The broken halls of the palace echoed with the whispers of history—shattered glass, cracked marble, and the faded memories of power that once stood proud. Now, it was filled with silence. The Vrasnai gathered in two neat, respectful rows, their expressions unreadable, eyes heavy with expectation.
Kazimir stepped in slowly, unsure, his heart pounding louder than his footsteps. He had seen battles. He had faced monsters, gods, even the abyss of Nullity itself. But this? This moment felt heavier than all of it.
Behind him, tension still burned.
Mia turned to Tyrone, her disgust palpable. "I bet you're real proud, huh?" she spat. "Another ego boost for the horny little parasite you are. That's all men like you chase—lust, not love."
Tyrone narrowed his eyes, side-eyeing her with venom. "What's your deal with me? Isn't your boyfriend the same? Oh wait—that's right. He abandoned you for years. Probably didn't even like you. Who could?"
Mia flared, eyes wide with fury. "You moron! He didn't leave by choice! Don't act all smug just because you got one little kiss—"
"Enough!" Jessie snapped, cutting between them like a sword. "Save the drama. Look."
Everyone turned. Outside the shattered windows, a sea of Vrasnai were forming a path to the palace—like a silent army awaiting coronation.
Vanessa stepped forward, voice low but strong. "Diablo is dead. The truth is out. They're not here for war… they're here for you, Kazimir. You're Karah's heir. The throne is waiting."
Kazimir's breath caught.
"I… don't know if I can."
Vanessa placed a gentle hand on his back. "Don't stop now. Walk to her throne. And see it—the sword. Karah's sword. None of us could draw it. It rejected us all. But you…"
She nudged him forward.
Kazimir's steps echoed through the ruined hall. Each step felt heavier than the last. Eyes—hundreds of them—watched his every move. Judging. Hoping. Mourning.
And then he saw it.
Karah's sword stood upright before the throne, wrapped in ethereal chains that pulsed like veins of lightning. It shimmered, untouched since the day she fell.
He paused. His hand trembled.
Why me?
He shut his eyes.
And his body began to change.
Cracks of glowing blue etched across his pale skin. Dark shadows crept up his hair, bleeding into a rich, electric blue. His eyes opened, and the color of the deep sea stared back—vast, ancient, and aching.
His voice broke the silence.
"I know I've failed you all… or at least, that's what you believe. I know I scared you. You saw a catastrophe and you saw me. But that wasn't the truth.
"I tried to save them. All of them. Even as they turned, even as they screamed. I tried. But I was too late."
A breath hitched in his throat. He pressed forward.
"Diablo orchestrated this. He made a contract—made you worship him, corrupted your essence, your souls. All for power. This was his game… the dynasties, the parasites. He was behind it all."
He looked around the room. "And yes… I know what I look like. I resemble Nebula, don't I? A demon. An outcast. But I'm not her. I don't want destruction. I want to protect the beauty that still exists in this world."
Silence turned into reverence.
Weapons lowered.
He stepped toward the sword. "So… this is hers."
Kazimir reached out. The moment his fingers grazed the hilt, the chains shattered like glass under divine pressure. A radiant burst of light filled the hall, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.
He lifted it slowly.
The sword pulsed—alive in his grip. Resonating.
"She was right…" he whispered. "Vanessa was right. I was chosen. Diablo couldn't break this seal because he wasn't meant to."
The throne shimmered behind him. Light consumed his vision.
And then—he saw her.
Karah.
Her figure stood in front of him, aglow in ethereal gold and lightning-blue. Her smile was warm, and her voice—his mother's voice—was soft as a lullaby.
"Kazimir… You've grown."
He dropped to his knees, eyes wide. "M-Mother?"
"Yes. It's me. You've come so far. You've carried burdens no one should ever bear. And yet here you are… standing strong. Stronger than I ever was."
His vision blurred. "I didn't want this… I didn't want to take your place…"
Karah knelt down beside him, brushing her fingers through his hair. "What you're doing isn't wrong. You're healing what I broke. I failed them… I left you too soon. And I'm sorry."
Kazimir's hands trembled around the sword.
"This blade," Karah continued, "holds a fragment of my will. The moment you touched it, I was released. But now… I have to go."
"No. Please—don't. Not yet."
Her smile trembled. "You're still so young, Kazimir. And I know… I know you must've wanted to cry a hundred times. I know how much it hurt to be alone. But you're not anymore."
The sword began to shift, its design changing—becoming a perfect reflection of Kazimir's essence. Blue lightning, shimmering space, cracks of starlight.
Karah wiped a tear from his eye. "You are their light now. Shine, my son. And don't worry… Riah will make sure you're never alone again."
She turned to Jessie, who stood frozen in silent grief.
"Thank you… Jessie. For never leaving him."
Then she looked back to Kazimir.
"My only regret is that I won't see the future with you. But if you remember me… I will always be with you."
And then—she faded.
No explosion. No grand goodbye.
Just light… and then nothing.
Kazimir remained kneeling for a long time, clutching the sword to his chest, tears silently falling down his cheeks.
"I'll cherish it, Mother… I'll cherish this sword. I promise… I'll protect them all."
Vanessa stepped forward, bowing deeply. One by one, the Vrasnai followed.
Mia blinked. "Wait… do we have to bow too?"
Jessie, Lihanna, and Tyrone were already beside Vanessa, heads bowed.
Kazimir slowly sat upon the throne, his chest still rising and falling with quiet sobs.
The Lightning Vandor had risen.
And the storm had finally calmed.