Three days later, the city was stabilizing. Provisional councils were being formed. People were talking, arguing, debating. They were building a new society, one conversation at a time.
Nox and Serian were preparing to leave. They had done what they came to do. Their small cottage in their quiet valley was calling to them.
As they stood on the landing platform where a small, unassuming transport was waiting, two figures approached.
It was Damien and the Apostle, Lyra. They were not wearing their power armor or their god-like robes. They were dressed in simple, civilian clothes.
"You're leaving," Damien said. It was not a question.
"This is your world," Nox replied. "Your story to write."
"I made a choice," Damien said. He looked at Nox, and for the first time, there was no anger or arrogance in his eyes. Just a weary, hard-won understanding. "I accepted the link. Not as an administrator. As an advisor. A partner. The System and I… we're going to guide this world. Together."
