A scream cut through the haze of death and Gi's consciousness snapped into focus. The mountain felt as if he viewed it through deep water and the battle around him moved in slow motion.

First, his eyes fell on Wax beside him. One half of the Twins lay cooked and shriveled with a stillness that could only be had by the dead. To his other side, Wane's body had arced backward forming an impossible bridge of twitching tight muscles like a spider curling up as it died.

It was his scream that had brought him back. Even now, it rattled his Soul with all the strength of the quakes that had sent Igna hurtling towards the heavens and all the tenderness of someone trying to shake a dead loved one awake.

It reminded him of his last moments as Richard. Not the car racing toward the crash like he'd been forced to relive by the Illusor Clan, but that strange indistinct moment where he'd floated above his own body. Danna had lain over him, looking far weaker than he'd ever seen her - both physically and mentally.

Gi's mind was oddly clear as he compared Wane and Danna's pain. Both seemed to meld together and join the watery nature of his current vision, coloring it all around him.

"Foolish," Gi managed to mumble, but it felt like he spoke through a mouth full of cotton. "I was... already dead..."

There was no answer from the screaming Wane. Gi's eyes shifted and the rest of the battlefield lay bare to him. A cascade of blood fell from Kumo's face as she tried desperately to make any headway against the Fighting Drake assaulting her. Even in the scant seconds Gi watched her, it was all she could do to keep her accumulating wounds as barely less than lethal. Each dodge turned into a graze, somehow defying the very nature of the Underbridge Clan's Core.

Tiria struggled likewise. Tears poured down her face unfettered as she dumped her entire Soul into her Waterborn Armory. Every time Wane's scream peaked, her sobs matched and she pushed her Soul to breaking as she tried to force back the Fighting Drake in front of her. Burning her own essence only allowed her to maintain a stalemate that would never lead to victory.

Gi's eyes rose to the Fighting Drakes in the sky and he realized that they were purposely limiting their numbers to single combat and not escalating their powers unless their opponent did. His time with them in the Child Stage had left the impression that they were both honorable and ritualistic and that same attitude was present here.

That attitude wouldn't change anything though. His Elites were exhausted and outclassed. The only question was whether they or Gi would die first.

Again, his mind felt oddly clear as he examined the finality of himself and his Elites. Any emotion seemed blocked behind the veil of death that hovered just beyond Gi's consciousness, beckoning him to its embrace. Would he reincarnate again? Would he die the final death?

Gi's eyes rolled again and they fell on Galvina. The demon princess was a terror, fighting against an entire Squad of Fighting Drakes in a battle that seemed more akin to chess than true combat. Every barest hint of movement screamed of attacks against the grievously wounded Queen or Galvina's own escape.

The demon princess used those two undesirable outcomes for the Fighting Drakes to launch devastating attacks with her rapier or to get herself enough room to prevent them from pinning her in. Fire, sword, and claws danced in a movement that was almost beautiful in the slow view that Gi had.

Despite Galvina's skill, she also didn't have any hope of escaping. Her injuries from the fight against the Angelic Mice and the Faithful couldn't be completely ignored even with the Demon Larvae Secretion Tonic. As masterful as she was, Gi was confident that she would fall to the Fighting Drakes as well. There were too many of them and the Tonic couldn't last forever.

The tiniest spark of anger forced its way through his haze, but it was quickly washed away. Galvina had forced them to stay instead of flee, but it was Gi's choices that had allowed her to do so.

Just like when he was Richard, he'd made mistakes that had led to his own death. As selfish as it was, Gi found some solace in the fact that he would die around people that loved him this time rather than running away alone. His Elite's fate was a tragedy, but all of them had committed to a life of violence as a monster. Every single one of them had chosen to-

Tiny insect legs landed on Gi's chest. Gi's eyes rolled upward to see Poe's head swiveling around in a panic as Fighting Drakes fought both Kumo and Tiria not even feet away from him. Poe's panic only heightened as he looked down at Gi and their two eyes met.

"No..." Gi mumbled out. Poe said something back, but Gi couldn't hear him. "You... shouldn't be here. You can't-"

"-get you out of here!" Poe's shout cut through the veil and even on the verge of death, he could tell that his friend was trying to inject as much cheer as he could in such a dire situation. Even has his tiny limbs shook against his chest, he tried to bring Gi comfort and safety.

Gi's turbulent Soul picked up Poe's Aether as he started to churn it and he knew that he was activating his Domain [We Might Be Giants]. His intention to fly Gi away was bluntly clear even if Gi couldn't hear any more of Poe's soothing words.

"No..." Gi said again and his voice must have reached him this time as Poe paused to listen. "No." Gi said, forcing his voice to obey him despite the lacking strength in his body.

"No."

Gi grabbed the veil of death with his mind and forced back its numbing grip. With his mind no longer separated, sudden pain shot through his body and Wane's scream cut deep into his very being. With every ounce of strength that remained in his body, he brought a bleeding and broken hand to Poe's middle and laid it as gently as he could on him.

