"You're ready now, my children." After days of intense training and coordination, Master Shen looked at his two disciples with joy. "And what about me, master?" Makoto had also been working on developing her skills. "You too, Makoto. You've all done great work. Now, we can share this hopeful news with the others." The three students followed the master.
"My dear friends, I have gathered you all here because I have some good news to share."
"Master Shen, we're all ears. Please, share the good news with us."
"Come, my students." Kenshin and Yasushi knelt on either side of the master.
"OR IS IT..." The crowd was excited. The thought that had been kept from them for so long, the extinguishing of the lights of hope...
"Hahaa, it seems I couldn't hide it very well; you all seem to have guessed it right away. Yes, two chosen ones are among us. Kenshin and Yasushi, they will bring us back to our former days."
"KENSHIN, YASUSHI, KENSHIN, YASUSHI..." The crowd was ecstatic in a way Kenshin had never expected. This region was completely different from the others. There was no prejudice against the chosen ones.
"Master Shen, how about a celebration for this?"
"Hahaa, of course. Finally, these lands will return to their former order. You start preparing. I'm sure my students will take care of everything until you're ready. They will defeat the darkness and return."
"We trust in you, chosen ones." Kenshin and Yasushi smiled as they looked at the people in front of them.
Master Shen turned around and placed his hands on the shoulders of his two students. "Let me see you, my children. I would have liked to prepare a farewell ceremony for you, but the sooner we get rid of the darkness, the better."
"Don't worry, master. We'll defeat Yu and take our swords back from him."
"We'll erase the darkness from this world, master, don't worry." Kenshin was undecided about taking the swords. After all, was there still a need for the chosen ones? This question was too complex for him to answer. He would think about it after defeating Yu.
"Hey, hey... what about me?" Makoto quickly ran up and grabbed Kenshin from behind. "I want to help Kenshin too." Kenshin turned around and stroked Makoto's hair. "Don't worry, Makoto, I can do this without you." He formed a sweet smile on his face. "Oh, come on, are you teasing me, Kenshin-chan?"
"Ah... no, I just needed you by my side for every mission, but now I've grown up and matured. Please, let me do this on my own, Makoto."
"My... Kenshin..." Makoto hugged Kenshin tightly with teary eyes. Kenshin still felt like he had just reunited with Makoto. They had been apart for so long that these few days hadn't been enough to quench his longing for her. His plan was to quickly defeat Yu and return to Makoto's side.
"Let's go, Kenshin." Yasushi placed his hand on Kenshin's shoulder. Kenshin looked at Yasushi. He could see the passion in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Makoto. I love you. I'll be back soon."
"Ah... okay-"
They both disappeared instantly. Makoto stood there frozen with wide eyes. "Hahaa, I guess you didn't get a proper goodbye, Makoto."
"It's okay..."
The master smiled and began walking towards the crowd. "Let's go, Makoto. Let's wait for Kenshin at the celebration area."
"Um... about that..."
The master stopped. "Ah... so you're going too."
"I'm sorry, I can't leave Kenshin alone. I can't lose him again."
"Ahahaa, I understand, my girl. Go ahead."
"Thank you, Master Shen." Makoto quickly started running towards the path leading to the sacred mountain.
"Show us, my children. Show us the unseen end." Master Shen, looking at the stone tablet with three different patterns on his attire, eagerly awaited the future in front of him.