The Light That Remained

The sky, once bleeding crimson and scarred by divine calamity, had begun to mend. As the last remnants of chaos drifted into the ether, light returned to the world—not harsh or searing, but warm, gentle... like a long-awaited sunrise after an endless storm.

Felicia stood still amid the fading embers, her body trembling from exhaustion, golden light still flickering faintly in her hands. She had given everything—mind, soul, and what little power she had left—to hold that Solar Embryo between her palms. She had no idea it would be strong enough to protect so many.

Suddenly, arms wrapped around her with fervent warmth.

"You did it, Felicia!" Riah's voice broke with joy, her body crashing into Felicia's with a happy, almost childlike energy. Tears streamed down her face as she laughed and cried at once. "That was amazing—I knew you had it in you!"

Felicia, still catching her breath, smiled through misty eyes. "I-I only did it because... because of you and Kazimir. I never would've reached that point without your light showing me how to shine."

Vanessa approached next, her imposing form somehow softened by her quiet admiration. "Still," she said, folding her arms, "that was incredible. I've never seen an ability resonate like that... not even among the Highbloods of Nullity."

Felicia stumbled slightly, her legs weak, cheeks red from the praise. "Y-Yeah but... it wasn't as incredible as what you three did. That Final Eclipse..." Her voice trembled with awe. "It felt like witnessing the birth of a new universe."

Riah gently placed her hands on Felicia's shoulders, shaking her head. "No, Felicia. You're part of that too. The Final Eclipse wouldn't have even ignited without your light stabilizing our souls. You filled a role that no one else could. You were the first spark—the one who never let anyone die, even when all seemed lost."

Felicia's lips parted, but no words came. Just tears. Riah hugged her again, tighter this time, as if trying to pour every ounce of gratitude into that embrace.

"You were the heart of this battle, Felicia. You've done more than well... you've saved us all."

From the edge of the battlefield, footsteps approached. Each one echoed with pressure—heavy, dimensional, like gravity itself bowed to the presence. Kazimir emerged, still in his Maw of the End state—his body cloaked in jagged dimensional rifts and divine lightning.

Even through his emotionless mask, there was a softness in his tone.

"Felicia," he said calmly, his eyes finding hers. "I've been told... you were the one who protected me. That you spent every drop of your power removing the effect of Ingress's cursed blade."

She looked up at him, hands trembling, and smiled as tears fell once again. "I-I only did what I could... I didn't want to lose you too."

Kazimir, for the briefest of moments, smiled. "...Thank you. Your efforts saved this world far more than mine."

Nearby, Tyrone and Lihanna returned to their base forms, their limbs shaky, clothes torn from the battle. They stood atop the ruined hillside, staring down at the reunited group.

Lihanna leaned against Tyrone's shoulder, her voice quiet. "Looks like... it's finally over."

"Yeah," Tyrone sighed, placing a hand over hers. "But... Capriha's in ruins. It's gonna take more than just power to get it back on its feet."

"Sadly, yeah," she whispered, watching the sunrise reflect on broken towers and cracked streets.

Raijin appeared next, hauling Kamaki with an arm slung around his shoulder. Kamaki coughed violently, but his grin was maddeningly wide.

"Man... that was fun," he wheezed, "I'm gonna need another beast like that to show up again."

Raijin glared. "For what? So you can shit yourself again? You were terrified, and only in the end grew a pair."

Kamaki barked a laugh. "WELL SHIT, at least mine dropped lower than yours, soft-ass boy!"

Raijin's eyes flared. "What the hell did you just say? Bro, you get NO bitches—I'll beat your ass so hard your aura will be allergic to women!"

Kamaki puffed out his chest. "We'll see about that. Watch me get laid before sundown!"

Jessie's voice cut through the noise like a whip. "WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP?! You're giving me a damn headache!"

Neve giggled beside her, amused despite herself.

Away from the noise, Gendai stood alone. Watching. Her gaze swept across the team—their laughter, their pain, their victories. She held her arms at her sides, quiet as the wind tugged at her hair.

You... You've embraced your true nature, haven't you, she thought, eyes resting on Kazimir. You've let go of the illusion of kindness, of belonging. You faced the reality I couldn't.

And now… I wonder if I've always been the one running away.

Vanessa, her hands folded behind her back, turned to Kazimir. "One more thing. If you don't mind, I'd like to take Tyrone and Lihanna with me to Vrasnia. It's unusual for me to train others, but... they've caught my interest."

Kazimir tilted his head slightly. "I've no objection... but Tyrone's mine. I've watched over his growth since the beginning. You should've seen how broken he was when we first met."

Vanessa gave a rare, amused smirk. "Fine. I'll take Lihanna."

"That's fair." Kazimir nodded once. "Besides... I'm going too."

Everyone looked up.

Kazimir's voice deepened with conviction. "Earth doesn't need any of us. Humanity doesn't want us—not really. I will spare the Astral Legion... they're the only thing Earth still has. But this world sees me as tool but i wont fight for a world where im trying to make a change to live like a normal person but instead use me as a weapon to learn about me and then take me down. "He looked around at his companions. "So I will no longer exist for them."

There was silence.

Then, one by one, heads nodded. First Vanessa. Then Riah. Then Gendai. Then everyone else.

Kazimir looked to them with a rare smile. "Then pack your things. We're heading to Vrasnia."

Riah stepped forward, holding Kazimir's hand.

"I won't leave my mother here, though," she said gently. "I think... it's time you met her, Kazimir."

He met her gaze with quiet softness. "I'd be honored."

The storm was over. The gods had fallen silent.

And in the ash of war, they stood—warriors reborn not by power...…but by the bonds they chose to protect.