With Harambe’s defeat, the sixth level flickers white before plunging into darkness, leaving only souls and other beings visible in it. The team stands motionless, gazing at the ground where the doghouse once stood. Now, with neither the dog nor the doghouse in sight, they take in their new surroundings, leaving Torture’s and Harambe’s essence undisturbed. The weight of their victory hangs heavy in the air, more profound than any they’ve experienced before.

  “So…does this mean we’re done?” Wyn asks, his voice uncertain.

  “Not sure,” David replies, his eyes fixed on the shimmering essence pools below. “But I’ll report this to the nerds and see what they say.”

  “Hope the level doesn’t explode like in those movies where everything self-destructs at the end,” Wyn says.

  The team remains silent, gazing at the two sparkling pools of essence. Unlike their triumph on the previous level, this moment feels different. On one hand, they’re elated – they’ve come so far, defying every obstacle. Yet on the other, a bittersweet realization settles in. Their journey – everything they’ve trained for, every bond they’ve forged and lost, and the emotions they’ve shared – is nearing its end. The future looms uncertain, a vast void filled with answered questions.

  Mira presses James’ and Jesús’ bands against her chest, closing her eyes as she lets the weight of everything sink in. As she exhales, she breaks the silence with a triumphant shout, “WE’VE DONE IT! Oppa! You kept your promises and brought us to the end!”

  The rest of the team erupts into cheers, but Wyn and David remain more subdued. “I couldn’t bring all of us here,” Wyn says quietly, his gaze fixed on the endless darkness above. “We lost friends along the way, and I wish they were here to see this.”

  David wraps an arm around Wyn’s shoulders. “I feel you,” he says softly. “But a new era is upon us, and we have a chance to shape it. Let’s make the future a better place for everyone.” His smile wavers, giving way to tears that spill freely. The team gathers around him and Wyn, their shared grief and joy blending together.

  “I still remember our first meeting, Wyn,” Yu says, a big smile breaking through despite the tears streaking down his face. “We never imagined reaching the seventh level of Hell, and now here we are – defeating Heaven’s last guardian.”

  “And the time you guys almost left me behind,” Mira chuckles through her own teary smile, giving Wyn and Yu a playful pinch on their shoulders.

  “You know, we still feel bad about that!” Wyn replies with a light chuckle.

  “Yes! That was ‘whorible’ of us! We swear never to leave you behind again!” Yu teases.

  The team forms a circle, each stacking both hands one by one in the center, their shared bond stronger than ever.

  “To our victory, to us, and to all our fallen friends who couldn’t be here with us,” Wyn declares, his voice trembling with emotion. The team echoes his words three times, their voices quivering but resolute.

  When the chant ends, they crumble into tears, their hands shifting to wrap around each other’s shoulders in a tight embrace. They stay like this for a while, their quiet sobs and sniffles filling the space as they let their emotions flow freely – so overwhelmed with joy that they forget the war isn’t over yet.

  The moment is interrupted by a message from the nerds, breaking the circle. The team gathers as David opens it and reads aloud:

  “We are thrilled with your accomplishment and have relayed this news to Big D. He’s most pleased and has instructed you to gather the essence and remain on the sixth level until further notice. We thank you deeply for your sacrifices and hard work.

  PS: All of us are literally jumping for joy and cheering right now!

  PSS: We’ll let the cats know about this and will most likely throw a HUGE celebration!”

  The team gets a chuckle out of the nerds’ message, fully aware of what their "celebration" is going to be like – if the tone of the message was anything to go by, it would involve more than just cheers. But as they collect the essence, the sound of muffled sobs from the surviving children pulls their attention back to the scene around them. The young souls, likely traumatized by the loss of their friends and their ruler, Harambe.

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  “I’m starting to feel bad for them now,” Lisa says softly, her gaze fixed on the weeping children.

  “With these kids here...erm, dead...why am I suddenly reminded of the USA?” she adds after a pause.

  “It’s that weird country where CEOs get better protection than children,” David replies, shaking his head. “Fixing that is definitely on the list of things I want to change when we’re out of here.”

  “Oh, speaking of changes – David, you’re becoming god!” Yu chimes in, breaking the tension with his characteristic energy.

  David shakes his head firmly. “No way. Wyn’s the better choice for that. I’m too soft to rule.”

