Part 8/9:
On the brink of confrontation, Eric plunges into the water, evading capture as he makes it onto the safety of a boat, leaving Sam behind. In a heartbreaking farewell, he carries her memory with him, promising to take care of Frodo.
The story culminates in a reflection on loss, hope, and the enduring spirit of life amid chaos. Sam's unresolved desires lead her to a final moment of confrontation. As she stands in the streets, surrounded by destruction and reflecting on her past, a fateful encounter awaits her, illuminating the juxtaposition of her inner and outer worlds—life intertwining with death, hope overshadowed by despair.