End of the Long Night

"This is the fated hero, the true protagonist of the Sixth Epoch."

Standing before the vanished wall, Shade clutched his chest and panted within the Mystic Lock. The distance from Sikar Mountain's summit to the city below was actually considerable; only while inside the Mystic Lock could he see so clearly.

He had clearly witnessed Iluna throwing that Giant Sunlight Gun just now. Unless he underwent divinity again, Shade had no way of defeating that Undead Behemoth.

His admiration was not insincere. With Sister Devlin's assistance, Iluna had won with a single strike. Setting aside the gods tonight, she was the hero beneath the Star Sea most worthy of being recorded.

If Shade and Iluna fought, he had no confidence in an absolute victory.

"You are an audience beyond fate. Perhaps you occasionally influence the stage, but Iluna Bayes is the fated hero upon it."

The Nun spoke softly. Her main body had returned, and Shade greatly envied that ability.

He nodded. Two Red Butterflies flew from his shoulder and landed on the ground, transforming into Helen and Grace, who staggered and nearly fell.

Shade and Sister Devlin supported them. Then Shade said:

"The last matter tonight: although the Witch Emperor prophesied that the Night Watchman is key to sealing the Interstice, I can't bear to leave that sword above Middlesburg. The Mystic Lock's power hasn't been exhausted yet, so I'll seal the Interstice as well. Sister, I need to borrow your flames."

"It would be my honor."

The palace scenery around them faded, replaced by a primordial forest and the night. Shade supported Helen, while Sister Devlin supported Grace, and they sat beneath the giant tree that had appeared behind them at some point, before the bonfire Sister Devlin had lit with First Fire.

After using three Mystic Locks