A Heart That Cannot Beat

Ato stared at Lee, who stood motionless, gazing at the black hole, her expression blank.

Her white hair danced in the wind, her crimson eyes reflecting only calmness, as if she hadn't just uttered those chilling words.

Ato wondered if he'd imagined it. The gentle Lee he knew would never say such a thing.

But her next words chilled him to the bone.

"Once the black hole erupts, it'll swallow the entire continent in under ten minutes. Most people at Fire Moth HQ, let alone the civilians, won't be able to evacuate." Lee didn't even glance at the injured Ato. "Your ability to delay the eruption is invaluable. Even a single second can save countless lives."

"Of course, you'll die… but it'll be a worthy sacrifice. Many will live because of you. You'll die a hero."

Her voice was cold, devoid of emotion, as if she wasn't sending a longtime friend and comrade to his death, but discarding a useless tool, hoping to squeeze out one last bit of use.

"Didn't you say you'd do anything for Griseo and Bianka? This is your chance. If the black hole erupts now, many at HQ will die. The few escape routes will be overrun. Are you sure they'll be safe?"

"So go die, Ato. Sacrificing you to save so many… it's a good trade."

"…"

Ato stared at Lee, then chuckled bitterly, struggling to stand with his remaining arm.

"Lee, I understand… Even if you hadn't said it, I would have done it. Some things… you don't have to say out loud."

Turning towards the black void, a look of determination crossed his face. "Please take care of Griseo and Bianka for me."

Without hesitation, he walked towards his death—

"Wait."

Lee's voice stopped him. _Perhaps she can't bear to see me sacrifice myself, wants to劝解 me_—Ato thought.

But it was too late. He'd made his decision. He would protect his daughter, his wife, and their world—

"I can't rule out the possibility of you… deserting your post after I leave. I need to take precautions… I'll place a mental command on you, ensuring you won't run."

Lee's words froze Ato in his tracks.

"You have spatial abilities. If you prioritize your family, you could quickly return to HQ and force your way onto an escape route."

"…Lee, are you saying I'd desert my post, that I need you to… supervise me mentally?"

Ato turned, his eyes filled with anger, shock, and above all, disappointment.

He never thought he'd hear such words, not from the despised higher-ups, but from Lee.

He felt a sense of… pathetic amusement. Had he been so blind all these years, unable to see Lee's true nature?

"People can be unpredictable. How can I know what you're thinking?" Lee's voice was flat. "I need this mental command to trust you."

"…" Ato opened his mouth, then closed it, any words seeming absurd.

Finally, he scoffed. "After all this time, to misjudge someone so badly… I'm such an idiot… Fine, do as you please, oh great leader. If it makes your non-beating heart feel better."

"…Think what you will." Lee lowered her eyes. "As long as more people survive, I don't care."

Ato saw Lee gesture towards him, but he didn't feel any mental compulsion—perhaps because he'd never intended to run, he'd already accepted his fate.

"After all these years, this is the first time someone accused me of being a deserter."

Without another glance at Lee, Ato charged towards the pseudo-black hole. The raging winds suddenly calmed.

Though only temporarily.

"…The Ninth Herrscher has been defeated, but the pseudo-black hole she created before dying is capable of swallowing Mu. All MANTIS in the assault team are dead. Ato is delaying the expansion, buying us approximately three hours. Begin evacuation procedures."

Lee calmly relayed the information to HQ, then closed the communication channel, ignoring the panicked questions from the other side.

All life around her had been extinguished. Ato was gone, swallowed by the void. Lee stood alone on the desolate wasteland, looking up at the gloomy sky.

After a long silence, she placed her hand on her chest, a strange smile on her face, whispering,

"It really doesn't beat."

[Holy crap, I told you Lee would be affected by the Herrscher! Here we go!]

[Even the MANTIS surgery has side effects. The artificial Herrscher procedure is even more invasive. It makes sense that there would be consequences. Looks like her mind is affected.]

[Did I jinx it? Is Lee really going to become the Herrscher of Sentience again?]

[Have faith in Jail Lee! Don't let the Herrscher win the rematch!]

[But Ato died just like that? I thought his family was all happy and stuff in the Elysian Realm, not all tragic and dramatic.]

[Well, he has a family. The other crazies are all loners—the power of family!]

[Shouldn't you be wondering why Ato is still in the Elysian Realm if he's dead?]

[It's probably a memory construct created by Griseo, or maybe she just… drew her parents back into existence.]

[Forget the Elysian Realm, I think Lee is going to become Jail Lee again. All Herrschers except the Final Herrscher were defeated in the Previous Era. If Lee becomes a Herrscher again, she's definitely going to die.]

[I think the influence is gradual. She was clearly affected by Ato's words about her heart not beating. Doesn't seem like a Herrscher.]

[How can you tell she was affected? She was smiling!]

[Not a moment of silence for Lee's death, the Herrscher of Sentience, piloting Jail Lee's corpse, immediately rushes to the rematch!]