Six months have passed since the incident. Layout City has recovered, thanks to the hard work and cooperation of its citizens. Everything is calm and back in place.
Dubh, on the other hand, was arrested: his implant was removed, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiracy and terrorism. The capital has regained the peace it is so well known for.
But Geal still has one thing left to do...
We now find ourselves in a place our heroine has dreamed of for so long. Geal stands before a towering mountain of steep, jagged rocks, at the top of which sits a golden palace whose brilliance makes it stand out against the landscape. An uneven and daunting set of stairs winds its way upward to the summit.
"Alright! Now I'm ready!" Geal thinks to herself.
...She is about to face the Chosen One.
With unwavering determination, Geal begins climbing the stairs toward the peak, drenched by the rain and taking shaky steps. Each step is exhausting, and the weather makes it even harder. Behind her are other aspirants, all striving to reach the top as well.
Geal is heading to the Sacred Palace to challenge Magnius. But to do so, she must surpass the other aspirants in her path, a task that will be anything but easy.
Growing impatient with her pace, she sprints up the stairs, overtaking several men ahead of her. Elbows and shoves are exchanged without hesitation.
"Hey! Watch it, kid! I almost tripped!" one of them shouts.
One of the aspirants recognizes her.
"Wait a second! That's Geal! She's the heroine who saved the capital a few months ago!"
"You idiot! Why didn't you tell me earlier? I heard she can stop a train with one finger and leap into the clouds."
"I heard she took down an elephant. Is that true?"
"Sorry! I don't have time to waste on you," Geal says, looking back at them with a touch of smugness.
The aspirants tremble in fear at the sight of the all-powerful Geal addressing them with her thunderous voice. They cling to each other with faces like crying infants.
"I-I'd better not mess with her!" they stammer.
With that settled, Geal continues her climb, leaving the other aspirants far behind. She is the only one who reaches the top. Exhausted but resolute, she presses on.
"This isn't just about me anymore..."
As she climbs, images of her friends flash through her mind. The soles of her boots grow slippery, the thunder roars in her ears, and she fully understands the magnitude of what lies ahead. She summons all the courage she can muster.
She slips and tumbles down a few steps, but before she can fall any farther, she clings to the edge of a step with her fingers. Gasping, she looks up at the palace, rain and sweat dripping down her face.
"Mom, Dad, Mathias, Bredgy... Uruta. All of you helped me and believed in me. This isn't just about achieving my dream anymore—I need to honor your trust and sacrifices," Geal thinks.
With effort, she plants her boot firmly back on the stairs, ready to move forward once more.
"I'll fulfill my dream for all of you!"
With newfound conviction, Geal breaks into a run. She understands that this is, in some way, her ultimate trial.
Now is the time to apply everything she has learned: the wisdom to choose her battles wisely, perseverance as her most refined tool to keep moving forward, and strength, the willpower to keep going no matter how difficult things become.
After an intense struggle, she finally reaches the summit. Before her stands the palace, with its two enormous golden doors flanked by statues of colossal guards crossing their spears to block the way.
Everything is so detailed, it feels like a scene from a dream.
"Young aspirant, prove you are worthy of entry," says a voice emanating from the statues.
Understanding what they mean, Geal displays the three insignias she earned during the trials. In response, the guards move their spears aside, and the golden doors creak open, granting her entry.
"Enter. The Chosen One awaits you."
Inside, Geal ventures into the palace and finds herself in a massive hallway leading to a single door at the far end.
A red carpet stretches across the floor. Everything in the palace is made of gold.
With her heart racing, Geal steps into what will be the battle of her life. Before her lies the culmination of her dream. She knows this and is ready for anything. She sprints one last time toward her destiny, each step echoing loudly in the colossal hall.
As she advances, the chandeliers adorning the ceiling light up one by one.
She opens the final door and steps into a vast chamber, its enormous windows flooding the room with light. At the far end, seated on a throne with one leg crossed over the other and his face resting on his fist, is Magnius.
Geal stands before him, keeping her distance.
"I've been waiting for you, Geal," Magnius exclaims. "Those stairs are tough, aren't they? I still remember the first time I climbed them. I was already exhausted before even facing the previous Chosen One..."
Calmly, the Chosen One stands up and looks up at a window, watching as sunlight streams through. He sighs, completely at ease.
