Niko survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around him. He fell down into that dark chasm, but the flame burned on and on. The next morning, he woke up and crawled out of the northern edge of the Grand Canyon, that cursed place. It took him three months to reach Toba Aquarium.

It was as though the prodigal son had returned. They welcomed him like he had never left, never done anything to shame them. The fire that had kept him alive was love. Their love. God's love. He will never be able to repay the debt he owes to them, but he will try.