Under the same night sky, far from Kael'Ar—
Astria breathed quietly.
The Eden Forest glowed with soft bioluminescent leaves, moonlight filtering through crystalline branches. Alzwalt and Britanya walked side by side, their footsteps slow, unhurried, as if the world itself had agreed not to interrupt them.
Britanya stopped.
She turned to him, blue eyes reflecting the stars, her breath visible in the cool air that never truly touched him.
"I'm in love with you, Alzwalt," she said plainly. "So just make sure you can keep up with my cold heart."
Alzwalt blinked once—then laughed softly.
He stepped closer, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pressed his forehead to hers.
"I don't see anything cold around here," he said gently. "It's just us."
Britanya's cheeks flushed faintly. She leaned into him, and this time she didn't hesitate. Alzwalt kissed her—not with force, not with arrogance—but with certainty.
That night, the Eden Forest bore silent witness as two powers who could shake worlds simply chose to be human together.
Arkion — Hoshigawa
Arata sat by the window, tea steaming calmly in his hand. The restaurant was quiet; the children had already gone to bed. Outside, the city lights shimmered like distant stars.
He smiled.
"Kaelen has been recognized as a hero," he said softly to no one—and everyone.
"Dual circuits. A true dragon's heart. The heart of Alyth, the primordial dragon."
He took a sip.
"That gives him two energy sources now—circuit authority and ancient dragon power."
Another smile.
"Well done, Kaelen."
His gaze drifted outward, far beyond the city.
"The Sky Islands learned humility through loss. John found love in Tessandra. Alzwalt found his in Britanya. Kaelven's double count has reached two million, and he stands with the Kurogami in Karveth."
He set the cup down.
"The foundation has been laid."
His eyes gleamed.
"It's time for the Era of Dungeons to truly begin."
Then—
He spoke again, casually.
"You've been watching me closely," Arata said, voice calm. "And yet… you couldn't find anything, could you?"
The air folded.
"I'll let you bathe in my presence."
Reality peeled away.
Beyond space.
Beyond dimensions.
Beyond definition.
Arata stepped into a realm that did not exist on any map—a void layered with laws so absolute they bent around a single throne.
Upon it sat a woman.
Her form was elegant, distant, wrapped in voidlight and abstraction itself. Her eyes glowed with a pale, impossible hue.
Arata looked at her.
"You've been watching my planet," he said. "For what reason?"
The woman lifted her chin.
"The star known as Kael'Ar has piqued my interest," she replied coldly. "You are not worthy to know my name."
Arata smiled.
"Oh? Is that so?"
He tilted his head.
"You call yourself Queen Nullis. A conceptual deity."
Her expression shattered.
"…How do you know that?"
Arata stepped closer.
"Aren't you a god?" he asked calmly. "Use your eyes. See who you're standing before."
Her pupils flared.
The All-Seeing Null Eyes activated.
She probed him.
For one heartbeat—
She saw everything.
The beginning.
The end.
Creation collapsing into nothingness and rising again.
No—worse.
He was not the cycle.
He was what existed before the concept of cycles.
Her eyes began to bleed.
She screamed silently as reality refused to interpret what she was seeing.
Then she fell from her throne.
Kneeling.
Trembling.
Head pressed to the void-floor.
"O—Great One…" she whispered.
Arata turned away.
"From today onward," he said casually, "you're mine."
He paused.
"Any complaints?"
Her voice shook.
"N—No… none at all."
Arata walked past her, already leaving.
The throne room collapsed into silence.
And somewhere far away—
The board was finally set.