One year later, the world had recovered from the disasters triggered by Alexander. Reconstruction efforts continued, but life was gradually returning to normal. The six wielders of the Light Weapons had become global heroes, their stories inspiring countless people.
In Sabah, Malaysia, Yeh Yao stood under a cherry blossom tree on the university campus, watching petals drift in the wind. This was the place he and Alicia loved most, where they often discussed the future and shared dreams. Now, he stood there alone, lost in thought.
"I knew I'd find you here," a familiar voice came from behind.
Yeh Yao turned to see Alicia standing there, smiling at him. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a golden glow around her.
"It's the first day of the semester," she said, walking up beside him. "Shouldn't you be preparing for your class, Professor Yeh Yao?"
Yeh Yao smiled faintly and shook his head. "I'm already prepared. I just wanted some quiet time to think."
After the battle in Antarctica, both had returned to university to complete their studies. Yeh Yao was now an assistant professor in the education department, while Alicia worked as a researcher in the same faculty. They had chosen to return to where it all began—to ordinary lives, though their experiences had forever marked them as anything but ordinary.
"What's on your mind?" Alicia asked softly, standing beside him as they watched the falling petals.
"Everything," Yeh Yao replied. "Our journey, our battles, our choices. Sometimes, it feels like a dream."
"But it wasn't a dream," Alicia said, reaching out to gently touch his arm. "It was real. We really did save the world. We really did change history."
Yeh Yao nodded, holding her hand. "Yes, we did. But sometimes I wonder—what if we had made different choices? What if we hadn't stopped Alexander? What if we hadn't saved those people…"
"But we did," Alicia said firmly. "That's what matters. We faced the challenge and made the right choices."
They fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company and the peaceful moment. Since returning to campus, such quiet moments had become rare treasures. Though the world knew their identities, here, they were just ordinary faculty members—a precious sense of normalcy.
"How are the others?" Yeh Yao asked, his thoughts turning to their companions.
"I got an email from Michelle this morning," Alicia replied. "Her research in London is going well. She's developing a new technology to predict natural disasters more accurately than current systems."
"That sounds like her," Yeh Yao smiled. "Always using science to change the world."
"Eunice and Nasser are still in Yunnan, China," Alicia continued. "They're documenting the traditional knowledge of local ethnic groups, especially wisdom about nature and environmental protection. Eunice says it might help with future environmental challenges."
"And Kristina?"
"Still serving in the Russian military, but now focusing more on international rescue missions. She says she's found a new purpose—not just as a soldier, but as a protector."
Yeh Yao nodded, glad their friends had each found their paths. Though scattered across the world, they remained connected—still a team, still a family.
"We should organize a reunion," he suggested. "It's been months since we were all together."
"That's a great idea," Alicia agreed, her eyes brightening. "Maybe next month, when the semester ends. We could go somewhere quiet, away from the media and public attention."
"Perfect," Yeh Yao smiled. "I'll contact Marcus and see if he can arrange a private location."
Marcus Chen had fully recovered and continued leading the Watchers organization, now operating more openly as a key force in global disaster prevention and environmental efforts. He remained a steadfast supporter and friend to the six.
Just then, Yeh Yao's phone rang. He glanced at the screen, his expression turning serious.
"It's Marcus," he said, answering the call. "Hello, Marcus. What's happening?"
Alicia watched as Yeh Yao's face shifted from seriousness to surprise, then concern.
"We'll be there right away," he finally said before hanging up.
"What happened?" Alicia asked nervously.
"Marcus says the Watchers' monitoring system has detected anomalous energy fluctuations," Yeh Yao explained, his voice low. "Similar to what we saw in Antarctica, but the source is unknown. He wants us at headquarters in Hong Kong immediately."
"Do you think it's related to Alexander?" Alicia asked, recalling their complex adversary.
"Not sure," Yeh Yao shook his head. "But Marcus sounded worried. We should leave as soon as possible."
They sprang into action, arranging emergency leave before boarding a private jet arranged by the Watchers. En route, they contacted the other four, informing them of the situation. All agreed to rendezvous in Hong Kong as soon as possible.
Hours later, Yeh Yao and Alicia arrived in Hong Kong, where Marcus personally greeted them at the airport.
"Thank you for coming so quickly," he said, leading them to a car. "The situation is more complicated than I thought."
