"Why did you come here?" Tashia asked, glancing back at the person silently following her. They walked together through the darkness, searching for something—anything.
A figure emerged in the gloom: a woman, whole and complete—Leah, in her true form. She didn't speak, but her presence guided them, as if they were meant to follow. They quickened their pace instinctively.
"Don't get left behind," Tashia warned her companion. "You might not be able to come back."
They soon stumbled upon a surprising sight: three souls gathered. Sharlene was embracing Leah tightly.
"Return to your true self, Leah. I know the pain you carry. You've already avenged your suffering—don't stain your soul further," Sharlene pleaded through quiet sobs.
Leah shook her head. "No. I can't stop now," she replied, her voice trembling but resolute. "I need to chase them. Don't follow me. Don't ask me again."
Just then, a child's voice broke the tension. "Tita…" It was Ashley, approaching gently. "Your baby is waiting for you on the other side."
Tears welled in Leah's eyes. Ashley clutched her hand. "Please, return to your true self, Tita. They're waiting."
Another voice joined—Lawrence. He ran to Leah and embraced her. "I'm sorry. We didn't look for you. We believed the rumors. I'll fix this. I'll take care of everything, Tita Leah. We made a terrible mistake."
Leah wept. Tashia felt the deep sorrow that radiated from her soul.
Suddenly, Leah walked toward the storm of pain and anger that had consumed her. Sharlene followed with tear-filled eyes.
"Leah, every choice we make brings karma. This pain—we all share in it. My mother, my grandmother, even my child. Our ancestors. Our decisions brought this upon us."
She paused. "But now… it's time. Let karma run its course. Return to yourself. Let go."
A transformation began. Leah embraced herself tightly, her soul slowly becoming whole. She now wore a simple white dress—pure, peaceful.
Then, Manuel stepped forward and hugged her.
"There are no words," he whispered. "Even if I rot in this darkness forever… I deserve it."
Sharlene helped him to his feet.
"Manuel," Leah said softly, "I will never forgive you for what you did to our child. But it's not my place to decide your fate. Leave now. This place is falling apart."
And fall it did. As they fled the crumbling palace, three figures emerged—Felicia, Raymundo, and Manuel.
"You no longer have the power to imprison us, Leah," Felicia sneered.
"Grandma, that's enough," Tashia said.
"Let go of the past, Lola. Let go of your greed. If you carry that to the end, you'll never find peace," Sharlene added.
Turning to Raymundo, she said, "You never acknowledged me as your granddaughter when Mom died. But I survived without you."
She softened slightly, looking at Manuel. "Thank you for helping Ashley… and for caring for me when my parents couldn't."
Manuel suddenly hugged her. "Ellena… I'm so sorry. I was a coward. I failed you. I should have saved you."
"I know, Uncle." Sharlene smiled sadly.
A radiant light appeared—and with it, four souls. Carmela and Donald stepped forward.
"Ellena… is that you?" Carmela asked gently.
Sharlene nodded. Carmela ran to her and embraced her tightly. "My child…"
Sharlene was stunned. Tears streamed down her face as Ashley took her hand and smiled.
"So much drama," Raymundo muttered. "Are you here to pick us up?"
"No," Carmela replied with a sigh. "We're not here to fetch you."
She turned to Leah. "Have you made your choice?"
Leah nodded silently. Carmela reached for her hand and smiled. "Be happy with your child. You're strong, Ellena. I'm proud of you."
Sharlene simply nodded as tears continued to fall. Leah followed Carmela, ready at last to let go.
Donald lingered behind, holding a crying baby in his arms.
"Aunt Tashia," Ashley whispered, "that's Tita Leah's baby."
Leah took her baby from Donald, crying softly.
"Wait for us!" Angely's voice called out—but then, she and Manuel vanished into the shadows.
"What now?" Angely asked Felicia.
Felicia smiled. "We will take the place of the travelers."
They were shocked. Before anyone could react, Felicia vanished.
"We have to return—or we'll be trapped here," Tashia urged.
Everyone nodded. A sudden wave of dizziness hit her. She gasped, clutching her head. And then… she woke up.
"Vivianne?" she called weakly.
She looked around at her companions—safe, alive.
"Worried they'd take over your body?" Vivianne asked. Tashia nodded.
"Where are they?"
"Back in the darkness," Vivianne replied. "While your spirit traveled, I made sure no wandering soul could take control. That old woman underestimated me."
Tashia turned to Sharlene, who still hadn't woken up. Her chest tightened with worry.
"Sis Sharlene?" she whispered.
Lawrence entered. "What happened?"
"Maybe… Sharlene couldn't handle the spirit journey," Tashia said.
"She's never done it before," Vivianne added.
"We need to monitor her," Justine said solemnly. "That's the price, isn't it?"
Everyone nodded. Ashley remained silent, but the concern in her eyes said everything.
They let Sharlene rest. Sheila remained unconscious too.
Tashia stared out into the room and asked herself—
"Will we finally be able to breathe?"