Everyone was cheering. We had finally done it. The suffering had come to an end. Takumi came running at me and jumped into my arms. I almost collapsed under his weight, but I could manage. The rest of the army soon gathered around us. Xander and Ryoma held their hands up in the air as a sign of victory. They shook hands with the other royals and ordered everyone to move out. Just as we were about to take our leave, a purple light emerged from Anankos. His voice sounded through the castle:

"DEXTER... THANK YOU. I AM FINALLY FREE. MY MIND WAS IN TORMENT, BUT YOU MANAGED TO BREAK ME FROM THIS ETERNAL CURSE."

I was confused. Why was he this friendly all of a sudden?

"Anankos, what is this? Explain yourself!"

"THERE IS NO NEED FOR HOSTILITY. I SHALL EXPLAIN MY STORY."

"LONG AGO, BEFORE THE KINGDOMS OF HOSHIDO AND NOHR WERE FORMED, I BELONGED TO A RACE OF DRAGONS WHO HELPED SHAPE THE WORLD, CALLED THE FIRST DRAGONS. TWO HUMANS, WHO WOULD LATER FORM HOSHIDO AND NOHR, WERE GRANTED THE POWER OF MY BROTHERS. THE DUSK DRAGON, AND THE FALL DRAGON. THE HUMANS SPREAD THIS POWER AMONG THEIR PEOPLE, AND THRIVED AS A RESULT. ONCE THEY GRANTED THIS POWER HOWEVER, MY BROTHERS PASSED ON. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE HUMANS SEEKED MY POWER AND HELP WHEN SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I GRANTED THEM EVERY WISH, BUT I ASKED THEM TO AID ME WHEN THE TIME CAME. ONE DAY, WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS VALLA WAS UNDER ATTACK FROM UNKNOWN SOURCES. I BEGGED THE HUMANS TO HELP ME, BUT THEY NEVER CAME. FILLED WITH RAGE, I WIPED OUT THE INVADERS, AS WELL AS NEARLY ALL HUMANS. I WAS DRIVEN TO MADNESS. I KNEW WHAT I WAS DOING WAS WRONG, AND SO I CREATED KONAS, WITH THE INTENTION OF FINDING SOMEONE WHO COULD STOP ME, FREE ME. SO HE CAME TO YOUR WORLD, WHERE HE FOUND YOU. I ALSO WROTE A SONG TO CALM ME DOWN, WHICH IS THE SONG YOU AND THE BLUE HAIRED HUMANS SUNG."

I was almost paralyzed. This was a lot to take in.

"So you went to all this trouble, finding me, writing a song and getting everyone together, so you could stop... yourself?"

"YES, AND YOU SUCCEEDED. AS SUCH, I WANT TO THANK YOU BY GRANTING YOU A WAY HOME."

I was both overjoyed and stressed out. This was it. This was the time. The time to decide what would happen with Takumi and me. The purple light grew in size, and eventually formed something that looked like a portal. Seemed fitting enough, I suppose.

"EVERYONE, THANK YOU FOR HELPING. MAY WE MEET AGAIN, IN ANOTHER LIFE..."

Anankos vanished.

I looked around me. I could feel the tension in the air, and I knew what had to be done. I had to return home. To my family, my friends. To the people I knew. Then again, I had gotten to know the people here very well too. I was also their prince now. They had trust in me. But I had to go back.

''Everyone, I'm afraid the time has finally come for me to say goodbye. Ever since I got here, I was greeted with open arms. My time here has had its ups and downs, but it has been a pleasure being here, and it will be an experience I shall carry with me forever. Every single on of you has my deepest gratitude.''

Ryoma came forward.

''Dexter, I must admit, I'm sad to see you go. However, please take this, and everything you have with you as a gift. Me, Sakura, Hinoka and Takumi knew you might have to go after our battle was done, so we made this for you.''

It was a necklace, with small wooden beads on it. It was minimalistic, but I loved it.

''Thank you Ryoma, Sakura, Hinoka, Takumi. I shall treasure it always.''

Sakura broke out into tears, and it made me very emotional as well. I looked to the ground. I tried to keep it in, but I let one tear roll down my cheek. I was very sensitive to saying good-bye. It was the one thing in life that I hated the most. I didn't like adjusting to live without people I'd grown to love, it always felt like something was missing. Suddenly, I felt a warm hand wipe away my tear.

Takumi.

When I felt his hand, I broke down even more. I was being torn apart by two different worlds. I didn't want the love of my life to never see his family again by going with me, but at the same time, I wouldn't be able to live without him.

''Dex... don't cry. Smile for me okay? You look the best when you do.''

That comment made me laugh, but it didn't make things easier. I knew now was the time.

''Dex, I know what you're thinking, but my mind's made up.''

''But you'll never be able to see them again. I can't let you do that for me. Look at me. I'm going to step through that portal, and I'm gonna go home. I wouldn't even do the same for you. Why would you do something like that for someone as selfish as me? You deserve better.''

''I don't mind. I don't want to be with someone better, if that person even exists. I just want to be with you.''

I looked up at Xander, and he nodded his head. Clearly he was with Takumi. I let out a deep sigh.

''Takumi, are you sure? You really won't be able to go back. My world is completely different from yours, you're going to have much to learn.''

''I'm sure, Dexter. I truly am. Besides, you had to learn a lot about our world too, and right now, you look and act like one of us. I'm sure everything will be fine.''

Takumi gave me a kiss, with everyone cheering around us. It seems they were in agreement too. Takumi turned towards his siblings, and gave all of them a hug before he came to my side again. I wanted the royals' permission, so I decided to ask one last time.

''Ryoma, Sakura, Hinoka. Are you sure you're okay with this? If even one of you is not, I will not allow Takumi to go with me.''

Sakura decided to speak:

''Dexter, please. Don't worry, us and Takumi have spoken about this for a long time. We all agree. I am going to miss both of you very much.''

Sakura ran to me and Takumi and grabbed us by the waist. We could hear her sobbing, but we had to be strong now. This is what they all wanted. Short after, Sakura let us go, and Takumi and I walked toward the portal. We turned around one last time. Ryoma called out to us:

''Dexter, and my brother Takumi. I hope you will be happy together, wherever you both may go. I will hold hope, that one day, I will get to look you in the eyes, and hold you. I hope you will as well.''

Takumi and I both nodded.

''Then, I wish you safe travels and...

May we meet again.''

My tears broke out again, but I turned around to face the portal, and without looking back, Takumi and I stepped inside. One by one, Ryoma, Xander, Camilla, Elise, Sakura, Hinoka, Corrin, Azura, Shigure and the rest of the world around us faded away.