At night, Michael stood by the river, the sound of flowing water calm and endless. He washed his face, cold water running down his skin, his long glowing sword resting beside him on a smooth rock. The blade shone softly, stars faintly visible within its glow, as if the night sky itself lived inside the steel.
After finishing, he brushed his hair straight back, breathing slowly.
A voice reached his mind.
It was King Baldrick.
"Michael, thank you. You have defeated Vorthak. Now the Vastyrion Realm and the other realms have peace again."
Michael answered calmly, his tone neither cold nor proud.
"It is fine. This is my duty as the 10th Sentinel."
The mental connection faded.
In Aldervain Kingdom, the people celebrated.
Peace had returned once more.
Inside the palace, officials, nobles, and political figures gathered under King Baldrick's presence. He sat among them, eating simply, not indulging beyond what was needed. Music filled the halls. Pianos played softly while voices sang. Noble partners danced in the ballroom, children laughing as they moved between the crowd.
Fred, now eighteen and already a captain of the troops, stood among senior officers. Though young, his presence carried weight. His sister Bella was in the ballroom with her friends, listening as the king prepared to speak.
When Baldrick raised his hand, the hall slowly fell silent.
"Peace has come to us again," he said. "To the Vastyrion Realm and to the other realms beyond this one. Tonight, we celebrate. Yet we must remember that demons will return someday. That is the nature of existence."
The crowd listened closely.
"But as long as we stand together, as long as we do not lose hope, evil will never truly win."
The hall erupted in applause. Music resumed. Dancing and laughter returned.
Outside the palace, the celebration spread through the city. People swam in rivers, fireworks lit the sky, and soldiers fired ceremonial cannons. Camps were filled with laughter, food, and shared stories. For one night, fear had loosened its grip.
From the shadows above, Michael watched.
A cloak and hood concealed his face. His sword rested inside a large brown garter, its glow hidden. He stood quietly, observing the joy below.
Behind him, footsteps approached.
Baldrick was already there.
He had known Michael would be.
The two stood side by side, calm and silent. Baldrick thanked him again, this time without words. Michael nodded and gently tapped the king's shoulder.
Below them, life moved freely. People ate, played chess, children ran with burning sticks spinning in circles, soldiers laughed around their camps, and guards relaxed atop towers. No one noticed the two figures standing high above, watching over everything.
"It is good, isn't it?" Michael asked softly.
Baldrick smiled. "Absolutely. Even knowing peace is not forever, they still celebrate. They still hope."
Michael looked up as the wind brushed past them.
"I will leave this realm," he said. "There is more beyond this. I will investigate and stop threats before they reach here."
Baldrick nodded. "I am working on a new potion," he said. "One that will allow me to ascend to greater strength, speed, endurance, and adaptive abilities. It is not perfect, but I do not want this realm to rely on you alone."
Michael turned to him. "I trust you, Baldrick. You are a strong king, determined and wise. I have wondered why the Higher Being did not grant you greater power. Your conviction may be stronger than mine."
Baldrick smiled calmly. "I do not need it. The Higher Being has a plan. There is a reason you are the 10th Sentinel."
Michael stepped back.
"I am leaving now," he said. "The Vastyrion Realm will be in your hands. Are you ready?"
Baldrick met his gaze without hesitation. "I am."
Michael raised his hand. The air opened, space and time glowing as a portal formed.
He looked at Baldrick one last time.
"See you soon, my friend."
Then Michael was gone, and the portal closed.
Baldrick's long hair moved with the wind as he continued to watch the people below, smiling.
Vorthak was dead. Peace had returned once more.
And somewhere beyond this realm, Michael had already begun walking toward the next unknown.