Everyone had gathered for Elysia's farewell banquet.
The great hall of the Elysian Realm had been decorated to dazzling perfection, a magnificent stage prepared for the radiant girl whose brilliance was like that of fluttering petals—so she could spend the final moment of her life bathed in beauty.
Yet, to everyone's surprise—
Elias, the white-haired boy, was late.
As the sun rose higher in the sky, his figure was still nowhere to be seen. The Flame-Chasers exchanged puzzled glances, unable to understand why he hadn't appeared.
However…
"It's alright. Eli will come," Elysia said firmly.
She stood at the entrance of the grand hall, so that the moment Elias pushed open the doors, he would see her first—dressed in her bridal gown, the image of the Herrscher of Humanity.
"We promised yesterday that today, Eli would propose to me. He will definitely keep his word. He may be late—but he would never miss it."
"But even if he doesn't come, that's okay too. That way, he won't have to see me fade away. It would be a little regretful... but it might also spare him some pain."
"Either way, I'll wait for him—until the very last second of today."
When a few of the Flame-Chasers tried to go search for Elias, Elysia stopped them. To her, either outcome was acceptable—because the ending would be the same.
"..." ×13
The thirteen Flame-Chasers exchanged glances, then quietly returned to their seats. Not a single one of them blamed the white-haired youth for his lateness.
All of them knew—Elias had his reasons for everything he did, and every reason was always the right one.
Thus, they decided to stay by Elysia's side and wait with her until the end of the day. If the white-haired boy did not appear, they would bear witness to the pink-haired girl's final curtain call in his stead.
Crack!!
Suddenly, at that moment, a spatial rift tore open in the ceiling of the grand hall. Before anyone could react, a figure of pure white descended from it.
"Ely! Everyone! I'm finally back!"
"E-Eli?!"
"Elias?!" ×13
Everyone stared in astonishment—none had expected Elias to make such a dramatic entrance.
Elysia froze for a second, gazing at him. Something about him felt... different.
Compared to the Elias of yesterday, the one standing before her now carried a new aura—tempered, profound, and beyond words, as though time itself had molded him.
Yet, his radiant, sun-like smile remained unchanged. And that alone was enough to fill Elysia's heart with peace.
"Eli, where were you? I almost thought you weren't coming toda—ah!"
Before she could finish, Elias pulled her into a tight embrace. After millennia apart, the sight of his friends overwhelmed him beyond words.
He held Elysia so tightly it was as if he wanted to merge her into his very being. And even then, that embrace couldn't begin to express a fraction of what he felt.
"Eli, what's wrong?"
"Nothing... I just missed you all so much."
"Eh? But we just saw each other yesterday—"
"One night... was far, far too long. To me, it felt no different from ten thousand years. And... sorry for keeping everyone waiting. I didn't mean to be late."
Elias steadied himself, taking a deep breath to calm the emotions surging in his chest.
"I just went somewhere very, very far away—to find the perfect stage for today."
"Stage?"
"Of course. This is the most important day of all. Our curtain call must be grand and resplendent! So—welcome, everyone, to the enchanting Golden Theater!"
As he spoke, Elias opened a portal using his Herrscher of Dominance's authority, drawing everyone into his own created space—a magnificent golden theater, entirely unlike the old Theater of Domination.
A vast coliseum of pure gold stretched for a thousand meters.
Countless scarlet rose petals drifted down from the heavens, while the banners of the fifteen Flame-Chasers fluttered proudly in the air.
At the same time, gentle and melodious music began to play. According to Elias' will, the Golden Theater echoed with the tune of The Wedding March—so graceful, solemn, and full of emotion.
"W-wow! What... what is all this? It's so extravagant! Eh? Eli, that outfit—~"
"My dearest Ely has dressed herself so beautifully. Naturally, I had to make myself worthy of you as well."
Before anyone could recover from the overwhelming splendor of the Golden Theater, Elias himself transformed—becoming even more radiant and magnificent than the golden hall itself.
Twelve Herrscher Authorities intertwined, forming an exquisite ceremonial attire. Six golden wings—each one forged from pure divine light—spread majestically from his back. Atop his head, twin golden dragon horns grew like a crown.
