The priest smiles, picking up the mime mask.
Outside, a monarch butterfly flutters its wings, flying toward the dawn rising through the gray clouds behind the mountains.
Marcelo, Ofelia, Abraham... They are all dead.
It is then he realizes Ismael Niebuhr didn't survive the night either.
Never settle for less than you deserve, his mother had told him.
The mask in his hands is exquisite: two hollow aces of diamonds instead of eyes and a carved, black smile twisting his lips.
Promise me you will be great.
"I promise," said Ismael.
The king puts on his mask and steps out the tunnel as he sees the sunrise on the horizon.
The End