After the Battle
Hina ran to the book on the floor, lifting it carefully. Around them now was only trembling silence—the echo of the roar when the Wielder vanished. The full-moon mushroom roots that cracked gradually crumbled, leaving moist green moss covering the floor.
Anoby placed the iron pipe beside Hina. His breath was heavy, but his eyes conveyed relief. "We succeeded in stopping him," he said softly.
Hina stared at the thick and heavy Time Controller's Book. "Now, we must bring this book out of the village," she said. "So it does not fall into the wrong hands."
Anoby nodded. "We also need to close this core chamber door so no one can use the same power." He lifted the pipe and struck the floor in front of the core chamber door. The wall cracked, step by step the iron door slowly closed, blocking the time flow from that chamber.
The full-moon mushroom roots crumbled further as the door closed tightly. The blue light from the pipe cast a final gleam behind the door, before darkness swallowed the stone door completely. Hina took some of the still-intact root pieces, wrapping them with the book and dried moon mushrooms in a pouch. "Hopefully the villagers can study this book and prevent the birth of a new Wielder," she said softly, bowing her head briefly.
Anoby took Hina's hand and guided her out of the core chamber. They descended the dark corridor carefully, still feeling the residual vibrations of the battle. Each step brought them closer to the main exit, where the Shadow Forces might still wait.
A Silent Return
As they made their way out of the corridor, Rhumal Village looked peaceful under the fading moon blood glow. The scent of damp earth and wisteria accompanied their steps. Villagers gathered looked on, confused but relieved, seeing Anoby and Hina carrying the book—proof that the time threat had ended.
Mr. Miran was already waiting in the village hall yard. He looked at the two children with misty eyes. "You… succeeded?" his voice trembled, half in disbelief.
Anoby bowed his head, restraining an outburst of emotion. "The ritual has stopped. The Wielder of Time has vanished."
Mr. Miran shed tears. "Thank you… thank you for the light you have brought." He hugged Hina, then turned to Anoby. "Shadow child… you have saved this village from temporal destruction."
Hina smiled tiredly, taking Anoby's hand. "We did it together," she said. "I will take care of this book, so the village can learn from this history."
That night, amid lantern flickers and villagers' cheer, Anoby and Hina stood together in the village hall yard. The moon blood glow had faded, replaced by the usual moonlight that slowly affirmed the eclipse's end. Above them, the sky was bright again, as if offering a new hope.
Anoby gazed at the sky. Behind his blindfold, his eyes trembled as he felt the long-lost calm return. "I want to return to the Dark Forest," he said softly. "There are still many time secrets to investigate so they do not emerge again."
Hina nodded. "I will meet you in those corridors whenever you need help."
Anoby touched the iron pipe at his waist. "I will not forget all we have gone through. This pipe… and every second we have risked."
Hina smiled. "And I will remain by your side, bringing light when darkness reemerges."
On that silent night, Rhumal Village celebrated their victory with a small bonfire in the village hall yard. The people danced, sang, and lit paper lanterns along the streets. Hina danced among the children, while Anoby stood a little apart, watching from a distance with a gentle smile, remembering every drop of sweat and blood spilled on this long journey.
That same night, a flicker of the past appeared: Selene's shadow surfaced in Anoby's mind, calling his name softly. Yet he refused to let himself be lost in memories. Anoby took one step forward, leaving past shadows behind and gazing at an uncertain future.
Thus ends Chapter 9: as the eclipse reached its peak, Anoby and Hina succeeded in entering the Wielder's core chamber. The ancient iron pipe vibrated awaiting the final strike, and every second brought them to the battle that determined this dimension's fate. Now, the eclipse had passed, and time began moving again—yet their trace remained embedded as light in the dark corridors that once challenged their courage.