Watching the sun pierce through the darkened clouds, Samael felt the warmth finally caress his skin once more. At that moment, he thought.

We've won.

Like a domino effect, the moment the flower vanished in front of everyone, the abominations swarming them began to wither like plants uprooted from the earth. They died one after the other, plummeting down the earth without resistance. Ranks, size, or numbers were insignificant when the flower died.

Seeing this, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief as they realised it was over—the nightmare was over.

Unable to contain their joy, one began to shout at the top of his lungs, tears steaming down his eyes as he lived yet another day. But soon, one became two, and two became four, until the voices of those that prevailed roared in unity.

Looking at this scene and noticing Lilith pushing through the crowd, Samael sighed. His job here was done. Looking at the bright panels hovering before him, he knew he could rest now.

Devoured Void Essence of "Azerel" [Saint I] +50,000

Devoured Void Essence of "Fell Flower (Hatchling)" [Deity III] +300,000

Halting his battle with the unrelenting fatigue, Samael's body weakened as his vision was consumed by darkness. Yet again, the Void greets him as he falls into its embrace.

***

Lilith's face paled as Samael's figure fell down fast. Without another thought, she blasted forward as she caught the man in her arms.

Seeing Samael's injuries, Lilith's heart froze. "Help!" She screamed, luring everyone's attention as they realised the situation.

Without another minute wasted, multiple doctors and healers came to aid Samael as they laid him flat on the ground. They checked his vitals one by one, and each test they did only made his visage turn grave.

"Shit! His body is deteriorating fast!" A healer roared as the other medical experts began to infuse his body with their elements in an attempt to preserve his life.

"What is this thing?!" The healers asked. "It's rapidly decaying his flesh and organs!"

"I don't know! All our spells are not working!" Another one screamed.

Lilith couldn't help but cry in desperation as she watched Samael's body begin to slowly but surely crumble to ashes.

Just what can she do?

Aphemis slowly approached Lilith as she held the girl's shoulder, pulling her back as she sobbed violently.

Eventually, they stopped their efforts as Samael's heart had stopped beating.

Icarius gritted his teeth as his hand balled to a fist, his visage dark. Ajax, on the other hand, remained quiet, intently watching Samael.

Unable to take her emotions anymore, Lilith broke free of her grandmother's grasp as she rushed to the boy's side, holding him in her embrace.

"No, no, no, please!" she screamed in desperation as she held the boy's cheeks, trying to find even a single hint of life. Yet there was none.

Watching this scene go on, Ajax's hand slowly flinched as his brows furrowed. Was he really dead?

"Lilith, please," Aphemis begged, but the girl simply pushed her back.

"NO! HE'S NOT DEAD!" She screamed, a surge of Chaos energy drawing a line before them.

Aphemis bit her lip as she witnessed her granddaughter's state. However, her eyes soon widened as she muttered. "What's... that?"

Lilith shifted her gaze back at Samael when she noticed the Chaos matter had not dissipated but rather remained active as it slowly slithered through Samael's body.

The chaotic energy caressed his wounds, as though caring for them, as it began to calm the Void matter leaking out of his vessel. As if some synergy had begun, the two elements began to intertwine as everyone flinched.

He had a heartbeat once again.

Lilith's eyes widened as she felt a bit of warmth return to his body. Noticing this, the medics began to gather when Icarius spoke.

"Do not remove the girl; whatever she is doing, it's working," he said, halting the advance of the healers. "For now, escort the two to a safe space."

Upon his orders, the two were guarded and led by the knights to an intact building, where they set up the place. All the while, Lilith remained focused on Samael.

Whatever was happening, it was working, and that's all that mattered. And that is all that will ever matter.

Eventually, the sky would darken again as the night stretched across the sky, painting the world yet again in darkness. But throughout the night, not a single beast attacked Tera.

Aphemis would occasionally visit Lilith, giving her some food to eat that would often be left untouched. It seems as though she was in a trance, simply existing for Samael.

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Soon, days would pass by like the wind as the soldiers began to rebuild what had been shattered. Not only that, but reinforcements had begun to be dispatched towards the sanctuary, providing support, and the story of the brave heroes that day circulated throughout the world.

Unfortunately, Samael still showed no signs of waking up.

Within his world, Samael did not know what time or what date it was; he was simply drifting in the darkness of the Void.

He had no idea what was going on or the desire to push on. He was simply tired.

Soon, days began to turn to weeks, and all that time, Lilith remained by Samael's side, agreeing to only leave his side to do her basic needs.

Tera's reconstruction is also going well as the sanctuary tries to rebuild what it has lost. As for how much it can fix? No one truly knows.

But then, weeks turned into months, and the seasons began to shift as well. Yet Samael had remained unconscious throughout.

