What… what's going on?"

Mr. Grim's voice was low but soft—almost gentle.

"That… is a soul—one of many. Countless lives, sacrificed by Malakar throughout the centuries in his dark pursuit of vengeance. Their souls were drawn into my presence… bound within me until the curse was finally broken."

Amina, gasping. "WHAT?!"

But before the shock could settle, more lights began to appear.

Hundreds… then dozens…

Then thousands of radiant blue souls rose from the shadows of the chamber.

They shimmered like stars beneath the moonlight—some from long in history, others recent. Souls from across the ages… children, elders, entire families clinging together, their lights still bound in quiet remembrance.

Their presence filled the air with a weightless warmth, like a summer breeze in the dead of night.

The once-dark pyramid was now lit with gentle luminescence—like constellations brought down to earth.

The souls glided gently upward, drifting through the air in graceful spirals—swirling above the group below in a luminous dance of light.

Mr. Grim: "Now that Malakar has been cast into eternal torment, the bindings upon them are broken. These lost souls are free. They shall now ascend—and at long last, find peace."

Ryo stared in awe, his breath catching in his throat as he whispered. "Whoa…"

Tears welled in Amina's eyes. Even Aladdin, hardened by vengeance, could only stare in quiet awe.

One of the souls slowed its ascent, drifting gently to float in front of Ryo. It lingered there, its glow pulsing softly—like a heartbeat. For a moment, the world felt still.

Then, in a voice like a fading breeze, the soul whispered. "Thank you."

Ryo blinked, stunned by the gentle words. A warmth spread through his chest. He offered the soul a small, genuine smile, then exhaled slowly, voice barely above a whisper.

"...You're welcome."

As the glowing souls continued their gentle ascent toward the heavens, one among them broke formation and slowly glided downward.

It hovered quietly… floating before Aladdin.

Aladdin's breath caught in his throat as his eyes widened—his entire body froze.

The soul shimmered softly in a pale blue light, his features clear now…

It was him… Qasim.

His comrade. His brother-in-arms. His friend.

Aladdin's voice trembled, barely more than a whisper as tears welled in his eyes.

"Q… Q-Qasim… is that… is that you?"

Qasim gave a familiar smile—the same playful tilt of his head, the same warmth in his eyes that Aladdin knew so well.

Without thinking, Aladdin lunged forward, arms outstretched.

"QASIM! I MISSED YOU!!"

But he passed right through him.

Qasim's form wavered slightly as Aladdin stumbled forward, gasping.

He wasn't solid. He was a soul. A memory.

Untouchable now.

Qasim chuckled softly, his voice as kind as ever.

"Sorry, buddy… you can't hug me anymore, I gotta go rest now."

Aladdin took a shaky step forward, tears flowing freely now, staining his cheeks as he tried to smile through it.

"Yeah… yeah, I get it, just… be safe up there, alright?"

"Watch over us… from heaven."

Qasim floated closer, and for a moment—just a moment—he placed a glowing hand on Aladdin's shoulder. And somehow… it didn't pass through. It stayed solid… Just long enough.

"Come on, man… don't cry, I need you to promise me something, alright?"

"Take care of the others, keep everyone safe, and live a long, full life—for me, since I didn't get the chance to."

Aladdin nodded, wiping his face.

Qasim gave a soft, wistful laugh. "Guess I always left before the party ended, huh?"

Aladdin laughed through his tears, voice cracking.

"Yeah… you always had the worst timing. We'll do it. I promise. And… farewell, my friend."

Qasim gave him one last smile—gentle, proud—and began to rise again.

He turned his gaze one last time, looking at Aladdin, Amina, and Ryo.

He waved.

They watched in silence.

And then, he rose, graceful as starlight—ascending with the other souls to the afterlife, finally at peace.