  Wyn chuckles, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. “Me? I’m not soft? I can be pretty indecisive, you know?”

  David meets his eyes. “In difficult times, you always acted when it counted.”

  Wyn laughs, brushing off the praise. “Without you, I would’ve crumbled under the pressure, David.”

  Wyn suggests putting it to a vote, hoping the others will recall their previous discussion back in Hell. Mira hesitates, torn between voting for Wyn and honoring their earlier agreement. With a soft sigh, she casts her vote for David. The others follow suit, resulting in a four-to-one vote, with David clearly seen as the most fitting for the role.

  David smiles, “I’m honored, but it’s up to Big D anyway. For now, let’s...what’s there to do here?”

  Lisa suggests talking to the crying children to gather information about David's kids. The team sets off, asking the children if they know anything about David’s children or have seen them. Some of the children cry even harder at the sight of Hell souls, while others try their best to answer, but none have any clue where David’s children might be.

  On their way back to the portal, they come across the spot where the two wooden houses once stood. This time, however, cockroaches are feasting on the children. Mama Roach, noticing the team, scuttles toward them with excitement, her antennae twitching eagerly. Along with her adolescent roach babies, who can also speak, she's more than willing to assist in gathering information about David’s children.

  At Mama Roach’s request, the team moves to rest nearby the portal, chatting casually until they hear the flapping of wings. A flock of roaches comes flying toward them.

  “I’m serious, these guys give me chills, the worst kind of chills down my spine, especially when they fly,” Wyn mutters, eyeing the incoming swarm warily.

  On Mama Roach, a child resembling the age of David’s older child, is perched. She’s dropped off in the middle, surrounded by the team and the roaches. The young girl, terrified but compelled by Mama Roach’s spiky legs, as one of Mama Roach’s big legs courses across her face, prompting her to speak when urged.

  The souls' eyes widen in surprise, then erupt in cheers when they learn that it was David’s children whom the archangels took away earlier.

  “They may still be alive after all, Mister David!” Lisa exclaims, while David stands frozen in shock, as if caught in a dream.

  Meanwhile, in Hell, Dark Force gathers all the nerds and the CATOTO family cats at the square, his expression as neutral as ever. After announcing the Hell army’s accomplishment, the crowd erupts into a mix of cheers and tears of joy. Cateto, in particular, sobs at the news, happy yet worried about the status of his favorite Hell souls, given the lack of updates from David.

  “We don’t know who’s still left in the army, but at least David is,” Dark Force declares. “He’s my only choice to ascend to godhood.” The crowd cheers in agreement.

  Dark Force raises his hand, signaling for silence.

  “Don’t celebrate too soon. This isn’t over yet. I still have to defeat my counterpart, and things could get ugly.” His words are met with a heavy silence from the crowd.

  Cateto’s unease grows, his chest tightening as if the weight of the situation is too much to bear. He can’t quite process the magnitude of the Hell souls’ suffering, and yet, the war isn’t over.

  Back with the team, their chatter is cut short as a smaller portal opens nearby.

  “You!” Yu exclaims, spotting the figure stepping through.

  It’s Dark Force, and he’s alone. Without hesitation, Wyn moves to the front, his frustration clear as he complains about how “useless” the moderators were during the fights.

  “We had the cats, and we had the army. Heaven couldn’t get past any of the moderators, correct? The combined effort was our defense,” Dark Force replies with a smile. But Wyn doesn’t seem satisfied with the explanation.

  Taking a moment, Dark Force shifts the tone, explaining what’s to come for the souls. The team’s expressions shift as the news sinks in – they still have to push forward, still have to take part in the final battle. Wyn’s agitation grows as he clenches his fists, his eyes darting between his teammates, the weight of the situation settling heavily on him. He’s worried – deeply worried – for their safety.

  They gather in a circle one last time, their arms wrapped around each other.

  “Not like we have a choice, so let’s do this!” Wyn says. “Our priority is to stay safe and let them fight. If the other one wins, we’ll pledge allegiance to him.” His tone lowers to a whisper.

  And with that, the team nods in agreement, a silent promise exchanged to stay alive, no matter the outcome of the war. All they know is that one of the creators will fall, and the war will end – one way or another. Hands held firmly, they step into the portal after Dark Force, their breaths shaky as they find themselves on the final level of Heaven – the seventh level.