We gather in the cockpit, staring out at the sun—a colossal, glowing inferno suspended in the dark expanse of space. Its light floods the viewport, softened by the tinted windows, but the vastness of it, the sheer power, is impossible to ignore. I feel the reality settle deep within me: Vitiate, confined within that crystal, is about to be gone. Really gone.

  For so long, he's haunted every decision, every moment of my life. I've fought him, wrestled with his control, but his presence was always there, a dark, looming shadow. And now, watching the crystal drift away, something stirs in me. A hope I haven't dared to feel.

  IG-22 steps forward from the back of the cockpit, silent as ever. "The crystal is ready to be jettisoned," it states, moving with its usual precision as it brings up a control panel, preparing the release. The moment I've been waiting for is here, right in front of me. My finger hovers over the button, reluctant, my mind tangled in memories and doubts.

  "You can do this," Talia whispers, her voice soft but sure.

  I close my eyes, feeling the weight of everything pressing in. "My entire life... I thought I'd escaped, that maybe I could finally live without his grip. But he was always there, even in Aranthia... still pulling the strings, manipulating my choices." My voice wavers, the pain too familiar.

  "Not all of your choices," she whispers, her grip tightening slightly. "You've made your own choices too."

  Apollo's calm, low voice joins hers. "Lyra would be proud of you, Ryu."

  "And August," Talia adds. Their voices ground me, their presence a reminder of what I've gained, of who I've become in spite of him.

  I stare down at the button. It's one press—simple, final. But my hand hesitates, the weight of it all settling into my bones. "Why... why is this so difficult?"

  One by one, hands cover mine. Talia, Nikko, Rebecca, Apollo—even IG-22, and finally DP-8 with a soft beep and a tiny mechanical arm. Together, we press the button.

  The control panel lights up, and a faint alarm sounds. With a hiss and a low hum, the release mechanism activates. The crystal, heavy and dark, drifts forward and out of the cargo hold. For a moment, it floats in the void, bound in the heavy chains we secured it with. And then, almost imperceptibly, it begins to shift, pulled by the sun's far-reaching gravity.

  We watch in silence as it moves away from us. It tumbles, tiny against the immense backdrop of the star, vanishing as it plunges into the glowing sphere. There's nothing for a moment, just the faintest wisp of fire as it descends deeper and deeper, until the burning shape of it disappears entirely.

  It's quiet. Almost too quiet. I'm holding my breath, waiting... hoping.

  And then, a blinding flash of light blooms from where the crystal vanished, cutting through the sun's surface. The brightness pierces through the cockpit's tint, forcing us all to turn away, and in that blinding moment, I feel it—a sensation, overwhelming and unmistakable. His presence... gone. Like a door shutting in the darkness. Like a weight lifting. The remnants of Vitiate, his power, his control... erased in an instant.

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  A relief, powerful and pure, crashes into me, leaving me breathless. The ache in my chest fades, and for the first time, the shadow I've lived with is simply... gone. He's gone. The monster who haunted me, who twisted my choices, my life, all this time. Vitiate is truly gone.

  I look around at the others, their faces lit with awe and a quiet, knowing peace. Talia's hand remains on mine, her gaze steady and soft, and I feel Nikko warmth around mine, her eyes shining with relief.

  I breathe out, and it feels like breathing for the first time.

  I look down at my hand, still feeling the lingering warmth of everyone's touch. It's a strange realization—their hands were there, steadying me through the final push, holding me in place as I let go of a fear I thought would follow me forever. Their support felt like a shield, each hand giving me the strength I needed to finally end it.

  Talia's voice pulls me from my thoughts. "How are you feeling, Ryu?" she asks, her eyes searching mine, her voice soft but filled with relief.

  I take a deep breath, reaching for the right words. "Like... like a splinter that I could never get out. It was always there, just... nagging at me, buried so deep it was almost a part of me." I pause, shaking my head slightly. "And now it's finally gone." I laugh, realizing how simple it sounds. "Not the best analogy, I know, but it feels so good, knowing he's truly gone."

  A gentle smile spreads across her face, her gaze warm. "I'm glad," she says softly, reaching for my hand one more time, squeezing it gently. And then, without warning, she tugs me toward the lift. "Now you can finally get the rest you need."

  I pull back, hesitating. "But Talia, I still need to check on Rebecca—make sure she's alright." I glance toward Apollo, hoping he'll back me up, but he simply inclines his head, almost as if he's siding with Talia on this.

  "Apollo can do that," Talia insists, not missing a beat.

  "But... I still need to reach out to your father and King Bjorn. They deserve to know what happened," I protest, trying to keep my footing as she gently but firmly pulls me along.

  "I'll take care of that," she says, her voice leaving no room for argument.

  "But—"

  "No buts, Ryu. You promised me you would properly rest." Her tone is gentle but unyielding, her eyes meeting mine with that determined gleam I've come to recognize. "Now you can."

  I feel the tension in me loosen, just a bit, and with a deep sigh, I let go, knowing she's right. "Oh, alright," I mumble, finally allowing myself to acknowledge the exhaustion seeping into my bones. There's no argument left in me now. I've fought enough.

  As we reach the lift, I look over my shoulder at DP-8. "DP-8, you've got the helm," I tell it, watching as it beeps in acknowledgment before it resumes its watchful position over the controls.

  "Papa!" Nikko's voice chimes in, bright with excitement. "Can I rest with you?" She clasps my hand, her eyes wide with hopeful eagerness.

  I chuckle softly, reaching down to ruffle her hair. "Of course, Nikko. We could all use some rest."

  Rebecca's voice reaches us as we're stepping into the lift. "How long will it take for us to get back to Aranthia?" she asks, her tone laced with the slightest edge of impatience.

  "About two days," I respond, feeling a twinge of sympathy as she lets out a resigned groan. The lift doors slide closed, sealing us off, and I feel myself leaning back, the quiet hum of the ship settling into my mind. The journey has felt endless, and now the prospect of peace feels almost surreal.

  As the lift descends, Talia rests her hand on my arm, giving me a gentle nudge. I meet her eyes, catching the warmth in them, and realize that for the first time in ages, I don't have to worry anymore. I can finally, truly rest.