DarkTaoAngel: I was surprised by how many people suggested that I make a fourth chapter. I was not intending on it, but I can not let my fans down! This will more than likely be the last chapter to this story, unless someone requests otherwise!
Ren was so distraught by Pirika's death that he was prepared to kill himself right then, but there was something holding him back. She had given him a reason to live, to bring her back to the world of the living, so that they could be together always. There was only one way to see her at that point in time, and he would not even have to be the Shaman King.
The others found out about Pirika, and Horo was the most devastated, other than Ren. They spent days thinking of plans to resurrect her, but there was only one way, and they all knew that it would cost them something in return.
Anna would never let them use her services without doubling, even tripling, their training, but it was something that they could deal with. Ren was glad that there a way for them to be together at last, but even Anna could not promise them anything.
After much consideration Anna told them that she would help them and, on that day when she would perform that task, it was all down to her prowess at being an itako that counted.
She chanted spells, recited sutras, and called forth all of the power that she could, but in the end even she could do nothing.
Everyone was shocked by the fact that Anna had finally admitted defeat, but what was more, Pirika was gone, too far gone to come back.
Ren too had admitted defeat to himself, but never to what of Pirika he had left. She was with him, wherever he was, in his heart. And that was what made him try harder, to become the Shaman King and bring back her soul.
The tournament was back on, and all of the shamans fought their hardest, especially Ren, who had a true reason to work for it, and he never gave up.
Though Anna said that the reason she could not be brought back was because her body was far too mangled and her soul was permanently gone from this world, Ren did not try to argue as he would have normally.
He never gave up on Pirika, intrusting all of his hope on becoming Shaman King, but it all seemed too far off to achieve. He tried, and won most every competition that was given to him, and he made his way up to the finals.
Though this was the test to see if he was strong enough to do something this tough, there was still the hope that, even if he lost, she would be there for him.
He kept trying, just for her, and only the future could decide whether or not he would get the satisfaction of achieving what he set out to do. Only time would tell whether it was really meant to be….
'Wherever he was, she would be there, in his heart, and her presence would make him strong.'
DarkTaoAngel: Sorry if you were all expecting a spectacular ending, one which I could not give you. I wrote this very fast, so I might revise it later, or just make a completely new one. I hope that I get some reviews anyway, as I want some thoughts on this chapter too!