Chapter 15

The incident concluded with Peter Pan’s defeat. The wings of the children’s reigning king in Neverland were broken, and he plummeted. The children, excluding Cassandra, were eager to kill Peter Pan right away but decided to hold off after being convinced by the mention of another victim.

They thanked me repeatedly for freeing them from Peter Pan, having no idea that a dark reaper truly existed. I replied that I was just as clueless.

We decided to bring down Neverland. We gathered the bone powder and belongings of the victims and also discovered the Magic Powder hidden by Peter Pan in his quarters. Though hesitant to use it, we had no choice but to sprinkle it on everyone since it was essential for our escape.

Instantly, an immense power surged through us, making us feel like we could do anything. Considering how long Peter Pan dominated Neverland with this power, it must’ve made everything seem so easy. Feeling irritated at the thought, I punched the unconscious Peter Pan’s head.

Seeing me punch him, others followed suit and struck Peter Pan’s head too.

A cremation was held for the terrifying carnivorous plant that had taken over Neverland. Cassandra and I personally conducted the ceremony because the disappearance of the curse-like blessing of Neverland with the plant’s death posed a risk of the entire island collapsing.

Cassandra looked up at the burning torches with a face full of conflicting emotions as she stared at the man-eating plant.

Her eyes were red.

“This is the final revenge. Thanks, Siyoo. Without you, I would’ve still been playing mom ignorantly, unaware of my sister’s death.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I avoided looking into her eyes, fearing I might cry if I did, and instead glanced at my thigh healed instantly by the Magic Powder.

“But…”

A tremor ran through Cassandra’s voice. Only after lifting my head and carefully observing her face did I realize…

“I don’t know how to live now. I just want to burn and die with this plant.”

Her face showed despair, wanting to give up everything, losing someone precious. Watching her expression filled me with pain. Thick tears streamed down Cassandra’s eyes like chicken droppings.

“Sniff… I can’t go on anymore. How can I return home alone to my parents? How…”

I recalled when my grandmother passed away. Memories of growing up under her care while my parents were busy came flooding back. It was hard to believe the world without her.

At first, I didn’t fully grasp the weight of her death, then I spent sleepless nights crying over the overwhelming sense of loss and regret for not being better to her. Each day made her absence more evident, making even breathing painful.

I desperately wished it had all been a dream, but dreams don’t come true. Eventually, time allowed me to grieve and rise again.

Even now, thinking about my grandmother makes me sad, but I kept moving forward, holding onto her last words to me in the hospital.

I quietly began speaking.

“I’ve lost someone dear too. That feeling of loss was indescribable. Living felt like not living at all. You must feel the same after being taken by Peter Pan and losing your beloved sister. It must be shameful to return to your parents. But someone told me…”

I took Cassandra’s hand and gripped the torch she held. Her eyes met mine in the flickering light.

“No matter how tough or painful things get, they will pass eventually. Don’t focus only on this moment. Even if you fall so hard that it feels like you’ll never get up again, keep pushing forward. That’s how you grow up. This moment may feel unbearable and scary, but you have to move forward. Your sister wouldn’t want you to end your story here. Show her in heaven that you’ll strive to become a great adult despite everything. You’re a strong and spirited older sister.”

Cassandra’s facial muscles twitched before she started sobbing quietly. She nodded and burst into tears. I guided her hand to stand confidently before the true master of Neverland.

The flower bud opened its mouth wide, mistaking the offering as tribute. How many lives had been lost here? How many children never grew up, never dreamed of a bright future?

We’re ending such tragic stories here today.

And starting new ones. Stories where children escape tragedy, dream of hopeful tomorrows, and grow into adults.

Whoosh! As the torch entered the flower’s mouth, the plant caught fire, writhing in agony, shaking its stems violently left and right.

Boom!

As the plant burned, a violent earthquake shook the island. The ground beneath us trembled violently. The magic binding Neverland was unraveling.

We quickly escaped from the burning plant. The island was falling. We flew up to reunite with the children.

The moon retreated, and the sun peeked out in the sunrise as Neverland, Peter Pan’s throne itself, blazed with flames and plunged into the sea.

SPLASH!

Neverland, floating in the sky, fell into the ocean, creating massive water columns and waves. Water sprayed down like rain as we watched the island’s final moments.

A place that once promised eternal youth now returned to being a regular island.

Cassandra and the children retained their youthful appearances despite the lifted spell, thankfully skipping the confusing process of aging.

I led the children to Captain Hook’s ship. Wendy’s ship stood firm against the colossal waves. On the deck, Hook and Ariel greeted us with cheerful waves.

We boarded the ship. Hook and Ariel rushed over.

“Prince! We waited! Hmm? Who’s that? Get away from my prince!”

Ariel puffed her cheeks, separating Cassandra from me and hugging me tightly. Cassandra’s eyes widened.

“Tsahahaha! Incredible! The legend was true! Thanks to the Black Reaper, finally, finally, my daughter…”

Hook’s pupils wavered. He couldn’t have forgotten his little girl’s face no matter how much time passed. His eyes scanned the children’s faces one by one.

“Hmm? Strange. Are my eyes deceiving me?”

Hook awkwardly smiled and rubbed his eyes, but his face hardened upon realizing the truth.

Silently, I pulled out the pendant I’d kept in my pocket and handed it to Hook. Maintaining silence, he accepted it.

Opening the pendant, he confirmed it belonged to his daughter, Wendy, and weakly chuckled.

“Tsahahaha… Tsahah…”

He looked up at the sky, basking in the warm sunlight before closing his eyes. A shimmering tear formed at the corner of his eye and slid down his cheek.

Hook spoke with a breaking voice.

“Yes, I knew. I anticipated this situation. Didn’t want to imagine it, though. Yes, my little princess is no longer here.”

[Sadness. Heartbreak. Regret]

Ariel approached Hook with a sorrowful face and hugged him tightly.

“Tsahahaha! Who’d have thought I’d be consoled by Ariel. Tsahah, Tsahahaha…”

Hook’s laughter was more tearful than ever. His shoulders shook as he silently wept in Ariel’s embrace, covering his face with his hand.

We silently observed the scene of those left behind in anguish.

After calming down a bit, Hook returned to his usual cheerful self.

“Tsahahaha! Embarrassing! I showed an embarrassing side in front of the kids!”

[Is Captain Hook okay?]

Hook roughly tousled Ariel’s red hair until it was messy.

“Aaah! Stop it!”

“Tsahahaha! Tough, but expected. Siyoo, I don’t know how to thank you.”

I gently shook my head with a soft smile.

“Not at all. Just like how Captain helped me, I merely helped. And there’s something else we need to finish.”

At my signal, the children nodded and brought the unconscious Peter Pan forward, recounting all that happened and detailing his vile deeds to Captain Hook. Ariel and Hook’s faces twisted gravely upon hearing the tale.

They glared at Peter Pan with chilling malice.

And then I saw it. Peter Pan’s toes twitched.

Yes. He was faking sleep.

Like the coward he is.