"That Royal Mechanic incident was crazy, wasn't it? If you hadn't put Dubh in his place, I'd still be stuck in an electric sphere," Magnius says, then glances at Geal with a sympathetic smirk. "Thank you for stopping him! The capital is so grateful to you; you've become a heroine to everyone."
Geal locks her gaze on him, her expression deadly serious. She doesn't utter a single word.
"How are Bredgy and Mathias? They deserve a lot of credit too. You have amazing friends. I envy you," Magnius continues.
...But she doesn't respond. She's so focused that she refuses to speak. Magnius smiles at her.
"You're not going to answer me, huh?" Magnius remarks, starting to warm up. "That's fine. I see you're focused; your legs are trembling, your breathing is heavy, you're excited, but you're not showing it. You've matured so much since I first met you. I'm truly happy about that."
Now fully prepared, Magnius approaches his opponent, his pace slow but imposing.
"How much have you learned on your journey? How strong have you become? I can't wait to find out," Magnius says, now more serious. "Tell me, young Geal, are you ready for the greatest fight of your life?"
Still silent, she draws her shield and adjusts her backpack, maintaining her serious demeanor. She has come here to fulfill her purpose, nothing more.
"I see. In that case..."
In a supremely epic display, Magnius unsheathes his Excalibur and removes his cloak. The brilliance of his sword is blinding, the golden walls of the hall reflecting its light. He looks every bit the king.
"Geal, the Heroine! Let's have a battle that will be written in the history of the Land of the Gem! It will be an honor for your name to join the eight years of victories I've built." He raises his sword, unleashing a magical gust of wind. "Let the twenty-third title defense of the Chosen One begin!"
"Yes!" Geal finally shouts.
Geal and Magnius charge at each other, weapons clashing!
The battle is long and intense. Both fighters give it their all; in that moment, nothing exists in their minds but the duel they are waging.
An epic confrontation. Thrilling. Heart-pounding. Each strike showcases their experience, and from beginning to end, it is a battle worthy of being immortalized in the most detailed history books.
A fight whose grandeur will remain etched within the golden walls of the Sacred Palace.
*
Outside the palace, Bredgy and Mathias arrive, running toward the foot of the mountain.
Both stop to catch their breath, glancing at each other in slight confusion. They had the same idea and arrived almost simultaneously. A rainbow arcs in the distance, a result of the rain, which has now ceased.
"Mathias? You came too?" Bredgy asks.
"I ran here as soon as I heard Geal was going to fight the Chosen One, but I think I'm late," Mathias says, still panting.
"Same here. I came to cheer her on," the punk girl replies.
Mathias smiles.
"I'm sure Geal will win! When she does, let's greet her the way she deserves," he proposes.
"Yes!"
Then, they see Geal descending the stairs. Her face is obscured, but her hair is disheveled, and her clothes are torn and dirty. She walks slowly and wearily. The moment they notice her, her friends rush toward her.
"It's her!" Mathias exclaims, approaching.
"Geal? What happened?" Bredgy asks.
As soon as they spot her, they eagerly tend to her, anxious to know the outcome.
Geal finishes descending the stairs and steps onto solid ground. After a few suspenseful moments, she looks up and responds to her friends with a gentle smile.
"I lost..."
Mathias and Bredgy gasp in shock.
"I gave it everything I had. I thought I'd win, but in the end, I wasn't even close," Geal admits, her head slightly bowed but still smiling. "Mr. Magnius is just too strong. I understand now why he's the Chosen One."
"Oh, I'm sorry, especially since you were so excited..." Mathias says, disheartened.
"Don't feel bad, Geal. It was an impossible dream from the start. But it's okay... at least you tried," Bredgy adds, trying to encourage her in her own way.
But unexpectedly, Geal bursts into laughter, a sweet and genuine laugh. Her two friends exchange puzzled looks, unsure of the reason.
"Ha, ha, ha! Don't be so gloomy, guys," Geal says, calming down. "It was amazing!"
Despite her loss, Geal's expression isn't one of sadness. On the contrary, she looks content and fulfilled. She gazes at the horizon, directly at the setting sun, as the wind tousles her hair.
"I didn't succeed in the end, but I fought with everything I had. I gave it my all, holding nothing back," she says, turning to her friends. "It doesn't matter whether I won or not. Now that I've done everything I could to pursue my dream, my heart is finally at peace."
Bredgy and Mathias smile, understanding how much their dear friend has grown.
At that moment, Magnius arrives, appearing suddenly through teleportation.
