It didn’t take long for the Kommáti to notice me and, after giving me a warm greeting, they teleported me to a building similar to the old war room and its here that I was greeted by Serylea, Shiru, Erna, Farin, Fíor, Thneia, Rix, Llana, Anda and Calëb.

They all stood around the circular table and they gave me looks that varied from relief to what appeared to be heartbroken.

I opened my mouth to speak but no words left my mouth.

I didn’t know what to say to those I had abandoned in my vengeful pursuit.

Voliah, Yna’s personal Kommáti, then appearing before me. She wasn’t wearing a helmet and this allowed me to see her weary face.

She offered me her hand and I accepted it before suddenly being taken to a different place.

A dark and much smaller place.

Sitting in front of me were two life magicians and they tended to… Yna.

She rested in the centre of the egg atop of dark bed. Covering her much smaller body was a pure white silk gown and her long golden hair was tied by a net of silver thread.

The two magicians left with Voliah, leaving just me and Yna.

I got a little closer to her and gently placed my hand above hers.

“Y…” I struggled to say as tears welled up in my eyes.

Any semblances of composer were lost as I hunched forward and cried.

I cried loudly and painfully while trying not to squeeze her hand.

I wanted to call for her but I knew that she wasn’t there.

I wanted her to come back bit I knew that wasn’t possible and so I just cried, even after my tears ran dry.

.

..

I rested my head on the wheelchair’s armrest as I sat.

Some time had passed and I noticed that a certain group of people had gathered just outside the egg.

I looked at Yna’s face once more before giving her a kiss on the forehead.

“Voliah.” I wheezed and she took me outside into a certain crater only it was covered in flowers of all kinds.

Standing before me were my people.

I took a deep breath before weakly smiling.

“Thank you all… for sticking around.” I said while trying to push myself forward but the uneven terrain wasn’t making it easy.

Voliah saw me struggle and so she pushed me forward with the assistance of space magic.

“I cannot imagine how much each of you has gone through since my departure but seeing you here means that you persevered. Did C-Caligo attack after?” I asked.

“No.” Shiru said while everyone shook their heads.

“Good. Have any of you been informed about the situation pertaining us hosts?” I asked and after receiving a series of no’s, I explained what Sagathon told me.

Unfortunately, at this point none of us could frown any further and so we stood in silence.

“How much time do we have?” Thneia asked.

“Sagathon said it could happen at any moment.”

Everyone let out acknowledging hums.

“Anyway, if the end really is near, I would like us all to spend our last moments peacefully. Do not tell anyone what I told you. Let them spend their time as they would and as for us, let us cherish each remaining moment.”

Everyone nodded.

“Good. Now, as you were. I will visit as many of you as I can.”

Everyone reluctantly left the crater.

Well, everyone but Shiru and Erna.

Voliah took me to them and, after giving me a warm smile, Shiru led me south, towards what was once the southern wall all while holding Erna’s hand.

Speaking of Erna, she kept giving me strange glances as she walked.

We eventually arrived at the top of the wall and it’s here that I beheld Coh.

I raised an eyebrow after seeing that it had developed quite rapidly.

Its perimeter extended far into the Expanse and countless people could be seen walking its streets.

I looked up to see, standing mid air beneath the evening sky, countless Kommáti.

Shiru led me down a ramp that led into what was once Southern Coh and any people we came across allowed us easy passage while giving me curt bows.

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I waved at the in return and it wasn’t long until we exited this area and entered the next.

A vast residential area but something caught my attention.

A gigantic dark building that stood in the centre of the area.

I decided to ignore it as Shiru took me to one of the many dark houses.

She opened the door and gestured that I enter.

I did but it seems as though Voliah was needed elsewhere and so, she gave me a pat on the shoulder before disappearing.

I made my way into the cosy home’s living room while Shiru closed the door.

Erna sat on one of the two couches and Shiru walked up to me.

She stood above me with eyes half closed.

She then spread her arms prompting me to lean forward and place my head on her belly.

Shiru then wrapped her arms around my head and we both simultaneously sighed.

“Hello, Shiru.” I said. My voice muffled.

“Hello… Katsíki.”

A moment passed as we held each other.

“I could’ve sword I heard someone say you were in charge.” I weakly chuckled

“Well, it was Deag and I but… we lost him during the last collision.”

“Oh.” I weakly sounded.

Another moment passed.

Shiru eventually let go of me before looking me over.

Her face twisted a little but I raised my left hand dismissively.

“Don’t worry. I got hurt while trying to get back home.”

This didn’t really help and it seemed as though Shiru was now more worried but she sighed before sitting on the couch closest to me.

“Raer, could you get us some food please.” She said.

I recognized the name Raer but I couldn’t remember who it belonged to exactly.

Shiru turned to Erna who fiddled with her feet.

“Hey, Erna.” I greeted but all I got was a shy wave.

“Hehe, what’s this? Have you gotten soft on me? What happened to your fire?” I asked with crossed arms and a raised nose.

“I-I still have it! I just… don’t know what to say. You were gone for so long.” Erna said with a lowered head.

“Mmm… come here.”

Erna hopped onto her feet and walked over to me.

I asked for her hand and she gave it to me.