Had it not been for the brilliant warmth of humanity still shining in his eyes, everyone might have mistaken him for a god.
"Let us reclaim the time we've lost and mend the regrets of our past. Today marks the end of our civilization—but for that very reason, let us sing the praises of life in all its beauty."
As Elias spoke, the Golden Theater grew even brighter, its brilliance filling every corner.
Elysia stood frozen, staring at her lover who had completely taken command of the scene. For a moment, it felt as if everything had strayed from her plan.
But then...
She smiled softly, realizing—it was perfect this way.
(Elias... you always surprise me. I thought I had prepared everything to perfection, but now you've given me an even more beautiful stage. I'm... so happy...)
Elysia brushed away the glimmer in her eyes.
Elias gazed deeply into the girl before him—dressed in her bridal gown, radiant as the Herrscher of Human. Placing one hand over his chest, he extended the other toward her with gentle grace.
"Ely, may I have this dance?"
"Of course, my dearest Eli!"
Without hesitation, Elysia took his hand, as though entrusting her entire being to him.
To the melody's slow rhythm, they danced together in midair above the Golden Theater. Rose petals cascaded around them like rain, creating a scene of breathtaking beauty and romance.
The other Flame-Chasers could only stare, lost in awe.
They were witnessing the most beautiful boy and the most beautiful girl in the world—dancing together in the most romantic way imaginable.
Though none of them took part, just watching Elias and Elysia filled their hearts with an indescribable happiness. The two shared an aura so radiant that merely seeing them together made the world seem right.
For a time, the Flame-Chasers forgot everything—the sorrow, the looming farewell. The sight before them was simply too beautiful to believe tragedy could follow.
When the dance ended, Elysia leaned into Elias' arms, still lost in the blissful afterglow. Her resolve, which had been so strong before, wavered beneath the weight of her happiness.
(I wish... I could stay like this forever...)
But before she could regain her composure, Elias took her hand again and led her into yet another wave of joy—as if he wished to drown her in an ocean of happiness.
And while the Flame-Chasers basked in the warmth of the grand celebration he had prepared—forgetting all grief and worry—
Dong~! Dong~! Dong~!
A deep, resonant chime rang out from nowhere, echoing through the Golden Theater like a solemn declaration.
"Finally... it's time."
Elias whispered to himself.
He took Elysia's hand and guided her gently back to the ground.
At that moment, the Golden Theater began to change. The golden and crimson hues that once filled the air slowly faded, replaced by a pure, shining white.
In the blink of an eye, the radiant theater transformed into a sacred cathedral—pure and holy, as if prepared for a divine wedding.
And its meaning was obvious.
"Eli, you..."
"Ely, I've waited for this moment for so long."
From his chest, Elias drew forth a ring—the same one from the very beginning. Seeing it, Elysia gasped, her hand flying to her lips to stifle a cry. It was the one thing she had longed for most.
Under her gaze, filled with anticipation and love—
Elias took her left hand and knelt upon one knee.
"For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, in beauty or in decline, in triumph or in despair, in strength or in weakness—I will always love you. Ely... will you marry me?"
"I will! Eli, I will!"
Elysia answered without a hint of hesitation.
Pressing a hand against her pounding chest, she felt her life reach its most blissful peak.
Elias smiled gently as he slipped the ring onto her finger, then kissed her tenderly—before allowing her to take a small step back, putting some distance between them.
Looking at the ring now resting on her left hand, Elysia could hardly believe it was real.
She had finally received everything she'd ever wished for. Even the sorrow she once held was now filled with joy, sealed by that shining band.
She couldn't help but marvel—how blessed she was. From the moment she had descended into this world, she had met the one she loved most, and through him, she had learned the meaning of being human.
If her impending disappearance was the price for that miraculous encounter, then she would accept it gladly.
And so, there was something she needed to say.
"I'm sorry, Eli. I want to marry you. I truly, deeply want to marry you... but... I can't."
As those words left her lips, Elysia felt her heart twist painfully. She looked up at the white-haired boy with eyes full of sorrow, realizing she had betrayed the ideal of [Ego].
To lie like this at the end of her life—to let him place the ring upon her hand, only to speak such cruel words right after—Elysia, you really are a terrible liar.
