THE REBORN WORLD OF THE CHRONICLES

The air had grown colder. Margaret stood frozen in place as Marco explained the truth about witches—those born with two conflicting forces inside them: light and dark Renshi. The revelation struck like a blade through her heart.

"Witches possess both light and dark Renshi," Marco began. "But if one awakens the darkness first, mastering both becomes nearly impossible. That darkness feeds on hatred, anger, and lust—traits deeply rooted in a witch's bloodline. If not contained, it consumes the wielder, turning them against mankind itself."

Margaret, gripping the earth beneath her knees, could hardly breathe. Marco continued, his voice steady but heavy with grief. "The light Renshi is different. It's fueled by salvation and vengeance—a path to purity. When mastered, the light can even convert the dark. That's when a witch becomes whole… holy."

She blinked through her tears, barely hearing him now.

"Witches like Falco can sever their connection to both Renshi sources by cutting ties with their inner castles. That's where their energy is stored—and where their emotions are mirrored. Falco… learned how to do that. I don't know how. But he did."

"So…" Margaret whispered, voice trembling. "Falco is dead? He died… in battle?"

"Yes," Marco replied solemnly. "He fought to protect lives—yours, his children's, and many others. He died a hero."

Her scream cracked through the stillness of evening. She clutched at the soil, sobbing uncontrollably.

Inside the house, the boys heard her. Elijah and Marcus bolted through the door, fear etched across their young faces. Alfie rushed out too, dropping to his knees beside his mother.

"Mama, why are you crying? Did this man hurt you?" he asked.

Margaret pulled Alfie into her arms, her sobs unrelenting.

"Why are you crying, Mama? Tell me!" Elijah begged.

Even Marcus, always silent, wept openly on the ground.

Marco turned away, a tear sliding down his cheek.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Alfie shouted at him.

Margaret gripped her son's arm. "Alfie… he didn't hurt me."

"Then what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Margaret looked her son in the eyes, forcing herself to speak. "Promise me, Alfie. Promise me you'll eliminate the darkside spirits… all of them."

"I already made that promise to myself, Mama. Why make me repeat it?"

"Because your father is gone," she said through tears. "Falco… your papa died. He was drained of his Renshi by a special darkside spirit. He fought… and protected others. He didn't win, but he saved many lives."

Alfie fell silent.

His father's smile flashed through his mind… his laugh… the warmth of his presence.

Then it shattered.

Alfie pressed his face to the ground and screamed—raw and anguished. Elijah and Marcus joined him, their cries echoing across the house.

Even Rebekah, who had fought so hard to stay composed, wept quietly behind them, mourning her own losses all over again.

Marco watched, regret burning behind his calm eyes. No matter how I said it… this pain was inevitable, he thought.

Suddenly, Alfie sprang to his feet and ran at Marco, fists clenched. He pounded against the Shinra's armor.

"Why didn't you protect him?! You're strong! You killed that Alpha like it was nothing! Why didn't you kill the other one?! Why did you let my papa die?!"

Marco didn't fight back. "I wasn't there. I was handling another special darkside spirit… I'm truly sorry, Alfie."

Alfie's punches weakened. Then he collapsed.

"I'll kill them all," he whispered. "I'll wipe every last one of them from this world… I'll kill them all!"

His body surged with dark Renshi. It exploded from him like a storm, streaking through the clouds above. The house shook. Rebekah shielded the boys.

Marco stepped in instantly. With a swift chop to Alfie's neck, he knocked the boy unconscious before the dark Renshi could spiral out of control.

The storm of grief settled into a long, quiet night. The family cried themselves to sleep, mourning the man they'd lost.

By dawn, the pain hadn't lessened—but clarity had returned.

Margaret sat beside Marco, her face stiff with exhaustion.

"Mister Shinra," she said quietly. "Thank you for bringing us the truth… but I need to be honest with you too."

Marco looked at her, saying nothing.

"Last night, I wasn't in my right mind. I said I'd let Alfie go with you… but now, I've changed my decision. I'm his mother. I won't let him leave—not now."