“Do you still want to be a great warrior?”

“Yes.” Erna muttered.

“Well, warriors are stoic. They do not let their feelings hinder their forward march. I will not always be here and you will have to find the strength to-“

“Wait- what do you mean?” She asked with a pained expression.

“I mean that I am but a small part of life. If you ever feel down, or sad that I’m not there just remember what drives you and keep moving forward.”

“Why are you talking like you’re going to go away again?” Erna asked with teary eyes.

“I’m saying this just in case-“

“No! That doesn’t sound like something you’d say! Katsíki would have fought until the end, even he knew he was going to lose!” Erna cried before suddenly rushing into the bedroom.

Shiru and I sighed simultaneously.

A Kommáti then suddenly appeared in front of me with two bowls in hand.

“Hello, sir.” She greeted.

“Oh- Hello.” I said while looking into the Kommáti’s dark but strangely welcoming eyes.

She handed me a bowl full of Nyxa stew and I greedily took in the aroma.

Although I noticed the smell of fish and so I glanced at Shiru’s bowl.

“Due to a surplus in fish from Cohadiya, everyone usually incorporates fish into their meals in one way or another.” She explained after sensing my curiosity.

I nodded before joining her in eating the thick, savoury stew.

We eventually finished and, after handing over our bowls to Raer, sat in silence while thinking about countless things.

“Will you be staying the night?” Shiru asked.

“I don’t see why not. That couch looks-“

“Not on the couch.” Shiru firmly said.

I looked into her eyes and saw that there was no point in arguing and so I followed her to the bedroom which smelled like stew, meaning Erna had eaten.

Unfortunately, she laid on the bed with her back turned to me.

Shiru walked over to the drawer where she began undressing and I moved over to Erna.

“Hey.” I whimpered but received no answer.

“Erna… could you please look at me.”

A moment and just as it did, she turned around, revealing her tear smeared face.

“I can’t always win. This has been the case ever since I came Edenton.”

Erna’s eyes fell as I spoke.

“But, whether I’m in the war room or some distant place, I’ll always be closest to you.”

Erna frowned in confusion.

“I’ll always be here.” I said while placing my hand above my heart.

Erna’s eyes quaked violently before filling up with tears again.

I tossed aside the blanket that hid my legs and crawled onto bed before wrapping my arms around her, allowing her to cry as loud as she wanted.

Shiru eventually joined us and it wasn’t long until Erna cried herself to sleep, leaving Shiru and I in silence.

“Goodnight, my dears.” I yawned before closing my eyes.

“Goodnight.”

.

..

I awoke to find Kenos staring at the dark being in the throne room.

A being that Sagathon called a Noladmet.

It sat next to Kenos’s throne without motion.

“I suppose it makes sense.”

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing that is given is without cost. If we were correct in assuming that they gave us magic then maybe the cost of magic was our very cosmos.”

“Mmm…” I sounded.

“Oh, well. What are your thoughts on everything?” I asked after plopping down onto the ground. I was in my bigger, Katsíki, Kenos, fusion form.

“Mmm… I’m fine with everything so long as Caligo dies as well.”

“Hehe. Me too. Anyway, try talking to it, maybe it will give something away.” I said while laying down on my back.

“I’ll try. But what will you do?”

“I’ll spend some time with my people.”

“OUR people.” Kenos scoffed.

“Hehe, sure.”

.

..

The next day arrived with Erna forcing herself out of my embrace, waking Shiru and I in the process.

She then crawled out of bed and left the room leaving Shiru and I to ourselves.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning.” She yawned while sitting up.

“I’m assuming you have a list of scheduled things to do, what with you being the boss now.” I said.

“I do but… you are the true leader of the Expanse. I merely served as regent while you were away.”

“Mmm… that may be true but I’ve been gone for some time and things have definitely changed so I’ll need you to help me out until I have everything figured everything out. Also, there’s also the other thing to worry about.” I said while sitting up.

Shiru nodded before joining me in getting of the bed.

She then led me into the bathroom where we washed up, got changed and joined an upset Erna in the living room.

Raer had given me a change of clothes, a black shirt and jacket, that had the crest of Coh on them.

I joined Shiru and Erna for breakfast before saying goodbye to Erna and following Shiru out of the house.

I told her that I was curious about the gigantic building and so she took me towards it.

Apparently, it was a temple which housed people who followed the faith of the Black Flame.

I inspected the grand temple and winced upon seeing a few humans in the crowd.

They didn’t seem to at odds with everyone else and so I ignored them while Shiru explained the temple’s role.

We eventually resumed our journey to the war room, passing through countless homes and various other buildings that were bustling with life.

The sounds of discussion, joy, sadness and even anger delighted my ears all the way up to the war room.

A grand building at the foot of which were a few humans who were kneeling.

Shiru explained that they were dragon worshipers and I nodded in understanding as we entered the building proper.

It seemed as though everyone was busy but one person seemed to be waiting for us.

Her gaze locked onto mine and she slowly approached with trembling eyes.

“I… we thought it would be enough.” Serylea said but I shook my head.

“No, it served its purpose. Just like I said.” I said while offering my hand.

She accepted it became pulling me into a hug.

“D-did you… kill him?”