Reinhard blinked.
He stood in the forest again, but he realized there were far more people around than Dune and his comrades.
He saw golden spectral figures surrounding him, over fifty Beast Masters wearing armor matching Dune's style.
They materialized from light itself, their forms solid despite being composed of radiance.
Each one bore weapons, each one stood ready, each one's expression showed determination mixed with joy at being called.
Commander Dune blinked, his fading form staring at the assembled warriors. Recognition flashed across his face repeatedly as he identified individuals.
Erza stood nearby, her auburn hair braided as it had been in the campfire memory. Voyer beside her, his pale blond hair and scarred cheek unmistakable.
Garius, Thane, Corvin, Mira, Senna, all eight, including him from that original squad, their faces younger than when they'd died but unmistakably them.
