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Cain's willpower, soul, and body had come to terms with the finality of death. Ironically, that acceptance brought him to a sublime state of quietude. All the worries of the world—each future plan, every scheme, and the endless machinations he had juggled since taking up the mantle of the Scarlet King—simply faded. For the first time in ages, his mind felt free. There was neither burden nor regret, only an expansive serenity.

At this moment, Cain sensed a deeper connection to the universe than he ever had before. The golden light in his eyes intensified, growing brighter and brighter. For an instant, the barrier that separated him from the rest of existence vanished, granting him an inkling of profound oneness with everything. At the cellular and even atomic level, it felt as if his being fell into perfect harmony with the cosmos.