As the Hollow Sun reached completion, its light dimmed — and with it, the flame of Solarine's heart was extinguished. In its place, the blaze and radiance of Alexander emerged.
Pulling my sword from Solarine's abdomen, I staggered back, assessing the damage to my own body:
a severed arm, a burned face, broken front teeth, and deep gashes across my chest — yet, compared to him, I was still in excellent shape.
…Then why doesn't he fall?
How can this ancient monster still stand, still fight, after all that?
** "Hero, I wish to speak with you… alone." **
My time was running out, my body weakening — but… I couldn't stop now. Not while that monster still breathed.
"…Alexander, there's something I've wanted to ask you since the start of this battle."
Solarine's voice softened; his tone grew faint, his heartbeat slower.
"Why do you fight me?"
"…Why? What a ridiculous question."
I lunged toward Solarine, my tears evaporating instantly in the heat of our clashes.
"For the child who will one day wield my sword… and take my throne."
** "I don't think Ronald is ready… yes, he's responsible and protective of his siblings, but… he's still a bit childish."
Those words were from a father — confiding his weakness to the only one who could understand: the hero.
"…In a distant world, there exists a colossal being that defies physics — where the impossible becomes reality.
But, Your Majesty, do you know how it's born?"
"…?"
"A black hole is born when a great star dies…
and you, Alexander… are great enough." **
His words shattered my doubts, fueling my rage and strength.
"For the one who will be his support and mind forever…"
** "I'm afraid I'm putting too much pressure on Raphael. I want him to live a normal life, but I've always burdened him with heavy responsibilities."
"That's because you trust him more than anyone — and I'm sure he knows that."
"But will he get along with Ronald…? Won't he covet the throne, or try to overthrow his brother?"
"The Raphael I know would never do that. He'd stand by his brother, with all the strength and breath he has." **
I plunged my black sword into his chest as my hand tore away half his face — yet Solarine countered with several blows that crushed my bones.
My lungs struggled to grasp any air, but the damage was too severe.
"For the kind girl… to live a life untouched by blood."
** "You're worried about Lysia?"
"How could I not be? She's my daughter. In a world where death is easier than drinking water, she trembles at the sight of blood."
"But you've seen how Ronald handles things. Why are you so anxious?"
"You're right " **
Pain consumed every inch of my body. I just wanted to rest — to close my eyes —
but even blinking was impossible with that monster still alive.
…There are others, powerful ones — even Loki. They could defeat him.
So… can't I just close my eyes for a moment?
"…And I fight also… for that child who cast himself away from his own family."
** "…Ryan always tries to solve everything on his own, even if it puts him in danger."
"I know. He's the most mature and brilliant among his brothers, despite being the youngest. I saw it from the first glance."
"I don't want that. We're a family — we should rely on one another. He doesn't have to bear everything alone."
"Isn't it only because he loves you all — and doesn't wish to trouble anyone?"
"…Still, I regret not spending time with him like I did with his brothers. Maybe that's why he sees himself as a burden."
"As I told Ronald before, you're still alive — which means you still have the chance to spend time with him as you wish."
After those words, the hero stood with a firm gaze.
"Your Majesty, take a month off. Spend it with your children. Leave the preparations to us."
"Thank you… truly. I don't know how to repay you. You fought a war that wasn't yours — for our sake — and guided us like a mentor."
"There's no need to thank me. You've helped me just as much. But I have a small request — can I move Mary to the defensive line? I'm sure she'll jump into danger to save anyone."
"Of course. How could I refuse a friend's request?" **
"I'm invoking the Shield!"
At my command, a black barrier enveloped us, cutting us off from the outside world.
I threw away my sword and thrust my hand into my chest, gripping my heart.
"This is our end, Solarine."
Without resistance, he allowed me to embed my heart deep within him.
And he whispered, "Are those… your children? You're right, Alexander. There's no shame in dying by the hand of a great man like you."
With those final words, I unleashed the power of the heart — channeling all my strength and essence — triggering a colossal explosion.