"No," Gi said again. "You won't die here."

A spark lit inside Gi's Soul, and as though a portal had opened into the very heavens, Aether poured into him. Like a tidal wave, it crashed through his pathways and sheer power sloshed inside him, filling him up. As that power grew and grew, Gi's consciousness sharpened and his limbs filled with strength in a way that should have been impossible with mere Aether.

You've realized an aspect of your fate!

Your Divine Seed and Heart of Crossroads have connected through your Will of Subverted Fate.

Combined Aspect: Light of the Heavens

Separate from the Aether flooding into him, he could feel his Skills and their pathways changing inside of him, but this time, he didn't take a back seat to his own progression. He flexed his realized Will and forced the change into the two Skills that might help him the most.

[Divine Ire] has evolved to [Divine Commandment].

[King's Guard] has evolved to [God's Passage].

Wide eyed, Poe stared down at him as Gi had seemingly returned from the dead. To him, it was a miracle, but Gi knew the truth. He slowly climbed to his feet and took in the chaos of the battle with fresh eyes. If things continued, his family would die.

Despite the overwhelming surge of Aether that kept his body moving, Gi knew he was still dying. His now realized Will could keep him moving beyond mortal means, but there was only so much it could do.

Meaning there was only so much that Gi had time to do.

Child Gi wouldn't have hesitated. He'd have struck down as many Fighting Drakes as he could to allow his family tie to escape. That's what Danna would have wanted.

Gi directly after the attack on the Illusor Clan would have felt differently. He'd have killed the Queen out of spite for her brood killing one of his. That's what his Blood screamed at him to do even now.

But that small piece of his Soul that had been scraping away at his subconscious was louder now after having realized his Will and standing on the precipice of death.

He remembered Hillin and Krayli - a father who refused to die without taking care of his adopted daughter first; He thought of Jalx and his earnest desire to restore his clan; and he thought of Fader who after he'd lost everything gave his entire self over to the Prince.

In turn, he considered his own clan. Samba sacrificing everything he had to keep the others safe; Tiria working tirelessly day after day with little help. Kumo always being the first one into battle and the last one to leave; and both Wax and Wane whose knowledge had brought them success in all their endeavors and who had ultimately paid the highest price.

Most of all, he thought of Poe. The dragonfly had grown so much since he'd met him as a slime, and yet, he hadn't changed at all. He was strong, courageous, and loving. No matter what Gi has been going through emotionally or physically his friend had always been there. Right at his side.

And then... it clicked. "I've been so stupid...," Gi muttered under his breath, but finally with the curtains closing on his second life, he saw the path forward and knew what he had to do. He could do better.

He could be better.

He turned to Poe. "You're the heart of our clan. Don't let them lose themselves when I'm gone."

"Gone? What-" Poe's unshakeable awe seemed to crack at Gi's words, but he couldn't afford the time to comfort his friend. Even now, Gi could feel that tide of Aether slowly starting to recede. He gently moved his friend to the side and the dragonfly hovered in the air.

"Stop." Gi's command was accompanied by four simultaneous bars of light that looked more akin to the Twins' [Piercing Light] than his previous [Divine Ire]. Two of the bars of light raced towards Tiria and Kumo's foes at a speed that made Galvina seem slow. Each of the bars held a weight of antiquity to it that lent a heaviness to their existence as if they were somehow more true than all the things around them.

The Fighting Drakes prowess couldn't be exaggerated. Despite the increased speed, both of the Drakes managed to break off from the fight and roll backwards away from the incoming attacks, but Gi's [Divine Commandment] would not be denied.

With his Will, the bars of light each cut a tight right angle and burned a tree trunk sized hole through their chests. Both Kumo and Tiria stared at him, barely registering the fact that they'd been saved. The enemies that had pushed them well past their limits and had been slowly dismantling their defense had been dropped by Gi so easily. Gi who, to them, had been on the verge of death moments before.

He had so much to say to them about everything he'd finally realized about himself and the Clan, but he couldn't afford the time. It pained him, but there was someone that he needed to speak to more.

Even as Tiria called out to him, Gi activated [God's Passage] and turned to a ray of light that materialized beside Galvina. The demon princess paused in her increasingly desperate battle, and at the sight of him, a devious grin spread across her face.

"Fight." She demanded and Gi felt her Skill press in on him as it had before. To Gi, their deal hadn't been made in good faith. He hadn't understood the terms of the deal as he made it. Meaning that for him, it held little purchase now. Gi's Will of Subverted Fate held the truth that their deal had been a sham and her words broke against him.

"No." Gi's own words slapped back against her, but while it surprised her, it clearly wasn't something entirely unexpected. The Fighting Drakes had paused their assault against Galvina as their shouts brought another Squad over to engage both of them, giving what Gi hoped was enough time.

