As I stared at the massive announcement hovering over the center of the coliseum, I could only think…
"I really did it."
In a single second, the world was flooded with light. Particles danced around me, and for the first time, I found myself standing once more before the mirror, facing forward—victorious. The pain in my ankle vanished instantly; it was intact, healthy, alive. Naturally, I smiled to myself.
—I wasn't wrong about you, rookie —Manuela said. She had been completely healed. Her dress looked brand new, spotless after the battle—. Though I admit I thought you were lying about your reputation. You owe me no lies… and I owe you an apology. Just like him.
She pointed at Antonio, who stood a few steps away from us, arms crossed.
—Yeah, me too. It's not easy to trust someone without weapons or prestige… but you shut us up. You almost reminded me of the old days, kid.
—Don't worry, honestly, my adventures have been kind of—
—Sons of bitches!
A deep, energetic voice burst out behind them, cutting off my excuse. In perfect condition and brimming with energy, Simón Bolívar, the Liberator, strode confidently toward us and pulled us into a warm embrace.
—Forget it. What matters is that we're still here —I replied, squeezed between them, trying to sound humble.
—No "forget it" —Bolívar exclaimed—. You're a great man, boy. I don't know what kind of magic you pulled back there, but you must've been a remarkable strategist in life for the system to favor you this much. Be proud.
"A great man… if only you knew."
The Liberator finally loosened his grip and stood beside Manuela. Seeing them like that, I felt a strange warmth bloom in my chest. Approval, maybe? Receiving such words from one of history's great figures carried weight.
—Though it's no surprise —Manuela added, leaning affectionately against Bolívar—. He was a great general too, just like you, dear. He fought in the wars of the Ice Emblem… was that it?
"Of course, ma'am. Ice Emblem, the legend of Eiran, and above all, the Kingdom of the Stars."
Naturally, I hid that behind a stiff, foolish smile. Who would want to know the truth about my second life as a general behind a keyboard?
[Removed from the system: José María Morelos y Pavón].
Silence fell like a hammer across the hall. Manuela frowned and buried her face in Bolívar's chest. He looked away, while Antonio clenched his fists.
—It was an honor to meet you —Bolívar murmured.
—Well, that's another one gone —Axio said, popping up beside me as if fired from a bubble gun.
—What do you mean by "removed"? —I asked the little creature. He turned to me with an indignant, incredulous look.
—You really have no idea, do you? …He couldn't pay for his resurrection. That's all.
"He couldn't pay… so that means… he went back to the day of his execution."I swallowed instinctively, the image of the oncoming bullet train flashing through my mind.
Morelos had been a fundamental figure in Mexican independence, as important and relevant as Bolívar—perhaps. Yet at the end of his life, he was excommunicated and executed. Imagining him right now, facing gunfire, reliving that final moment only to die again—whether riddled with bullets or bleeding out shortly after—made my blood run cold. A subtle reminder of where I was standing.
A deep unease spread throughout my body. Honestly, this is what awaits all heroes: to die, to fight, and to die again for the promise of nothing.
—Don't make that face —Axio said calmly—. You and everyone you've met were already dead before coming here. This is just a stop along the way before crossing over.
—That's true —Manuela sighed, lowering her gaze—. In fact… if we hadn't won, we'd be the ones up on that screen.
Antonio simply nodded with his eyes closed.
"This is just a stop, my ass."
—Wait! —I blurted out—. Axio, you said "the other side." So there is life after death? What's beyond the Nexo? Why is there a Nexo to begin with? Who runs it? God? Buddha? Allah? Fate?
I won't deny it—I unloaded all my frustration onto the little axolotl. He went from surprised to visibly tired of it, and with a small wave of his paw, he silenced the room.
—Don't get intense, human. The Nexo is just a second chance to fight alongside your legacy. If your story isn't worth telling, you're forgotten. That's it.
For some reason, the word "victory" suddenly tasted bitter.
I clenched my teeth at his words. This "game" toyed with its participants—people who, despite meeting tragic ends, now laughed, bonded, and joked together, all while knowing that sooner or later, they would die again.
"This is unfair."
—There's our champion! —Paul said, slapping me on the back hard enough to nearly knock me over.
—First official victory —Gerónimo added—. And against the great Bolívar, no less. That's not something you see every day.
—Hello, Gerónimo. Paul. It's been a while —Bolívar said, extending his hand. The three exchanged a firm handshake.
—We just got lucky —I replied, standing up straight, trying to rein in my heated emotions.
—Lucky? —Paul raised an eyebrow—. Only if luck were a system stat.
—Haha, maybe I should start believing in myself a bit more.
—That's what I like to hear, kid —Manuela said, giving me a light pat.
—Thank you, everyone…