"Can you explain in detail?" Yeh Yao asked as they drove toward Watchers headquarters.
"Three days ago, our systems detected strange energy fluctuations," Marcus explained. "At first, they were faint, but they've been growing stronger. The energy signature is similar to your relics, but… different."
"Where's the source?" Alicia asked.
"That's the strange part," Marcus frowned. "The energy seems to originate from multiple locations worldwide. But the strongest signal comes from an unexpected place—a remote jungle region in Sarawak, Malaysia."
Yeh Yao and Alicia exchanged surprised glances. Sarawak was Yeh Yao's homeland—this couldn't be a coincidence.
"Any theories?" Yeh Yao pressed.
"A few, but nothing certain," Marcus admitted. "It could be residual effects from Alexander's experiments, new Hellgates forming, or… something we don't yet understand."
They arrived at Watchers headquarters—a sleek, modern building in Central Hong Kong filled with cutting-edge technology. Marcus led them to the command center, where a large screen displayed a global map marked with energy fluctuation points.
"Look," Marcus pointed. "Red dots indicate energy sources. The largest is in Sarawak, but there are others—Japan, the UK, China, Russia, and the U.S."
"These locations… they're connected to us," Alicia realized. "Japan is where we fought the tsunami, the UK is Michelle's home, China is Eunice's, Russia is Kristina's, and Hawaii is Nasser's."
"And Sarawak is us both," Yeh Yao added. "This can't be a coincidence."
"We believe these fluctuations may be linked to your relics," Marcus said. "Perhaps they're responding to some kind of call… or threat."
"But the relics have been dormant," Yeh Yao pointed out. "Since Antarctica, their energy has been weak, only manifesting when needed."
"Maybe it's time to wake them," Alicia murmured. "See if they can tell us what's happening."
Yeh Yao nodded, and the two focused, summoning their relics. Moments later, the Phoenix Twin Swords appeared in their hands—but unlike before, their glow was dim, as if asleep or conserving energy.
"They feel… different," Yeh Yao frowned, sensing the blade's energy. "Like they're waiting for something."
Just then, the command center door opened, and Michelle, Eunice, Nasser, and Kristina entered. All looked slightly weary from their journeys but determined.
"We came as soon as we got the message," Michelle said, hugging Yeh Yao and Alicia. "What's the situation?"
Marcus quickly explained the energy fluctuations and their connection to the six.
"Can you summon your relics?" Yeh Yao asked. "See their status."
The four nodded, concentrating. Tidal Roar, Zephyr's Whisper, Earthshaker, and Angel's Blessing appeared in their hands—but like the Phoenix Twin Swords, their glow was unusually faint.
"They're conserving energy," Michelle analyzed, studying Tidal Roar. "As if preparing for something major."
"But what?" Kristina asked bluntly. "We defeated Alexander and shut down the spacetime device. What threat could require the relics' full power?"
"Maybe not a threat," Eunice mused. "Maybe a… calling. A mission."
"Whatever it is," Nasser said firmly, "we need to investigate. Especially that Sarawak energy source—it's the strongest."
"I agree," Yeh Yao nodded. "We should head to Sarawak immediately. It's my homeland; I know the terrain."
"I've arranged transport," Marcus said. "A helicopter can take you closest to the energy source, but the last stretch may require hiking. It's pristine jungle—no roads or settlements."
"We've handled worse," Kristina said confidently. "Jungle won't be a problem."
After quick preparations, the six boarded a Watchers helicopter bound for Sarawak. En route, they discussed possibilities and strategies.
"We should stay alert," Yeh Yao advised. "Even if the relics are weak, we still have combat skills. If there's danger, protect each other first."
"I'm more worried about the unknown," Michelle admitted. "We don't know what these fluctuations mean or what's waiting in that jungle."
"Whatever it is, we face it together," Alicia said firmly. "Like we always have."
Hours later, the helicopter flew over Sarawak's dense rainforest—a green ocean broken only by rivers and small clearings. Following coordinates, the pilot brought them as close as possible to the energy source.
"This is the nearest I can take you," the pilot said, hovering over a small clearing. "The energy source should be about five kilometers northeast."
"Thanks," Yeh Yao nodded. "We'll proceed on foot from here."
Equipped with comms, supplies, and gear, the six descended into the jungle. The humid tropical air enveloped them instantly, but after surviving extreme environments, this was nothing.