"Why are you here then?" Galvina asked, still eyeing their increasing number of foes.

"Keep my Clan safe."

The demon princess snorted. "I wouldn't if I could. This isn't a charity."

"I'm aware of your costs. You protect them and I'll make a path for all of you."

"So make the path and we all escape."

"They won't make it without your help."

The two of them stared each other down as the pressure mounted. For Galvina, it was from the approaching Fighting Drakes, and for Gi, it was the trickling disappearance of his surging power. Galvina broke first.

"Fine. You find me a way out of this and I'll keep them safe."

"With your Skill," Gi growled, and after a brief reluctance on her part, Gi felt the Skill settle over him. "It's agreed."

"Now do-," Galvina started, but Gi was already moving. He didn't have time for her any longer.

Six otters appeared in front of the growing number of Fighting Drakes who were determined to keep their honorable form of combat. Each of the golden otters dripped liquid light as they hovered in the air and that sense of antiquity hovered around each of them. Both aspects of his realized Blood and Will made them seem more real than any of the other monsterse on the mountain other than Galvina or the Queen herself.

Divine light sparked all around the battlefield as each of Gi's summons started to fight independently in a way that was far superior than they ever had before. Bars of light from [Divine Commandment] fired out even as some of them teleported to close the distance and engage directly using (Five Hands Firefly).

They fought because his Will demanded it.

Galvina didn't hesitate. As soon as she saw Gi's summons engage the Fighting Drakes, she darted away from them and headed towards the remnants of Gi's clan. Gi for his part activated the newest aspect of [God's Passage].

Before, it had only been a short form teleport with an extra summon at one end. Now, its nature had changed again. Gi's entire body sped up as he shot forward, waves of liquid light trailed off of him with that same antiquity of his realized Will. The space between Gi and the Queen had shrunk as though space had folded in on itself, giving him the quickest path to her.

Fighting Drakes roared in anger as he darted past them, but the distance for them was almost quadruple his own. Some of them continued engaging his summons while others spun around and charged towards him. It didn't matter. Neither of them would be alive by the time they made it.

The Queen towered over Gi. Even as injured as she was ,her form looked regal and she had a weight to her that Gi knew to be a Realized Will like his own. He wondered if she had a full Knot, but that idle thought quickly fled as Gi focused on his task at hand.

He shot forward, but even wounded, she managed to pull herself up and send a massive claw crashing towards him. It took one of his charges of [God's Passage] to teleport backwards out of the way. Gi had the power to kill her, but he had to get in a solid hit. Anything less wouldn't work.

"Is today the day that I join my silent god?," the Queen's voice rumbled over the battlefield and Gi wasn't even sure that it was for him. He sped over an attack from her hand and touched down on her forearm to race closer to her face. "Will he remain silent even when I look directly into his eyes?"

Another claw came crashing towards Gi and he was forced to use [God's Passage] to shrink the distance, finding himself face-to-face with the Queen's snout. A labored breath bristled Gi's fur as her cat-like eyes watched him.

"Will he continue to try and abandon me then?"

Gi didn't understand her strange soliloquy, speaking as though she could see the future of her own fate. Her attacks were real and only her injuries from the fight with the Myshkin Progenitor had made them slow enough for Gi to truly dodge.

His own recent realizations and her strange divine melancholy tugged at him and made him want to speak to her and understand her more. What drove her to rise to rule? What did Noctua Dominus offer to one such as her? Those questions were little more than fleeting regrets.

He'd run out of time.

Aether boiled over in the Queen's throat and Gi matched that rise of power in his own body as he prepped to activate [Divine Commandment]. That tidal wave of power inside of him practically frothed and it was even an effort for Gi's realized Will to keep it spread throughout his body as it continued to build.

The Queen's mouth opened, revealing a vast cavern of shadow and teeth with only a spark of flame at the back of her throat that was like its own little sun trapped in the darkness.

This was the best opportunity that he could get.

Gi flew into her open maw even as her Aether roared to a torrent of fire that raged against his body. Searing agony wrapped him all over and Gi screamed out, but it didn't stop him. It was only flesh and he'd have no need of it soon.

Before her fires could completely kill him, his own Aether finally peaked. The fires seemed to still and everything around turned to silence as Gi forced the entire weight of his own existence into his attack. His success wasn't just assured. It was truth. He'd made it true.

Light shone from all over Gi's body as a thousand bars of light from his far overcharged [Divine Commandment] erupted from him. For a brief moment, Gi became another sun in the sky that outshone the brilliance of the original.

The war stopped.

Ancient power cut across the horizon as Gi's attack finally ended. Sound came rushing back as the Queen toppled sideways against the mountain, her head a bloody ruin. Gi's own body had been destroyed from the flame and light that had collided, leaving only a being in the vaguest shape of an otter.

The renewed Aether and Gi's life both fled him at the same time, but not before a notification appeared, letting Gi know that his final act had been successful.