Shadow and Joe prepare themselves for the duel. Joe draws out his axe and charges towards Shadow, attacking with all his might. Shadow swiftly dodges the attack, moving behind him. But this time, Joe anticipates her move and quickly delivers a powerful kick that lands squarely on Shadow, causing her to stumble back a few steps.
Shadow rises quickly and advances towards Joe. He swings his axe again, but Shadow catches his arm and redirects the force, striking Joe's face with his own hand. Blood trickles from Joe's nose as he staggers back, but he doesn't give up. Joe discards his axe and decides to fight hand-to-hand. He grabs Shadow's face and strikes with his knee. Shadow retaliates by driving her elbow into Joe's torso, and both of them collapse to the ground.
As they struggle, Shadow's mask slips off, revealing her face for the first time. Joe is momentarily stunned, seeing that Shadow, behind the mask, is actually a beautiful young woman. He's surprised that someone so fierce and merciless could also be so strikingly graceful. Most people wouldn't even guess that Shadow was a woman. Quickly, Shadow picks up her mask and puts it back on, but Joe's curiosity is piqued.
Both of them, exhausted from the fight, pause. Shadow, realizing Joe's strength, decides that he is now ready for whatever lies ahead. But Joe's mind is restless, filled with questions. He looks at Shadow and says, "Today, I'm moving towards my goal. I won't beg for mercy from those who showed none. I will make them pay with this axe, and I will take revenge for my mother, my sister, and my village. But before I go, there's one thing I need to know. It's been a year since I've been with you, but I still don't know your name. What happened to you that led you down this path?"
Shadow replies sternly, "There is no need for you to know these things. You can leave this forest now. Your training is complete."
Joe steps closer to Shadow, reaching out to remove her mask once more. Shadow doesn't resist, and for a moment, they lock eyes. Joe can see a flicker of emotion in Shadow's eyes, something that tells him there's more to her than the cold exterior she shows to the world. He realizes that, despite everything, she is still a woman, carrying a burden of untold stories.
Joe brushes his fingers over Shadow's lips, but she snaps back to reality and shoves him away, kicking him with such force that he crashes down, injuring his ribs. As he tries to get up, he struggles and collapses again. Shadow walks over, lifts him, and carries him to a nearby cave. She tends to his injuries, wrapping bandages around his wounds.
While Shadow is treating him, Joe gently touches her mask again. This time, Shadow tells him firmly, "Keep your hands away from me. It's my fault you got hurt, so I'm helping you. But tomorrow morning, you will leave. After that, you'll follow your path, and I'll follow mine."
Joe, lost in thought, doesn't hear her words clearly. Instead, he finds himself drawn to her more than ever. He removes her mask, tossing it aside, and gently holds her face. Without warning, he leans in and kisses her. Shadow tries to resist, even striking his injured ribs, but Joe doesn't let go. Eventually, she stops fighting back and, for the first time, allows herself to let go.
The two of them share a tender moment in the cave, a mix of emotions and vulnerability unfolding between them. Later, as they lie together, Shadow rests her head on Joe's chest and, with a voice softer than he's ever heard, she finally says, "My name is Sarah."