Kaizoku and Sylphy, still asleep and holding each other, were finally awakened by Gabriel, who had successfully escaped Taki's world unharmed.
While shaking Kaizoku and Sylphy, Gabriel spoke in a panicked tone. "Sylphy, Sylphy! Kaizoku, wake up!"
Sylphy was the first to wake up, opening her eyes and looking at Gabriel, in a weak voice, Sylphy said. "Gabriel? Is that you?"
Sylphy tried to get up but failed due to the exhaustion and pain overwhelming her.
Gabriel helped Sylphy get up. Speaking with uncertainty, Gabriel said. "Sylphy... Eve... I saw Eve, I saw them take her away."
"The one Eve was fighting was the real Taki. She lost the fight in Taki's world."
Hearing Gabriel's words, Sylphy couldn't believe what she was hearing. "No... No! This is a lie, you're lying!"
Sylphy pushed Gabriel's hands away, attempting to walk. But it was futile—Sylphy was still weak and in pain.
She collapsed and began to cry. "No... Not Eve... She's too innocent for this..."
As Sylphy's tears fell onto the snow, Kaizoku woke up from his unconscious state. "Agh... My head..." Kaizoku rubbed his head, still in pain.
Gabriel noticed Kaizoku was awake. He quickly helped Kaizoku get up. "Kaizoku... Are you alright?" Gabriel asked in a worried tone.
And Kaizoku, still rubbing his head, replied with weak voice. "Yeah... I'm fine. What's going on?"
Sylphy and Gabriel looked at Kaizoku with sad expressions.
Eventually, Gabriel spoke, his voice heavy with sadness. "Kai... Eve, Eve couldn't defeat Taki. She and that strange katana took her away from here."
Shocked, Kaizoku immediately remembered the badge he had given her when they were at the cabin. "No... No! I have to save Eve. I have to make sure my apology badge still with her."
Once again, Gabriel stopped Kaizoku from running off alone. "Hold on, Kaizoku... We can't save Eve while we're still in this condition. We need to find a place to rest first before we can fight back."
After hearing Gabriel's reasoning, Kaizoku reluctantly accepted the fact that they were too weak to act immediately.
"Alright... Wait for me, Eve... I promise I'll save you." Kaizoku said with guilty feeling.
Kaizoku, Sylphy, and Gabriel then made their way down the freezing snow-covered mountain, heading toward the bustling village below.
The villagers watched Kaizoku, Sylphy, and Gabriel with concern, having heard rumors that the three of them had encountered the real Taki from Ebonlight.
Soon, they arrived at the village of Aetherforge, where the villagers worked to create machines for daily use and trade with other villages.
The trio entered a tavern, which offered alcoholic drinks, food, beds, and missions for adventurers.
Gabriel approached the bartender. "One room with three beds." Gabriel placed a few coins on the bartender's counter.
"Alright, one room with three beds is in room number 154 on the second floor." the bartender said, tossing Gabriel the key, which he caught with ease.
The three of them headed to the second floor and entered room 154. Once inside, they each collapsed onto their beds and quickly fell asleep.