The palace gates opened with a low rumble, golden light spilling across the courtyard as Kazimir and Riah returned. Their footsteps echoed in the great hall, the silence of the night pressing gently against them.
Riah led him without a word toward the balcony that overlooked Kamaki's garden. Down below, the man was still tending to his plants, lanterns flickering faintly around him like fireflies in the dark. Above, the aurora stretched across the heavens—shades of blue and violet rippling beside the great purple moon.
The two sat across from one another at a small stone table. For a moment, neither spoke. The world was too quiet, too beautiful, to disturb. Then, finally, Kazimir's calm voice cut through the silence.
"What is it you want to ask me?"
Riah's red eyes flickered in the moonlight, uncertain, then steady."It's about Gendai. I'm curious… Do you hate her?"
Kazimir leaned back, his expression unreadable, though his words carried no hesitation."I don't hate her. I don't like her either. I am—her distraction. She managed to overcome what kept her back… or so I thought. But Gendai was always going to burst. Those emotions of hers were unstable, uncontrollable. She was too much of a problem—for me, for the others. Someone who wants to kill her own teammate without reason… I gave up on her."
Riah's brows furrowed. She spoke softly but firmly."I know… but you could've at least given her a chance. A fighting chance."
Kazimir's eyes darkened, glinting like galaxies under the night sky."She had that chance, Riah. When she tried to kill Lihanna. When Vanessa crushed her without effort. What more was there for her to prove? She launched an attack that could've destroyed Vrasnia City. The only reason she's alive is because I told Vanessa not to kill her."
Riah's lips parted, hesitant."Would you have done it yourself?"
Kazimir's gaze turned sharp."…Yes. I would have. But I don't want to kill her. I've simply had enough of her. Gendai will follow her own path—on Earth, far from me."
Riah lowered her head, strands of her crimson-streaked hair sliding into her face."But you could've saved her, Kazimir. This isn't about her feelings for you. I know the truth—you pushed her away because you didn't want her growing more attached to you."
Kazimir's voice hardened."Riah, did you even hear a single word I've said? She only wants me because of my power. She clings to me for the sake of her goal—the underworld, her succubus sisters. Not me."
Riah looked up at him with fire in her eyes."The old you would've still tried."
Kazimir froze. The night air felt heavier, the silence between them stretching.
"…Riah, I was never a hero. All I've ever done is fight for my beliefs. Against the nullity. Against that witch, Abiba. Against anyone who stood in my way. I don't hesitate to kill, and I don't hesitate to rebel."
Her hands curled into fists against her lap."If that's true, then why did you fight so hard for humanity? Why did you protect the planet from dynasties for six straight months? I saw you, Kazimir. You endured pain no one else could. You left Capriha, slaughtered every invader you could find on Earth. Don't tell me that was just you chasing Abiba."
His eyes narrowed, voice low."That's exactly what it was. The more I killed, the closer I got to her. Humanity wasn't my goal. It was never my goal."
Riah's voice dropped to a whisper, her gaze softening."…And yet you didn't destroy humanity. You fought to keep it alive. That means you do care, even if you won't admit it."
Kazimir's violet-blue eyes widened, the starlight within them trembling.Stop saying I was a hero. I killed millions. I sacrificed people to protect you, to protect the few. Humanity was never my first thought. They fear me. They wanted me dead. I am no hero to Earth. I am only a hero to Vrasnia."
His words echoed, sharp as blades. Below, Kamaki paused in his garden, quietly listening, his hands frozen on the soil.
Kazimir's voice grew colder, cutting into the night."You care so much about Gendai… but she never cared for you. She wanted your place. She couldn't even stand by you when you struggled against Barrack. She chose me over you, and when you were in need, she failed to help. She let you suffer. She let all of us suffer. And yet—you was still the one who saved her."
Riah's heart ached at the weight of his words. She lowered her head again, silent, letting his truth fall heavy between them.
At last, she whispered:"…I understand. I'm sorry for judging your ideals."
Kazimir leaned back in his chair, gazing into the vast aurora overhead."Don't apologize, Riah. Just know this—I am not humanity's slave. I won't bow to their will. I fight only for my beliefs. If Earth fears me, then let it. When the day comes that they truly need me… I won't be there."
The wind brushed across the balcony, carrying the weight of their silence. The purple moon hung above them like an unblinking eye, watching.
And below, Kamaki dug quietly into the soil, his lips pressed tight, carrying the burden of the words he had overheard.