Jirani jerked Niko’s arms behind his back, clamping his wrists harder every time Niko screamed. As Niko lie there, the pressure spread from his head down to his chest, then to his lower body where it melted into an odd, warming sensation.

“You must rise,” Niko heard a voice say.

What was that?

“You are not beaten.”

Niko opened his eyes, flickering with electric blue light. With an unearthly roar, he grabbed Jirani’s arms and slung him to the ground. Jirani slammed onto his back while Niko buckled to his knees. Niko forced his anvil-like body onto shaky ankles, his eyes blurred and heavy. I’m free…how’d I get loose?

Jirani slowly rose, his dirty chest heaving. The two adversaries barreled into one another with all their strengths, both of them toppling to the ground. Jirani drew one of his daggers from his pocket and hobbled over to Niko. With a gasp, Niko rolled away, feeling the breeze of the blade slashing down at him as it lightly punctured his arm. Jirani kicked Niko down and thrashed the blade again while Niko clasped his bloody arm, then smashed his foot into Niko’s chest. Niko swept his leg and tripped Jirani’s feet, then rammed into him with all his weight. Jirani thrust his dagger, his arm snatched by Niko as it closed in on him.

With a hiss, Jirani pushed the dagger closer, shredding Niko’s shirt collar. Niko twisted Jirani’s arm, leering at him through his glinting blue eyes. Jirani tensed his free arm and slugged Niko’s cheek. Niko dragged Jirani away by the hair as his shaky, blade-wielding arm inched nearer. Niko bellowed as he pushed Jirani’s arm away, driving the blade into his chest. Niko’s bright eyes suddenly faded, his face paling as Jirani’s bloody body flopped to the ground. Wh-what have I done?

Jirani’s horrific wheezing filled the air while he spasmed, blood pouring from his chest. “You…you…are…in-human…!”

Niko backed away, his heart jumping. “I-I didn’t want this to happen!”

Jirani rolled on his side, dragging himself closer to Niko. “This is not over.”

Niko shook his fists, gritting his teeth to fight his tears. “Why the fuck did you have to do this? You had no right, Jirani! It didn’t have to end this way!”

The infuriated man looked Niko square in the eye. “I had…no choice.” Tears welled in his bloodshot eyes. “I will be…redeemed.”

With one final breath, Jirani’s head fell, pale and frozen with scorn and shame. His fresh corpse lie there, while the stench of resentment lingered from their brawl. Niko dropped to his knees in shock. Alia ran down into the ring yelling his name, but he remained completely incognizant. She hugged him eagerly and helped him sit up. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, but I’m done,” Niko said exhaustedly.

“You killed him,” Alia said, holding her chest.

“I-I didn’t mean to! I lost control!”

“Just calm down. We need to get you out of here.” Alia looked around, and started tying his wound with scraps of Jirani’s shirt. “I’m so glad this is over. I’m so sorry.”

Niko patted her shoulder. “It ain’t your fault. He had this coming.”

They hugged one another as they sat there. “So what’s next for you?” she asked.

“I dunno. Guess I’ll figure it out when I get back to Gesnia.”

Alia’s eyes rolled along the ground. “I have to figure something out, too. I may have stay here a while.”

“How come?”

Alia sighed. “I used all my money to come here. I can’t leave until—”

A faint cough came from behind, and they turned to see Ekzera stepping towards them. Niko and Alia hesitantly stood up.

“Are you two alright?”

“I think so,” Niko replied, rubbing his face. “Sorry about all this. I hope he didn’t mess up your temple too much.”

Ekzera lowered his head. “You risked your lives to protect us. You’d be a hero in the eyes of the Oumiat. Thank you, young man.”

Niko half-smiled. “I don’t know about that.”

Ekzera pulled his arms from behind his back, holding the wicker box. “This is a small thank you. You’ve earned it.”

“Is that?” Alia said.

Ekzera handed the box to Niko. “Yes, the King’s treasure. Please accept it.”

“Thanks.” Niko opened the box, filled with stacks of green and bluish money bills and coins. “What about the others? Are they gonna be okay?”

“Of course. The Freedom Festival means more than it ever has, thanks to you and your friends. I’d be honored if you joined us here tomorrow—the Lords will gladly accept you as one of us.”

Niko chuckled lightly. “That’s real nice, I just think I should get back to Gesnia.”

Ekzera nodded. “I sense nature beckons you. Answer that call. You’re welcome here anytime.”

“Those sculptures in there really are beautiful,” Alia said, rubbing her arm. “It’s sad they couldn’t all be saved.”

“History tends to repeat itself,” Ekzera said, looking around the ancient grounds. “Nevertheless, it is part of every culture, the good and the bad. The Oumiat certainly have their share of history…much of which will stay hidden.”

Niko and Alia smiled at one another while they listened, their hands gently touching.

Ekzera ushered them over. “Come, let’s see if we can get you taken care of.”

He and Alia held onto Niko while they left the ring. Niko’s head suddenly lifted up, and he turned around. “Wait, what about—” Niko gasped. The field lie empty, with Jijikku nowhere to be seen.

“Wh-where’d he go?” Alia said, cringing.

“I don’t ever want to find out.”

The three hurried out of the ruin grounds and into the tunnel, their bodies disappearing into the shadows.

Atop the stairwell to the ruins, beneath the colonnade, Shigoh peered from behind one of the pillars, his eyes squinting against the sun. His pudgy body slumped down the stairs into the ring, where Jirani’s corpse lie. He sank to his knees, clasping his friend’s cool hand. His fist pounded into the ground, tears puddling in his eyes. Shigoh rose, his head held low as his hands pressed together. “My loyal friend, you may rest. It is my turn now.” Shigoh’s arms fell, his fists clenched as he left the ruins. Upon entering the tunnel, his foot dragged across something. He found the Black Assassin’s face mask lying on the ground, and with a frown he slowly pulled it over his head as he vanished into the corridor.