The rift’s power saps away my strength. I fall to the floor as melting puddle, barely able to inch forward. The other RiftRippers do the same.

Is it safe to cross over? And if Tumble is gone…should I go with Annie?

Annie stands up despite her broken bones. Tears are in her eyes. “She’s not gone. I can feel her. I can’t leave without her. My little sister is out there.”

The clever Archivos walks up to her. “Wow! It’s incredible meeting you in person! Your mother sends her warm wishes.” He embraces my darling song.

Annie weakly holds onto him. “My mother. She sent you here to rescue me?”

“Never met her just wanted a hug.” He grabs her hand. “I went through quite a bit of trouble to get this portal purified. And honestly I’ve only done this once before so I’m nervous.” He scratches his head.

The other Archivos looks up at him. “Crossing over is forbidden! Archivos’ must remain where they are stationed!”

“When something is forbidden, it just makes me all the more curious. You wouldn’t understand. You and the other Archivos are bound by your own system. You’ll never gain ultimate knowledge if you’re weighed down by rules and morals.”

“Then why not come back to change the system?”

“I was cast out! If I ever return it will be to bring those uppity scholars crashing down!”

“We will track you down and kill you! I’d kill you right now if I wasn’t wounded.”

The clever Archivos reaches into his bag and shoves a mushroom in the boy’s mouth. “You won’t remember anything that happened today. If you don’t find some swamp muck to dilute the effects, you’ll keep forgetting until you no longer remember how to breathe.”

The wounded Archivos runs off with tears in his eyes, leaving a bloody trail.

My Annie goes up and heals him. “You’ll be okay now.”

He pushes her away and runs off.

The clever Archivos laughs heartily. “I think he actually bought what I said about the swamp muck. People will believe anything when they’re afraid.”

Racheal holds Braven’s hands, which like him are now normal sized. “If we run away, who will stand up against ISEKAI?”

“That’s not our problem anymore.”

White Knight tosses a rock at Braven and then catches it. “You’ve led so many women to their death. And now, you’re going to just let their deaths be in vain? How dare you call yourself a hero.”

Braven grips his face. “I’ve been chasing a shadow so long that I’ve become a shadow of my former self. It’s true. But let’s be honest. There never was a chance at stopping ISEKAI. They control everything. The game where heroes are pawns will go on until humanity is extinct. I’m tired of fighting it.” He grabs Racheal and kisses her deeply, shedding tears. “We’ll go to Earth and come back with a whole army!”

Teacher points to the portal. “It won’t stay stable for much longer.”

I hold Annie as my body falls apart, no longer remembering the form it once had. “BunBun died so you could be saved. Please, go. I beg you.”

“You have to come with.”

“I’ll find Tumble.”

“That’s not your job!”

Braven releases Racheal from the kiss and they walk together to the portal.

Racheal blushes, looking up at him. “When we married, at that village overrun with zombies.”

“That’s not the proper name, my dear.”

“Yeah. But they were zombies. We said our vows to each other as we fought and then when the battle was over, we got our wedding tats.” She giggles. “It was the most amazing day of my life. I told you I’d follow you anywhere. If you’re really sure…that you want to leave this place and go back home.” She kisses his lips. “Then I’ll go.” She turns to Annie. “You can come with us if you want. But I’ve made up my mind.”

“I never deserved you. But I always loved you.” Water leaks from Braven’s hands. He releases Racheal and then sends her into the portal with a blast of water.

He dries his eyes, making his face even more wet. “I’ll join you when the last angel dies.” He turns his violent energy at Annie.

Annie looks between the portal and me.

The portal distorts and flickers.

“I…don’t know what to do,” my angel cries in her little hands.

Neither do I.

Braven lifts her up.

White Knight rushes after him and I will my body forward.

“Keep her warm.” Braven tosses Annie into the portal.

“Is the battle over?” asks Gloom.

The Archivos looks to Braven. “If you know about the portal, then the other Archivos will find out.”

Braven turns away. “There’s no hiding things from your kind. I have to end myself. You have to kill us all, don’t you? Don’t see how you’re going to manage.”

The Archivos goes to the Huntress and offers her a MemShroom.

“Is gift?” she asks, surprise changing her posture.

The Archivos nods and approaches Braven. “The secret of this portal and how to open it must never be discovered.”

“Then how will I meet with her?” asks Braven.

“You won’t. You’ll die in a battle beyond your capabilities. But is that really so bad?”

Braven radiates a little joy and takes the MemShroom. “I suppose not. The RiftRippers will forget on their own. Leave me some. I’ll give it to the others.”

“To think you would be so helpful.” The Archivos hands him his whole sack of MemShrooms. He then pulls one out. “Best to be prepared.” The Archivos stares at the portal, waits for the final flicker and then enters.

There goes my last chance. She’s only been gone a moment and yet the whole world feels dark.