"Mages, do you copy?" the captain asked through the telepathic link.
"Yes, we copy, Captain," one of the mages responded. "How is the situation on your end?"
"It's all good. I just eliminated the special darkside spirit," the captain said, panting slightly. "What about your end? What's the situation?"
"It's bad... really bad. We've lost almost all the Shinras," the mage replied grimly. "If it weren't for the smith, we'd all be dead by now."
"The smith?" the captain asked, surprised. "You mean the smith is battling with the special darkside spirit? I can still sense that strange dark aura from here, and it's getting weaker. What happened?"
"He's still fighting," the mage answered. "The special darkside spirit hasn't been defeated yet, but the smith... something changed in him. He suddenly awakened with a massive surge of dark Renshi—it was overwhelming. He sent the darkside spirit flying with just one punch."
The captain's eyes widened as he processed the information. "So that dark Renshi aura I sensed... it was coming from him?"
The captain clenched his fists and turned toward the fading Renshi trail. "This is bad. I need to get there immediately," he thought, taking flight. As he soared across the skies, he could feel the special darkside spirit's aura retreating. "It's fleeing... which means Falco's been defeated. I have to reach him—hear his final words,I can eliminate the darkside spirit whenever it shows itself. A warrior like him deserves that much."
When the captain landed, he found Falco lying motionless, bloodied and broken.
"Hey, Smith..." the captain whispered as he approached. "I had no idea you'd be the one to save all my Shinras. You're a hero."
"I'm no hero," Falco murmured, struggling to speak. "I was just... fighting for my family,and humanity. I pushed too far. Maybe now, they'll never forgive me."
"Don't speak," the captain said gently. "I'll get the mages. We can stop the bleeding."
"It's too late," Falco said, coughing up blood. "You know it. My Renshi's gone... I'm done. Don't waste yours trying to save me."
Falco gripped the captain's cape with trembling fingers. "Make me a promise..."
"Anything. Just name it."
"Go to my home... in the Guhan Kingdom. I'm a well-known blacksmith there—it won't be hard to find my family. Take my son in as your student. Teach him how to control both light and dark Renshi. Help him master it... help him become something greater."
The captain's eyes widened. "Don't tell me... your son also has dual Renshi?"
"Surprised?" Falco smiled faintly. "You shouldn't be. I know you have it too—both types. But you hide your dark Renshi... so your men don't question who you are."
The captain's expression froze. "How did you know that?"
"Does it matter?" Falco rasped. "Just go to my house. Train Alfie... teach him everything. I never let him go to the Shinra Academy—I was afraid. Afraid he'd lose control. Afraid the world would discover the power he inherited from me... from the legendary witches."
"Don't call him that," the captain said firmly. "He might be stronger than any witch or mage we've ever known."
Falco let out a weak laugh. "You're talking about a ten-year-old, possessing Renshi compared to the legendary twelve witches, Captain."
"I'm talking about potential. Anything is possible."
The captain hesitated. "I never asked for your name, Smith. What should I call you?"
"Falco..." he whispered. "...And my son's name is Alfie..."
With that, Falco's eyes closed for the final time.
The captain stood in silence, holding Falco's lifeless body. "What a warrior. He gave his life for family... for comrades he barely knew. He was more than a smith. He was a Shinra,a great one at that."
Later, the surviving Shinras regrouped with the captain and they all returned to their original kingdom. The captain laid Falco to rest in the kingdom's cemetery. As he prepared the burial, a Shinra overseeing the grounds approached him.
"Captain, isn't this against protocol? He wasn't one of us."
The captain looked him straight in the eyes. "Tell me—what is a Shinra?"
The cemetery Shinra faltered, unable to answer.
"A Shinra isn't defined by wearing a cape with badge or a sword," the captain continued. "A Shinra is someone who fights to protect humanity and the ones they love. Falco did that—and more. He deserves to rest among heroes."
The captain turned and walked away.
Back in Guhan Kingdom...
"Welcome back, Mama!" Elijah and Marcus called out as Margaret stepped through the door.
"How are my boys doing?" she asked with a warm smile.
"We're fine, Mama," Marcus said. "When is Papa coming back?"
Margaret knelt and picked him up. "Don't worry, sweetheart. Papa will be back soon. Just a little longer."
"I can't wait to see him," Marcus whispered as he hugged her.
"And where's your brother?" Margaret asked.
"He's still at Papa's forge," Elijah said. "He's been working on that sword since Papa left."
Margaret smiled faintly. "He's so dedicated. I hope he continues to grow stronger."
She set Marcus down and walked outside to gather some grain from her garden, unaware that her family's fate was about to shift forever.