"Guys! I'm glad you're here!" the Chosen One says upon seeing Geal and her friends.
"Mr. Magnius!" Geal exclaims.
"You were one tough opponent! It's been years since I faced someone as determined and formidable as you," he says. "Just don't spread cockroaches around the palace again, please. The staff will have to clean twice today."
"Oh! Sorry about that," Geal replies, scratching the back of her head.
With Excalibur resting on his shoulder, the Chosen One glances at Bredgy and Mathias, addressing them.
"And thank you both for supporting Geal all this time. Without that, she wouldn't have become as strong as she is now. You're incredible friends."
"It was nothing, sir," Bredgy replies, feeling flattered. "Backing each other up, no matter how serious or silly, is what friends do, right?"
With her usual mischievous demeanor, Geal runs and gives her best friend a tight hug.
"I love you so much, Bredgy!" the heroine says.
"I love you too, Geal," the punk girl replies, returning the embrace.
After so much time, Geal and Bredgy finally celebrate their friendship. No schemes, no tricks—just two friends who truly care for each other.
"Oh! You too, Mathias. You've become quite the man; I'm proud of you."
Geal momentarily releases her friend, then plants a kiss on Mathias' cheek. He turns beet red, steam practically coming out of his ears as he freezes in embarrassment. Another dream quietly comes true.
Everyone laughs at the boy's reaction.
At the same time, the wind blows, brushing against Geal's cheek. Amid the breeze, the silhouette of a white bird appears, flying nearby. Geal looks at it and then smiles, clutching her necklace.
"Thank you, too, Uruta," she thinks.
After a few moments of silence, a new conversation begins.
"Well, what do you plan to do now, young Geal?" Magnius asks.
Before responding, Geal furrows her brow and clenches her fists, wearing a defiant smile.
"Obviously, I'm going to try again," she declares.
"Besides, no matter what I do from now on," Geal says, glancing at Bredgy and Mathias, "I know my friends will always be with me, and that's what matters most."
Hearing this, the Chosen One smiles, knowing she has learned well.
"The most valuable thing about having a dream isn't achieving the goal; it's all the adventures, experiences, and people you meet along the way. But you already know that very well, don't you?" Magnius concludes. "I wish you the best of luck, Geal!"
"See you later, Magnius!" Geal bids him farewell.
"Until next time, Geal!"
*
Walking toward the sunset, with trees providing shade on either side, Geal, Bredgy, and Mathias stroll together along a dirt path as the sun hides away. They walk side by side, without hurry or pressure, simply enjoying the moment.
"Well, where are we going now?" asks Bredgy.
"Do you want to come to my village? You've got to try the cakes my mom bakes; they're amazing!" Geal replies, raising a finger. "When my parents find out you're my friend, they're going to love you."
"Huh? She still makes them? It's been ages since I last had one," Mathias adds, licking his lips.
"Yes! She made one for my birthday. I ate it with Uruta—it was delicious," Geal responds.
"I know a shortcut to Canvas Village. Should we take it?" the boy suggests.
Our heroine remains silent for a few seconds. She doesn't feel in a rush to get back to her village just yet. Not now, when she feels so free.
"Umm... What if we take the long way instead?" Geal suggests.
"Huh? Why?" Mathias blurts out.
"It's just... I want to walk with you all a little longer," Geal answers, shrugging slightly.
"Yeah, I want to walk with you guys a bit more too. There's so much I want to talk about. Now that I'm free, I can be your friend without fear, right?" adds Bredgy, who, at last, looks cheerful and happy.
"Alright, alright! Let's walk together, then. The village can wait!" Mathias concludes, agreeing with the idea.
"It's time to go home."
Together, reminiscing about all the stories they've lived, our three young heroes head toward the horizon.
*
And thus, the journey of the spirited Geal, her powerless Crystal, and her peculiar yet loyal friends comes to an end.
The truth is, this story never really ends; our heroes will continue embarking on countless adventures, chasing new goals. After all, behind every dream, always lies another.
If there's something we can learn from this journey, it's that no matter what kind of dream you have, the experiences you live, the lessons you learn, and the friends you make while pursuing it are what give value to the journey. They're what make it all worthwhile in the end.
After all, anything can be painted on a blank canvas. It's up to you to decide what colors will shape your adventure.
And remember...
"YOU CHOOSE TO BE THE CHOSEN ONE"
THE END.