"I'll wait here," the pilot radioed. "Call if you need emergency extraction."
"Understood," Yeh Yao replied before turning to the others. "Ready?"
The five nodded, following Yeh Yao into the dense foliage. Though unfamiliar to most, Yeh Yao had grown up in these lands and moved with instinctive ease, finding paths and avoiding hazards as he led the team toward the energy source.
The jungle teemed with life—birds calling, monkeys howling, insects buzzing, leaves rustling. Sunlight dappled through the canopy, creating shifting patterns. Under other circumstances, it might have been a pleasant hike. But tension hung in the air—a sense that something unknown awaited them.
As they neared the energy source, the relics began glowing faintly, as if responding to a call.
"We're close," Michelle said, watching Roar of Dragon brighten. "The relics sense it."
"I feel it too," Eunice added. "A strange pull, like a magnetic field."
They pressed on, the jungle growing denser and more ancient. Towering trees, thick vines, and spongy moss underfoot marked untouched wilderness.
Finally, they reached a small clearing where an ancient stone structure stood, half-covered in vegetation—an altar or gateway of some kind, carved with weathered symbols.
"What is this place?" Nasser asked, examining the markings.
"I'm not sure," Yeh Yao admitted. "I've never heard of ruins like this in Sarawak."
"These symbols…" Eunice studied them closely. "They don't match any known civilization or language. But they resemble the patterns on our relics."
Suddenly, all six relics flared brightly, illuminating the clearing. Their light focused on the stone structure, activating the symbols until they too glowed.
"What's happening?" Kristina asked warily, gripping Angel's Blessing.
"The relics are responding to this place," Michelle observed. "They're… activating it."
An energy vortex began forming at the structure's center, swirling slowly with a soft blue glow. It expanded until a portal-sized opening appeared.
"It's a gateway," Yeh Yao realized. "Similar to the spacetime tunnels we created with the Phoenix Sword, but more… primal. More powerful."
"Where does it lead?" Alicia asked, both wary and curious.
Then, a figure emerged from the portal—a tall, luminous being with no distinct features yet radiating ancient wisdom.
"Wielders of the Light Weapons," the figure spoke, its voice echoing in their minds. "You have come at last."
The six tensed, relics ready.
"Who are you?" Yeh Yao demanded. "What do you want?"
"I am the Guardian," the figure replied. "Keeper of balance between this world and others. You know me as the 'Watcher'—an entity beyond time and space."
"'Watcher'?" Michelle repeated. "Like Marcus's organization?"
"Marcus Chen borrowed the name," the Guardian explained. "Guided by subconscious intuition. The true Watchers have existed since the dawn of the cosmos, maintaining the balance of the multiverse."
"The multiverse?" Michelle's scientific curiosity sparked. "You mean parallel universes?"
"Countless realities," the Guardian confirmed. "Every choice, every possibility branches into new worlds. You've experienced this—when you traveled to the future, when you altered that timeline."
"Alexander," Yeh Yao realized. "He said he lived through hundreds of time loops, tried thousands of possibilities. He was crossing between parallel worlds?"
"Yes," the Guardian nodded. "Alexander discovered a way to traverse the multiverse, but his methods were crude and dangerous, warping spacetime. His actions created instabilities that now threaten the entire multiverse's equilibrium."
"But we stopped him," Alicia pointed out. "We shut down the spacetime device, closed the gates."
"You halted that immediate threat," the Guardian acknowledged. "But the damage remains. Spacetime fractures are forming, bridging different realities. Left unchecked, they will expand, eventually causing a multiversal collapse."
The six exchanged grave looks, realizing the scale of this new threat.
"What can we do?" Yeh Yao asked, resolve hardening his voice. "How do we fix these fractures?"
"That is why I called you," the Guardian said. "The Light Weapons—what you call relics—are not merely tools of war. They are fragments of the multiverse itself, capable of creation and repair. Only their power can mend what Alexander broke."
"But how?" Eunice asked, looking at Zephyr's Whisper. "We only know how to use them for battle and protection."
"You must journey to where spacetime is weakest," the Guardian explained. "The largest fractures converge there—the Garden of the Lost, as Alexander named it. A nexus point between realities. It awaits you now."
