It all happened in an instant.

First was Legris’ complete helplessness.

Second was Zephyr’s raised blade, capable of finishing things.

Finally… there was meant to be victory.

It all culminated into the perfect end of the vile entity that deserved a fate worse than mere death.

However… something went wrong.

~VWUUUUUUMMMMMM!!!~

Almost like someone spread a thick veil of darkness to cover all of reality, the entire area was transformed into a realm of black.

Nothing could be seen, and no trace of light existed… except for the brilliant radiation that Zephyr emitted.

But even that wasn’t enough.

Not in this infinite realm of sheer darkness and nothingness.

However, from this realm of sheer emptiness, they began to emerge—voices locked in the void.

“That was a close one.”

“You really had me on the ropes back then.”

“Who could have expected that outcome?”

“Looks like I underestimated you, Mr. Hero.”

“Did seeing your family die hurt you that much?”

“That was always the plan, but to think you’d go so far…”

Zephyr’s blade began to flicker in the darkness, and the golden light he emitted gradually dimmed.

‘W-what is this? What is going on?!’

He could not comprehend anything.

What way was left? 𝑜𝑽𝗅xt.𝓬𝑂𝓂

What way was right?

Why was he here?

Where was here?

Who was here?

Where was he?

Who was he?

Multiple questions gathered in his mind, creating an endless layer of confusion that kept building up until he could not move any longer.

The golden lights around him flickered even more, and they were barely visible at this point.

His blade slowly faded away into obscurity, and his eyes slowly lost their light. Every ounce of power he had displayed just earlier were drained before his very eyes until nothing was left.

Nothing but a fragment that shone within him.

It was the final source of illumination in this sea of darkness. If it was extinguished… everything would be over.

At this moment, in his deepest despair, Zephyr could do nothing but return to his memories.

He thought about his family and friends.

He remembered everything that led up to this moment; how much he had enjoyed his life with everyone.

The second chance he never deserved… he had lived it.

What more could a man want?

“Of all the Sagittarius Hosts, you were the most skilled, I’ll give you that. You weren’t even allowed to use your power to the fullest because of your broken mind.” A single voice echoed in the expanse.

Zephyr couldn’t have known this, but a certain silhouette currently stood in front of him.

The man in the silhouette was smiling, his form completely hidden by the thick darkness all around. His hands were stretched out, though… reaching for the only source of brilliance in the void.

“In the end, you’ll become like the others that have been consumed here…”

Zephyr was so lost in his memories that he didn’t realize it when the light fragment was taken from him.

The moment that happened, his precious memories began to crumble.

Everything: his entire life.

He forgot his name, his purpose, his friends… his family.

It was like he never even existed.

“… A part of me.”

*******

Legris Damien returned to reality with a bright golden fragment in his grasp.

His body appeared brand new, with no shadow of an injury in sight. His entire attire seemed brand new, and his pale skin seemed as healthy as it could be.

Nothing about him told of the battle that had just taken place, and just how far he was pushed by the now-deceased, nonexistent Hero.

If not for the completely ruined landscape, one would never be able to guess that a fight had occurred here.

Everything in the small town of Ephron, and even its outskirts, had been razed to the ground—no, even beyond that.

A gaping hole had completely devoured the town, leaving nothing left of it.

Even then…

“None of the residents were harmed in our skirmish. It looks like he still protected everyone while fighting me…” Legris smiled, noticing the residents stuck in a massive dome of light away from the town.

There seemed to be some form of castle-like projection surrounding them too; as expected of the power of the Sagittarius Constellation.

“Looks like he was a Hero until the very end.”

Still, it was only a matter of time—some minutes at best—and none of them would even remember the name of their dear Hero.

‘And then causality will begin to have an effect. I guess it’s not taken full control yet because I’m here, and all that Constellation energy is interfering…’

~Legris, we’ve spotted the next target. Stefan has begun to engage.~

The voice of his partner suddenly echoed in Legris’ mind, causing him to take his focus away from the denizens for a moment.

At the moment, Ciel and Stefan had split up from him in order to cover more ground. He was to handle this place by himself, while they would took care of another Host who also happened to be in this Branch.

While this method was risky, it was the most time-efficient way to gather enough Constellation Energy due to their hurry.

Well, it was mostly Ciel’s impatience that caused this.

“Ah, I see. You know what to do next, right?” Legris responded calmly, a small smile forming on his face.

~We’re going to capture her for you, so when you’re done… you know where to find us.~

“Noted. I’ll soon be there. I just have to take care of some business first.”

Once he finished communicating with Ciel, his focus returned to the helpless denizens of the devastated town.

“I might as well just put this world out of its misery too. Sooner or later, it’ll happen anyway.”

His cold eyes stared at them from where he floated, and he stretched out his hand, deciding on the appropriate Spell to use on the crumbling castle and the hopeless ones before him.

The moment he decided on the perfect one, however, the most unexpected thing happened.

~WHUUUUUM!!!~

A sudden warp in space caused the expanse behind him to shatter, and someone swiftly lunged from within the rift.

This young man had blond yellow hair, and his appearance instantly caused Legris’ eyes to widen in shock.

There was no way he could forget such a face.

It was—

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A

/N

Thanks for reading!

I wonder who finally showed up…

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