Luminari swung his spear without stop as he mowed down one enemy after the other, tearing them piece by piece with his element.

However, the battle had dragged out for too long, and his stamina had degraded. Slowly, but surely, he was being overrun by the sheer amount of beasts flooding him.

The same can be said for the soldiers. Many of them had already fallen. Although they've managed to make it this far in the fight, their deaths have reached hundreds.

The beast's was like the rain in the sky, without end and unstoppable. Even they had limits, but these things did not.

As the allied soldiers of Servan gave it their all, they all knew and came to the conclusion that this is the end. Their bodies were tired. They were tired.

Luminari's light had dimmed as he dragged his blade around, tearing apart another wave of beasts. His breathing was haggard, and his body tattered in lacerations.

Looking at the sun blocked by the winged beasts, he couldn't help but wonder.

Will the sun rise for them again?

Slowly, he fell to his knees as the light surrounding his body began to flicker, slowly vanishing away like a small ember in a cold winter night.

But it was alright. He did his job to his utmost capabilities. He fought without surrender and now will die a warrior's death. This was more than he could ask for.

As the light enveloping his body finally was finally snuffed away, Luminari lowered his head as the beast's began to flock him.

The soldiers exchanged glances, their chests rapidly rising and falling, blood painting their bodies crimson.

"I'll see you on the other side," a soldier said.

Another soldier chuckled as he sat down with a sigh. "If it exists, yeah, sure, why not?"

Shifting their gazes at the approaching sea of monsters, they finally lowered their weapons. They've done enough.

As the beasts began to claw at them, they simply stood there, accepting their fate. In the end, they were simply humans. It seems misfortune runs in their veins.

But no more.

A violent wave of energy swept the battlefield like a shockwave, encompassing every inch and crevice of the desolate dessert. The sky, the ground, and the sanctuary—every corner of Servan.

The waves were like the hymn of death for all the beasts who heard it. Whatever it touched, it killed.

One by one, they toppled down like grains of dust under a storm. The life in their wretched eyes fading into darkness as their corpses fell like leaves in the dawn of autumn.

Luminari's eyes widened as he watched the abominations smashed down the ground, dead and never to walk this land again. Turning his gaze around, the same scene happened around him as the beasts desperately ran from the wave. But none will make it out alive.

"Is this what they witnessed in Tera?" Luminari muttered. "Hope?"

It seems Icarius was right. There was still hope for humanity to prevail.

Shifting his vision towards the dead zones, Luminari smiled. Again, it was that kid that helped them. At this point, no amount of money can ever pay their debt to him.

Even so, he never really asked for anything. He was simply that kind of man.

Lying down the blood-soaked earth, Luminari released a deep sigh as he smiled. He had never felt so... free and liberated.

Opening his eyes, the clouds above the sky have finally opened as the rays of sun crossed through the horizon, bathing the battlefield in their grace.

The soldiers rose up as they approached the dead beasts, poking and kicking their bodies. But there was no response.

"W-what is this...?"

"They s-succeeded!"

The soldiers exchanged glances before they erupted into thunderous cheers, hugging and kissing each other as they fell on the floor.

Some simply stood there, tears trailing down their cheeks at the realisation that it's over. The beasts they had fought for years were gone.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Some simply sat down, enjoying the sensation of having nothing threatening them from sun rise to night fall. Having the well-deserved rest they were owed.

The sound of their cheers echoed throughout the entirety of Servan, even reaching Luminari and Ishkar's ears.

Back in the deadzones, Ishkar shot a look in the direction of the sanctuary as a small smile formed in his lips.

"They're cheering for you," Ishkar said.

Samael remained silent as the Void matter slowly began to settle.

"Are you Samael?" Ishkar asked.

Within the receding darkness, Samael spoke. "Yes, I am."

"You sure?" Ishkar asked.

"Always," Samael replied as the last remaining Void matter vanished in thin air.

Surprisingly, Samael's body was not wounded. There were some minor wounds on the parts hit heavily by the Transcendent beasts, but compared to what they were earlier, they were basically healed.

But the real damage was not in the flesh but in the soul. Although he did not faint or go into a coma, Samael could feel a sharp pain within him, throbbing and aching. Luckily, the transformation was swift, so the impact was minimal.

"Are you okay?" Ishkar asked.

"Yes. Why ask that?" Samael asked.

"Because your expression says otherwise," Ishkar said.

Looking at the puddles of blood beneath him, Samael's eyes widened. He wore a face of wrath.

Calming himself, he exhaled. "I'm okay."

Ishkar stared at the boy for some time. "If you say so."

Samael still did not know why the Void was so wrathful to these creatures or what it's connection to the fell flower. But whatever it was, it was rooted deep.