"How do we reach it?" Nasser asked. "We don't even know its location."
"I will guide you," the Guardian said. "This gateway leads directly to the Garden. But be warned—its dangers eclipse anything you've faced before. The laws of physics unravel there; reality itself becomes unstable."
"What preparations do we need?" Michelle asked, already theorizing strategies.
"Bring your courage and unity," the Guardian replied. "In the Garden, thoughts and emotions manifest as power or weakness. Your bond is your greatest strength."
"How much time do we have?" Yeh Yao asked.
"Little," the Guardian said gravely. "The fractures expand exponentially. Without swift action, the consequences will be catastrophic—not just for this world, but for all worlds."
The six shared a silent understanding. They had saved the world once; now, they would do so again.
"We're ready," Yeh Yao spoke for them all. "Take us to the Garden."
The Guardian nodded, and the portal's glow intensified.
"Remember," the Guardian warned, "in the Garden of the Lost, the line between reality and illusion blurs. Trust your instincts. Trust each other. Only then can you succeed."
The six stepped forward, relics in hand, and crossed into the light.
The world twisted around them, colors and sounds merging into chaos. They felt stretched, compressed, remade—then, abruptly, everything stilled.
When their vision cleared, they stood in a place of impossible beauty—a vast garden unlike any on Earth. Plants shimmered in unnatural hues, their shapes defying physics. The sky was deep violet, streaked with nebulae and ribbons of light. The ground seemed translucent, stars flowing beneath their feet.
"This is the Garden of the Lost," Alicia whispered in awe. "It's… breathtaking."
"And dangerous," Michelle cautioned, checking her instruments. "Readings show unstable physics and warped spacetime."
"The Guardian said the fractures are strongest here," Yeh Yao reminded them. "We need to find and repair them."
"But how?" Nasser asked, gazing at the endless garden. "This place seems infinite."
"Maybe the relics know," Eunice suggested, lifting Zephyr's Whisper. "They brought us here; perhaps they can guide us further."
Focusing, the six let the relics' energy flow. The weapons glowed brighter, their light converging toward the garden's center—where a massive crystal structure stood.
"There," Kristina pointed. "That must be our target."
They began moving toward it, but quickly realized traversing the Garden was no simple task. Distances shifted unpredictably—the crystal sometimes seemed close, other times impossibly far. Paths twisted, branched, or vanished into voids.
"This place warps perception," Michelle observed. "We need to focus and maintain our bearings."
"Follow the relics' guidance," Yeh Yao advised. "Don't let the illusions distract you."
As they pressed forward, the Garden tested them with surreal phenomena—talking plants, shifting terrain, glimpses of past and future events flickering like mirages.
"Are these memories or prophecies?" Alicia wondered, watching a scene from their Antarctic battle.
"Perhaps both. Or neither," Michelle said. "Here, time isn't linear. Past, present, and future may coexist."
Nearing the crystal, the challenges intensified. The Garden resisted their advance, conjuring obstacles—bottomless chasms, labyrinthine hedges, even doppelgängers mimicking them.
"The Garden is testing us," Eunice realized. "Testing our unity and resolve."
"Then we prove ourselves," Nasser declared, using Earthshaker to bridge a chasm.
Kristina dispersed the duplicates with Angel's Blessing; Michelle stabilized warping spacetime with Roar of Dragon; Eunice cleared illusions with Zephyr's Whisper; Yeh Yao and Alicia carved paths through mazes with the Phoenix Swords.
After what felt like an eternity, they reached the crystal. Up close, it towered hundreds of meters tall, its surface shimmering with cosmic reflections. But most striking was the massive fracture at its core—a jagged rift pulsing with unstable energy.
"That's the spacetime fracture," Michelle confirmed. "Energy signature matches Alexander's device, but on a far larger scale."
"How do we fix it?" Kristina asked.
The Guardian's voice echoed in their minds: "Channel the relics' power to create a restoration field. But it will require immense energy—possibly draining the relics, even affecting you."
"Affecting us how?" Yeh Yao asked warily.
"Uncertain. This has never been attempted. At worst, you could be pulled into the fracture—lost across time or dimensions."
The six exchanged solemn looks, weighing the risks.
"Is there another way?" Alicia finally asked.
"None. Only the relics can mend such damage."
"Then we have no choice," Yeh Yao said firmly. "We must try."
