Adam held the Hands of Death artifact and called for Nirik. Instantly, Nirik appeared beside them, smiling, seemingly knowing everything that had just happened.
"I'll take them back to their world," Nirik stated, looking at Adam. "However, are you ready to return to yours?"
"Wait, I'm just wondering. Could I turn back time to get Serbas back?" Adam asked.
"Unfortunately, No," Nirik explained. "Since you have seen the celestial beings, you know they have been watching everything play out. What happened here is destined. If you decide to change the outcome, the celestials will interfere and send you to another world. It might not be the world you want to return to."
"Destined?! All of this has already happened? This outcome?" Adam pressed.
"Someday you will understand the power you hold. Yes, this outcome has already been destined. It might actually be the best outcome," Nirik countered. "Remember, Serbas didn't have to suffer for 100 years alone. His family returned exactly at the time he was trying to resurrect them. This world reset after his body became a dungeon for a reason. The timelines of the world are more complicated and intertwined by design. You can have some time to bid farewell to Vlad and Serbas's family. Vlad still has time due to your replicated heart."
Nirik then looked at Lyra. "Lyra, the Celestial being will teleport you to their domain."
"Wait, why do they want Lyra?" Adam asked, concerned.
Nirik only smiled. "You can ask her when she returns."
Adam turned to Vlad and Serbas's family. "Vlad, thank you for everything you did to help us. If we didn't have you as a friend, I doubt I could have gotten the artifact. This artifact meant a lot to me in saving my wife and child. I'm indebted to you, my friend," Adam said sincerely.
"You didn't hold back when you squeezed my heart," Vlad said, his voice weak but his sarcasm intact. "Hahaha, cough... I'm glad to have your trust and fight alongside you. If we ever meet again, my friend, I would want an outcome without you squeezing my heart."
"One day, I will come visit your world, my friend," Adam said, putting his hands on Vlad's shoulder.
Adam helped Vlad stand, preparing to send him off. "Sorry I didn't get to introduce myself earlier. I'm Adam. I heard the amount of love Serbas had for his family. I'm honored to meet all of you. I hope that Serbas would live a better life having his family by his side. May all of you and Vlad help to stop Serbas from going towards the wrong path."
"Thank you for your kind words," Dahlia replied, tears still marking her face. "I will make sure Serbas doesn't suffer like what he went through here. I'm Dahlia, the wife of Serbas. My son here is Amon, and my daughter is Lamia. We are indebted to what you did for us. I'll let Serbas know of your kind deed."
Nirik transformed into his Kirin form , opening a swirling dimensional portal. Dahlia and Amon helped Vlad walk through the portal as Lamia followed behind.
The portal closed. Adam looked around, seeing the towering dungeon and the rubbles of what was once the civilization he built.