The shield contained the blast, preventing the devastation from reaching the earth.
The explosion was so immense that it cracked the barrier, hurling both of our bodies beyond the world — into the void between realms,
the very space where cosmic entities dwell, just as End Writers roam between worlds.
The pressure shattered the barrier, sending both corpses drifting into the void.
"Hurry, Loki! Before the cosmic beings arrive!"
A green flame burst within the darkness — Loki appeared, retrieving both bodies and bringing them back to the lands of men.
"Father!" Ronald caught his father's body, while Raphael pleaded, "Please! Bring the doctors! We must save him!"
"Father, wake up! Please don't leave us… I don't know what to do without you — I need you!"
"What are you waiting for?! Help him!"
But no one responded — only silence and murmurs.
"That's enough… let him rest."
An old soldier stepped forward — wise and weathered — his words carrying the weight of truth.
"Using the Power of the Heart means he was ready to give his life for the next generation… we must honor that."
As the old man reached to close Alexander's eyes, Ronald pushed him away.
Beside him, Raphael, tears streaming yet silent, kept issuing desperate commands:
"Please! Bring an artificial heart! Quickly!"
From among the crowd emerged a man in a white coat, and The lights immediately shifted toward him.
At his side walked another, limping and covered in scars — just out of the medical ward.
"Reinhard… please, save my father."
"…" Without a word, Reinhard lifted Alexander's body… and gently closed his eyes.
At that moment, both brothers knew — their father was gone.
As Reinhard and Raphael walked away, the latter wiping his tears, Ronald's gaze darkened.
"…Wipe them out."
Everyone froze at the command — the war was already won, yet the victor had just ordered its continuation.
"Ronald, the war's over! We can't reignite it after their surrender!"
Even with my words, Ronald's sharp eyes did not waver.
From across the field, another voice rose — the commander of the allied army from Valdron.
"We joined this war not for our sake, but out of respect for Alexander and his ancestors. Now that it's over, our part is done."
"…Very well. Thank you for your support."
Before turning to leave, the commander spoke once more:
"…Ronald, you're the son of a great man. Try to become like him… or greater."
With those words, he turned and departed with his troops.
I stepped toward Ronald, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I know losing a father is hard, but you must be strong — for your siblings."
"…How am I supposed to tell Lysia about this tragedy?"
His voice was cold and low, his eyes dry and empty.
"Leave that to me and Reinhard."
My eyes wandered toward Raphael, who had already begun arranging the funeral rites,
and the soldiers awaiting Ronald's next command.
Ronald straightened, his expression now calm — the air of a leader around him.
"You've fought bravely in this war and brought honor to our name. Let's return home and rest."
Cheers erupted across the battlefield, drowning out the last breaths of the ancient being still alive.
"I can't believe you're still breathing."
In an instant, my feet carried me across the field, stopping beside Solarine's head.
"You truly deserve the title Sun Calamity, Solarine."
"…I am not Solarine." His voice was faint, fragile — on the edge of death.
"You're a clone… but that still makes you Solarine."
"…Does having someone's form and memories truly make me them?"
"…You have a point."
"…I wish the real Solarine had realized it sooner — realized he'd gone mad, realized he was destroying what he once tried to build… if only he had…"
"Nothing will change. What's done is done."
"I know… but the truth that we're prisoners of an age long gone — that this era isn't ours — it terrifies and saddens me.
Everything I knew, everything I lived for… has turned to dust."
"…I don't know how to comfort you."
"I don't need your pity. I lived proudly — and I'll die the same way."
"I didn't mean pity… but respect. You were a good man — you just lost your sight."
"My blindness cost millions of lives. And at the end of this story… I'll be the evil that brings peace through my death."
The red glow of Solarine's sword beside him began to fade, turning into a deep, elegant black.
The flame that never dimmed, never faltered… had finally gone out.
"May you find your own peace, Solarine."
I closed his eyes with my hand —
and thus ended the tale of the ancient being, his remorse, and the Sun Calamity.