But she had already steeled her resolve.
The happier Elias made her feel, the stronger her desire grew to ensure he would live on—to make sure the one she loved so deeply would have a future.
And if she could save Elias... then she might as well save the world too. That could be her atonement for this selfish love.
"Ely, that hurt more than taking a direct hit from the Herrscher of Finality herself."
"Did it? Then I must be quite the unworthy lover... to hurt the one I love most."
Elysia smiled bitterly as a radiant scepter appeared in her hand.
In that moment, she revealed her true form—the First Herrscher, the Herrscher of Origin, who was also the Herrscher of Human.
Now, at the very end, she laid everything bare—her identity, her power, her feelings. This was her final fulfillment of [Ego].
Elias stood silently, listening to her every word. Of course, he already knew. He knew everything.
But because of that, he wanted to hear it to the very last moment.
Unlike in all the previous cycles, this time Elias did not feel sorrow or regret.
His heart was filled only with joy—because this girl before him loved him so deeply, so completely.
Elysia: "~ I'm a little scared, actually. But not of disappearing. I'm scared that I'll never see you again, Eli. I'm scared I might fail. But..."
"Because I'm a Herrscher, I might be able to succeed. But because I'm also human—and a girl hopelessly in love—I will succeed!"
Tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably, yet her smile never faded. In her heart, she knew—if it was for this boy before her, she could do anything.
Because he was the reason she became who she was.
"Elias, please take my arrows, my flowers, and my love—woven together into the Seed of Rebirth. Carry it to the withered earth, and let it bloom into eternal, flawless humanity."
"I wish for your path ahead to be filled with stars, and your footprints to be blessed with blooming flowers. You are the world's gift to me—and my world shines because of you."
"So... don't grieve my departure. Because, as you once said, tragedy is not an ending—it's the beginning of hope. Let me... simply be a passing guest in your life."
Elysia gripped her scepter tightly.
She would remain behind in the past.
And in doing so, she would give Elias the future.
Even if she were to vanish completely, Elysia's power—her blessing—would forever remain by Elias' side.
(Ah... as I thought, I still can't bear to part with you. I wish... I could be with you forever.)
Elysia took out a marriage registration form—with only her own information filled in. She no longer intended to hand it to Elias.
After all, as someone about to fade away...
She could not become a shackle to the one destined to move toward the future.
Because now—the moment of the past had come.
"Goodbye, Elias... everyone... Elysia loves you all. From now on, I will become a star in the sky, forever lighting your path forward. So... don't miss me too much, alright?"
With those words, Elysia raised her scepter, activating the Authority of Origin.
Brilliant pink light gathered at its tip.
She was about to make her final wish—to ensure that a beautiful future would continue to bloom.
However—
Elias suddenly stepped forward, seizing Elysia's scepter with one hand and unleashing the Authority of Dominance.
"This is the moment I've been waiting for, Ely. I've lost you too many times already. So this time... I will never let you go again. Your future—will be mine to protect!"
The power belonging solely to the Herrscher of Origin began to flow toward Elias like sand slipping through an hourglass.
The Authority of Dominance was a contest of power—where the stronger will could claim everything from the weaker.
Elysia's Origin Authority was undeniably powerful—on par in nature with the Herrscher of Finality—but power was another matter entirely. Before the strength of a twelve-Core Herrscher and a False God, even Origin was fragile.
"E-Elias, what are you doing?!"
Elysia's face turned pale in shock.
She felt her power being stripped away uncontrollably—and even if she wanted to act, it was already too late.
Elias' strength was simply overwhelming.
In the blink of an eye, all of her Herrscher of Origin's Authority had been absorbed.
Without it, Elysia now stood as a mere human.
Elias hadn't left behind even a fragment of her power. The full force of Origin now resided within him—and as it did, his ceremonial attire transformed once more.
A radiant platinum halo appeared behind him, while five Origin Blades hovered at his sides like wings. As the thirteenth Authority merged into his being—
Elias' Herrscher attire became more magnificent than ever.
He looked upon Elysia with deep tenderness and spoke softly.
"Ely, you were willing to become human for me—then I am willing, for you... to fall and become a god."