Drifting within his inner world, Samael was slowly falling for the temptations of sleep. But then again, why not sleep? It's right there, waiting.

Oh, how sweet its embrace would be.

As his eyes began to close, he felt something. Something familiar.

Slowly opening his eyes, Samael's attention shifted to an orange matter floating towards him. It was calm and ever-changing, like the darkness before him. Yet different.

As it approached him, it slowly touched his arm as a voice echoed in his ears.

"The seasons are changing again. Fall is soon to come, and the flowers are blooming beautifully. Here, I got some flowers for you. From what I've read, these are called Lilpians."

As the orange matter began to snake up his arm, more voices came to him.

"Tera has begun to rebuild. It's progress goes stronger each day and so are its people. Although they've suffered much, they're still smiling..."

Eventually, the orange matter had covered most of his body, slowly reaching his chest, where a single heartbeat echoed.

"You've missed so many things. Just when will you wake up? Please. Wake up."

As the chaos energy enveloped him whole, Samael's eyes opened as the bright lights of the lantern above him blinded him.

Shifting his attention to the side, Samael saw Lilith's hands on his, grasping tightly. Her eyes were closed, and it seemed she was sleeping.

Samael did not know where he was or what was happening, but he could feel the flow of energy coming from the girl.

Reaching out, Samael brushed away the lone tear trickling off her cheek. Noticing this, Lilith's eyes opened as tears welled in them.

Mustering a small smile, Samael spoke. "Why are you crying?"

"You're awake," Lilith muttered as her voice cracked.

Without another word, she jumped at the boy's chest as her loud cries echoed in the room.

Unsure of what to do, Samael put his hand on her head, allowing her to cry as much as she needed. Just what had happened in his sleep?

"I thought you were gone," Lilith said as her voice was drowned by tears.

"I'm here now," Samael said.

Altered by her cries, multiple staff and even Ajax came in the door, their eyes wide in surprise.

"W-what?" The nurse spoke.

Breaking out of his trance, Ajax spoke. "Go, alert them."

The nurse swiftly ran out as she alerted everyone to the occasion.

"Hey," Samael said.

"You've been sleeping tight for a while," Ajax said.

"How long?" Samael asked.

"Two months," Ajax said.

***

Upon his wake, Samael was finally informed of what had happened. Their victory, Lilith's refusal to leave his side, the recuperation of Tera, and the aftermath of the battle.

In the last two months of his slumber, Lilith's help greatly aided his recovery. Apparently, his chances of waking up were slim to none. With her help, his injuries recovered in the course of two months alone.

On the other hand, Tera had finished the reconstruction of its wall and had cleared up the mess of the battle that occurred. Not only that, but reinforcements have been flowing steadily, along with some resources.

But what truly piqued Samael's interest were the findings of the knights. All the monsters within the vicinity of Tera had died. Yes, dead.

Multiple corpses of creatures of all ranks can be found in their territories, dead and lifeless. With this, Tera was basically free of abominations. Whatever that flower was, its death caused the death of thousands of abominations.

Remembering the battle, Samael recalled the unfathomable rage he felt against that beast, as though it was something he had to get rid of no matter the price.

Looking at the panels before him, Samael couldn't help but feel a little happy at the results.

Not only did he gain thousands of essences from killing the flower and Azerel, but his tier had jumped up, earning him some new skills. Not only that, but apparently Crimson Raven devoured the blade of the Saint, earning it some new abilities of its own.

But there was one thing that worried him, though. The moment he woke up, a notification persistently bugged him.

Due to the host's restrictions being temporarily removed, he had undergone a near-death experience. However, with the help of the chaos witch, the host's body has improved and is now able to access an even larger amount of astral powers.

Multiple beings have noticed your existence! It is advised to avoid doing such a risky manoeuvre again!

Multiple beings have set their eyes in your direction!

Looking at the sleeping girl beside him, Samael caressed her head. Things were going to be much harder from here on out.

Meanwhile, in the deep expanse of space, a figure cloaked in gold and silver floated towards a rift of great magnitude. There it stood, waiting as a voice, unintelligible unless permitted by the speaker, spoke.

"Why have you summoned me...?"

Looking at the grotesque creature, Taranius spoke.

"I demand you increase the promised reward."

"And why should I?"

"Because the deal's changed."

The creature, with its many eyes, looked at God as it narrowed.

"How so?"

"Because in my world lies a creature that even someone of your stature will find irresistible."

"Do not waste my time and explain."

"Why so hasty? Answer my call first."

"KNOW YOUR PLACE!" The beast roared as the space began to distort.

Taranius backed away as he raised his hand for even he knows the price of angering such a creature.

"I have found a vagabond."

The creature's face morphed.

"A vagabond, you say...?"

"Yes."

"So what will it be?"

The creature remained silent for a while before it replied.

"You have yourself a deal."