The western wind blew gently through the forest.
Leon crouched atop a towering pine overlooking the Phoenix Kingdom one final time.
Below...
The kingdom continued its daily routine.
Its walls remained secure.
Its soldiers disciplined.
Its people prosperous.
Everything Commander Sam had hoped to learn...
They had learned.
---
A soft whistle drifted through the trees.
Leon disappeared from the branch.
Moments later, he landed beside Runa.
She finished rolling up the last of George's maps.
Every patrol route...
Every gate...
Every watchtower...
Every banner...
Every observation had been carefully recorded.
Runa secured the maps inside a waterproof leather case.
"I think we've seen enough."
Leon nodded.
"Our mission is complete."
Neither of them had been discovered.
That alone made the mission a complete success.
---
Inside Leon's mind...
His System spoke.
Primary Objective Complete.
Return to Commander recommended.
---
Runa looked once more toward the distant crimson banners.
"The Phoenix Kingdom..."
"I have a feeling this won't be the last time we see them."
Leon quietly replied,
"No."
"It won't."
---
Together...
The two scouts turned east.
Without another glance behind them...
They vanished into the forest.
---
For six days...
They traveled almost without rest.
They crossed roaring rivers.
Scaled towering cliffs.
Avoided powerful monster territories.
Whenever danger appeared...
Leon found another route.
Whenever food became scarce...
Runa's arrows never missed their mark.
The journey home passed in perfect coordination.
Years of fighting together had forged an unspoken understanding between them.
---
On the morning of the seventh day...
The forest began to change.
Ancient emerald trees replaced the western pines.
Broken stone roads appeared beneath thick moss.
Runa smiled.
"We're back in the Emerald Wildlands."
Leon suddenly stopped.
His eyes swept across the forest.
"...Someone's here."
Instantly...
Both disappeared into cover.
Silence.
Only the sound of leaves moving overhead.
Then...
A familiar voice echoed through the trees.
"Leon?"
"Runa?"
Ben stepped out from the undergrowth with several Vanguard soldiers.
The moment he recognized them, a broad grin spread across his face.
"I knew it!"
"You two actually made it back."
Runa laughed softly.
"Were you expecting us not to?"
Ben shrugged.
"With you two?"
"I never know."
---
Kael emerged a moment later, resting the Frost King's Spear across his shoulder.
"Mira's been checking those tracking pendants every day."
"She'll be happy to see you."
Runa smiled.
"I told her we'd come back."
---
Ben pointed deeper into the ruins.
"The Commander is waiting."
"You've got a lot to report."
Leon gave a single nod.
"And I think..."
"...he's found something even bigger."
The four generals exchanged curious looks before walking together toward the heart of the forgotten Titan city.
Far ahead...
Beyond towering stone streets and ancient forges...
A faint golden light rose into the sky.
The Titan Kingdom...
Was preparing to reveal another of its long-buried secrets.
And for the first time since leaving the Silver Kingdom...
Base 101's generals stood together once again.