Then, with a small nod from Hero Claire, Hero Tina finally nodded back.
The air between them shifted—not lighter, but clearer. A silent agreement passed through the three of them.
Tina took a shaky breath, then steadied herself. Her hands, still trembling slightly, lowered from her face. She looked directly at Rena, then at Claire.
I told the other heroes… to spread a different story. That the missing male heroes… were helping the otherworldly heroes cure the half-monster men.
Rena's jaw tightened, but she didn't interrupt.
Claire's squint sharpened.
And the real reason?
Tina's voice dropped, almost a whisper.
The real reason… is that we didn't know what to do. And we were afraid.
She paused, her eyes glistening.
Afraid that if the kingdoms found out the truth—that the heroes themselves had become half-monsters—there would be panic. War. Blame.
She looked at Rena.
And Anna… she was the first to figure it out. Before anyone else.
Rena's breath caught, but she held herself still.
Tina continued, her words coming faster now, as if a dam had broken.
Anna didn't want to hide it. She wanted to go straight to the kings and demand action. But the other heroes—they convinced her to wait. To give them time to find a cure.
Claire's voice was low.
And then she died.
Tina nodded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
That night… after the battle with the dragon… Anna went back to check on the fallen male heroes. She thought she could reason with them. Save them.
She swallowed hard.
No one knows exactly what happened. But when we found her… she was already gone. And the half-monsters… they were just standing there. Silent. As if… waiting.
Rena finally spoke, her voice rough.
Waiting for what?
Tina shook her head.
I don't know. Maybe for someone to end it. Maybe for another chance.
Silence fell again, heavier than before.
Claire uncrossed her arms and stepped closer to Tina.
Then why are you telling us this now?
Tina looked at Rena.
Because she's Anna's student. Because she has the same fire. And because… running and hiding hasn't fixed anything. It's only made it worse.
She turned to Claire.
And you, Claire… you came looking for answers. I owe you that much.
Rena let out a long breath, then looked toward the half-monster males still lingering in the distance.
So what do we do now?
Tina straightened her posture, her magic book finally floating steadily beside her again.
First, we report the truth. Not to the kingdoms—not yet. But to the other heroes who are still hiding it. We need them to stop pretending.
Claire nodded slowly.
And then?
Tina's eyes hardened.
Then we find a way to really cure them. Or… we find a way to end their suffering without erasing who they were.
Rena placed a hand on the hilt of her great sword, which had reappeared at her side.
Then let's not waste time.
For the first time that morning, the three of them stood with the same purpose.
The sun climbed higher. The shadows shortened. And somewhere in the distance, a bird sang—as if the world itself was finally ready to listen.