In the vacuum, countless phantoms emerged, then grew ever more real.
Aether was converging. Boundless, endless Aether, like an ever-expanding universe, became a vast nebula without shore or boundary in an instant. Silver-cyan radiance glittered within the endless nebula, condensing into figures that differed from one another, yet were utterly identical.
Every one of them was a different Ian.
Every one of them was the same Ian.
At Ian's behest, all Ians began to be guided forth from the history of past and future. For they were the Ring, and part of infinity itself. The instant every Ian was summoned here, they understood the meaning of it all.
"So this is the final moment?"
"Perhaps it is not the end. Perhaps I will still fail, but this time, I am closer to the 'ending' than ever before."
"Haha, Terminus! This is the first time I have seen it from so close!"
"At last. I have found the answer."
"How fascinating."
Some sighed with emotion, some marveled, some regretted that they had only witnessed this scene at the very end, while others curiously gazed upon that colossal darkness and smiled.
This was a sight that almost none of the Ians had ever seen.
Thus, they watched.
Thus, they gathered.
Thus, they came here.
To witness the ending.
"Come."
Let us end all of this.
In the vacuum, Ian held up the Sutton Black Hole Seal in his hand, and all the Ians raised their hands as well, drawing swords or clenching their fists.
Old men. Children. Emperors. Poets.
Betrayers. Bearers. Revolutionaries. Destroyers.
Those who stepped forward in utter resolve. Those who died in hatred. Those who departed in helplessness. Those who walked toward the future with hope.
One.
One after another.
Because they could not have their wish.
Because they could