The others nodded. Fear and doubt lingered, but their determination outweighed both.
"Form a circle," the Guardian instructed. "Focus the relics on the fracture. Will it closed."
Following directions, the six arranged themselves around the rift, relics aimed at its center. Closing their eyes, they concentrated, channeling the weapons' energy.
At first, nothing happened. Then, the relics blazed brighter than ever, their light weaving into a luminous web that stretched into the fracture.
The six gasped as overwhelming pressure engulfed them—as if the weight of the multiverse pressed down. The relics burned in their hands, nearly unbearable, yet they held fast.
"Stay strong!" Yeh Yao urged, voice strained. "We can do this!"
The energy web contracted, slowly pulling the fracture's edges together. Within the darkness, strange lights flickered—like fragments of other worlds.
As the repair progressed, the Garden trembled. Reality itself destabilized—ground undulating like water, sky twisting into impossible shapes, flora and rocks floating midair.
"The fracture's resisting!" Michelle warned. "It's fighting to stay open!"
"More power!" Kristina shouted, pouring more energy into Angel's Blessing.
The six redoubled their efforts. The relics' glow became blinding, the web tightening further. The fracture shrank steadily.
Then, disaster struck. A violent energy surge erupted from the rift, battering the six. The web warped, nearly snapping.
"It's too strong!" Nasser yelled, struggling to stay upright.
"We need more!" Eunice cried over the roaring energy.
In that critical moment, Alicia made a decision. She met Yeh Yao's eyes—love and resolve shining in her gaze.
"Yeh Yao," she said calmly. "I know what to do."
Before he could react, she stepped forward—directly toward the fracture.
"Alicia, no!" Yeh Yao screamed, lunging for her, but too late.
Standing before the rift, Phoenix Sword in hand, Alicia turned back one last time. "The people are in danger. Save them… I can't hold on any longer… I love you…"
Then, she plunged the sword into the fracture.
A blinding explosion of light engulfed her.
"NO!" Yeh Yao's anguished cry echoed as Michelle and Nasser restrained him.
"Yeh Yao, stop!" Michelle shouted. "Charging in will waste her sacrifice!"
"We must finish this!" Kristina insisted.
After a desperate struggle, Yeh Yao—heartbroken but resolute—raised his Phoenix Sword again.
"For Alicia," he whispered, tears streaming. "For everyone."
The five resumed the repair, now aided by Alicia's sword still embedded in the rift. The renewed energy web proved unstoppable—the fracture shrank rapidly until, with a final pulse, it sealed completely.
A shockwave blasted outward, knocking the five off their feet. When they recovered, the Garden was calm. The crystal stood whole, no trace of the fracture.
But Alicia and her Phoenix Sword were gone.
"Alicia…" Yeh Yao whispered brokenly. "Where is she?"
"I don't know," Michelle said sadly. "The fracture closed… she could be anywhere, anywhen."
"Can we find her?" Yeh Yao asked, desperate hope in his eyes.
"Not without risking another catastrophe," the Guardian's voice replied gently. "Her sacrifice anchored the repair. To reopen the fracture would undo everything."
"So she's… gone forever?" Yeh Yao's voice was barely audible.
"In this reality, yes," the Guardian said. "But the multiverse is infinite. Somewhere, sometime, she may still exist."
The answer was both comfort and torment. Knowing Alicia might live on, yet be forever beyond reach, was crueler than certain death.
"We should return," Kristina said softly, placing a hand on Yeh Yao's shoulder. "Our mission is complete."
Yeh Yao nodded numbly. A part of him had vanished with Alicia, leaving a void nothing could fill.
The Guardian reappeared, now more distinct. "You have succeeded. The multiverse is balanced once more. Your courage will never be forgotten."
"The cost was too high," Yeh Yao murmured, staring at his now-dull Phoenix Sword.
"All great deeds demand sacrifice," the Guardian said gently. "But remember—in infinity, no parting is truly eternal."
A new portal appeared, leading home.
"Go now. Live your lives, knowing you saved not one world, but all worlds."
Silently, the five walked toward the portal. Yeh Yao was last. Before stepping through, he cast one final look at the Garden—hoping, against reason, to see Alicia's face.
But only the empty Garden and silent crystal remained.
Heart heavy, Yeh Yao crossed the threshold—and returned to his world.