Upon taking part in its burdens, he got an idea of the anger and disgust the abyss felt for these beasts.

The punishment series, they were built for these bastards. Tailored for them to counter all their abilities.

Just what kind of grudge would one need to create a series of abilities to annihilate an enemy?

The fragments of memories he got from the merger served nothing but pique his curiosity.

He could not make sense of what he saw. There was only a rift... One so large he has never seen anything like it before. But he could guess it is also a part of the reason for the Void's anger toward these beasts.

"Are you ready to return?" Ishkar asked.

Looking at the man, Samael nodded.

"Then let's go; they're waiting," Ishkar said.

As they approached the sanctuary, the people gathered in front of the gates gazed at Samael, their eyes filled with relief and admiration. Holding bright glints of hope for the future.

Making way for Samael, they watched as he made his way through. At that moment, they all believed one thing.

He was the symbol of hope.

The light to guide them.

A hero to save them from this endless war.

The birth of a...

Legend.

***

Without wasting time, reinforcements swiftly arrived at Servan. However, they were all met with the same thing.

Silence.

There was no more war. No more beasts to attack the walls. No more destruction and no more deaths.

Hearing from the soldiers, they all sent back what they gathered towards the other sanctuaries, spreading the words of heroism displayed here today.

When nightfall came, they all gathered in front of the sanctuary barrier, where the warm flames of the torches cast shadows upon the surface of the wall.

There were hundreds upon thousands of names carved upon the grey stone, each name equal to another. All holding the memory of those that passed in the line of duty, in belief that a better tomorrow will come.

They mourned in silence as they reminisced about the sacrifices the heroes in the wall gave. But now they had hope. They could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Standing before the crowd, Samael wore a melancholic expression. He knew the responsibilities tasked to him. He knew the weight they carried.

From the moment he awakened, he knew life was never going to be easy. Yet he was scared of making a mistake. These people viewed him as a symbol. Defeat was not an option.

Yet, when he merged with the Void, when he felt a fraction of the weight the abyss carried, he finally understood how small he was in the world beyond Ergo.

But he also understood that no responsibility was heavier than the next. He understood that it was okay to fear. For that is what makes him stronger.

No one gave a speech that day. No one mentioned anything. They simply stood in silence, honouring the dead.

When morning came, the entirety of Ergo came to an uproar. The attack on Servan was unprecedented. Many people were struck with fear at the idea that the first line of defence would crumble.

If the shield protecting them fell, what's stopping the abominations from taking the rest?

Yet, what followed next sent everyone on the edge.

The leaders of the High Table could not believe it themselves if it weren't for Ishkar vouching to what they saw.

Nova shot a look at his wife, his mouth wide open.

"Is it true?" She asked.

Nova remained silent as he sat down. "Yes, it is true."

Looking at the letter sent by Ishkar, a wide smile formed in Nova's mouth. "A man that can close rifts."

All around Ergo, the same reaction sent ripples throughout the sanctuaries as questions came rushing one after the other, all asking the same thing.

Is it true?

Without a choice, the High Table released a testimony. One that shook Ergo to the core.

"It is real. A phenomenon unheard before. A man capable of closing rifts has come."

The people erupted into uproar with some cheering in glee. This was it—the way to win, the way to finally end this war. But some were desperate as they begged the high table to call for this man.

So they did.

Although they knew the weight of this responsibility, who could blame them for wishing peace?

"Samael," Lilith muttered as she tightened her grip, crumpling the papers in her hand, her brows furrowed as she bit her lips.

He already carried so much. But now, another load of burden was given to him. She wishes she could help him, but right now she's still too weak.

"So you've seen it," Aphemis said as Lilith nodded.

"I'm guessing your break is over?" Aphemis asked.

"Yes," Lilith replied as she unsheathed her scythe.

Watching the sun set at the top of the wall of Servan, Samael shifted his gaze to the side where a figure sat beside him.

"The hope of humanity," Icarius said.

Samael remained silent.

"You keep surprising me. First you survived against threats no one your age or power should have, and now you tell me you can close rifts?" Icarius said. "Do you know what that means?"

Looking at the distance, Samael nodded. "I do."

Seeing his expression, Icarius smiled as he held the boy's shoulder. "Don't worry too much about it."

Rising up, the golden rays of the sun struck his face. "The burden may be heavy and the future bleak, but find solace in the fact that no journey is too great for you to shoulder alone."

Samael's eyes lowered as he glanced at his hands.

Yes, he was not alone anymore. He has trustworthy people helping him. People he can entrust his back to. People that will always be there. But most importantly, he has an ally that will always be with him.

The Void.

Although this burden may be his alone, he will face it with great resolve, knowing he is doing it to protect the ones behind him.

His family.