Marcus (soul 2) was watching from his coffin in the ritual room, his back upright as he observed. His eyes were on the mirror, which showed everything Ethan had done. He saw how Ethan guided the assassins. He saw how Ethan fought for their lives and gave up his own saving them.
For the first time, Marcus felt something he hadn't felt before. The heavy regret in his heart began to fade. He could see that his friends, the people he cared for, were safe because of Ethan. This gave him a sense of peace he had never known.
The mirror started to glow brighter. Marcus turned, feeling a shift within himself. The light coming from his coffin had been orange, but now it transformed into a Serene Blue glow, radiating with a new intensity. He knew what it meant. It meant he was finally satisfied. His heart no longer carried the weight of guilt and regret.
A small smile appeared on Marcus's face. He felt light, like a burden had been lifted. The Sorcerer's voice was firm. "It is time for us to close your coffin." His words were steady, carrying a sense of finality.
Marcus lay back in his coffin without hesitation. He felt no fear, only peace. As he climbed inside, the blue light surrounded him, filling him with calmness he had never known in life. His soul was at rest.
Before the coffin closed, the mirror showed one last memory. Marcus remembered the moment between him and Lucia as she waited inside the airport to catch her flight. Their quiet smiles, shared glances, and mutual understanding were reflected. Marcus felt warmth in his heart, knowing she was safe.
With a soft breath, he whispered, "Thanks for tying my decade of regrets. Wish we could take this to the bar but its 'Back to the Coffin' time." directed toward the mirror. Then, as the light dimmed, he thought of Ethan's final moments—his sacrifice, his unwavering strength. And in the stillness, Marcus found peace.
Coffin 2 closed slowly by the Soul Navigator, and with the blue glow on the coffin. It was a sign that Marcus had finally found peace. The Sorcerer turned his attention away, ready to continue the ritual with the other souls. The room returned to its stillness.
The Sorcerer was elated beyond comprehension—his century-long design was finally unfolding. He thought to himself, "The die is cast. One horse already rests in my palm… now, I just need to ensure Soul 6 dances—flawlessly."
Ethan opened his eyes. He was back in the ritual room. The noise and chaos from the fight were gone. The room was quiet. The mirror's glow lit the space softly, and the air felt still.
Ethan stood there, feeling no pain but instead peace. Ethan, though silent now, had done something extraordinary. His actions gave Marcus the closure he needed. The ritual room stood as a witness to their story—a story of sacrifice, friendship, and finding peace after regret.
(((Here's a picture showing the current state of the ritual. You can refer to the Google Drive link or visit the art section on my Discord if you're unable to copy the link. You can also find the picture in the comments section below this chapter.)))
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dLDp6lmpHZiIAjUxRMd4KCmvGdixL6Ul/view?usp=sharing