The X-Men, formed under the leadership of Charles and Erik, were officially established in the Holy Domain. Even before the group was fully operational, a formal alliance had already been agreed upon with S.H.I.E.L.D., after negotiations with Colonel Phillips, Peggy, Howard, and Steve.
The base was set in the Holy Domain, as initially planned, becoming its second subordinate organization. Its mission: to rescue mutants hidden across the world, and at the same time, to apprehend those who abuse their powers for evil.
However, this world's superpowered individuals aren't limited to mutants. The X-Men are responsible only for mutants, while other superpowered criminals remain under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s jurisdiction.
Steve also returned to the Holy Domain with Erik and the others, where he learned the full situation.
They wanted to help, but honestly couldn't intervene. Speaking purely in terms of strength—Steve, even as one of the pillars, would be instantly defeated if he joined the fight.
"The realm of gods is not something you can get involved in yet. Rather than feeling frustrated or powerless, focus on training and becoming stronger. Aim for a time when, in the next battle, you no longer have to stand by as a spectator."
Those were Melin's exact words. Steve was still reluctant to accept it, but his determination wasn't shaken. He trained even harder, and swore to himself: next time, if he was nearby—even if it meant death—he would charge forward without fear.
This is Steve Rogers, this is Captain America—the symbol of light and courage.
Things were progressing well. Although superpowered criminals were emerging all over the world, thanks to the cooperation between Spear Bureau and the X-Men, most threats were crushed before they could grow, never having a chance to cause real chaos.
But the increasing number of superpowered individuals couldn't be hidden forever. World leaders were growing anxious, and even some ambitious schemers began offering generous rewards to recruit these individuals—regardless of how much innocent blood they had on their hands. Others secretly started researching superpowered beings.
Melin saw it all. But he didn't intervene much. First, because unless their power reached the level of the Three Ancient Forces, they posed no threat to the Holy Domain. Second, he still upheld his original philosophy: this was the era of mankind. However humanity chose to progress—he would not interfere too much.
If they chose the right path, then their achievements were their own—and a sign they were worthy of moving forward without divine guidance. If they chose wrong, Melin wouldn't hesitate to act, and remind them just how heavy the cost of a wrong choice could be.
At this moment, however, the Holy Domain was not filled with happiness. A heavy sorrow hung in the air. Dark clouds loomed above, and a light drizzle fell— even the heavens seemed to grieve.
At Morkarba's residence, Saints gathered: Shion, Alex, and twelve Gold Saints stood outside. Behind them were the Silver Saints, followed by Bronze Saints including Steve, and then Peggy, Howard, and his wife Maria, the three honorary clergy members. Farther out were Charles, Erik, other X-Men, and citizen representatives of the Holy Domain.
Inside the house, only Melin and a bedridden Morkarba remained.
Morkarba's face was pale, his wrinkled skin like an ancient, withering tree. His eyes flickered with dimming light, the flame of life close to extinguished.
Melin knelt by the bed, holding his hand.
"My Lord… I'm sorry… it seems I can't overcome this final trial…" Morkarba said weakly.
"Nonsense. With me here, what is there to fear?" Melin comforted gently.
"Heh heh… you're still so good at joking… My Lord… I can no longer serve you… The little ones… there's so much I haven't taught them…"
"Morkarba, you've done more than enough. You are an excellent Saint—one of the very best. Your grandfather, your parents… they are all proud of you."
"Your praise… heh heh… I've waited… hundreds of thousands of years… It's just a pity… I won't get to see Lady Athena one last time… I still haven't reported… on my mission…"
"Don't worry. I believe even Lady Athena would be proud of you."
"Then I'm at peace… My Lord… I… Morkarba… Gold Saint of Aries… have fought all my life… for the Holy Domain… for the love and hope of the earth… I have no regrets… If there is a next life… I will be a Saint once more… and serve you both again…"
"Morkarba… is there anything else you want to tell me?" Melin could feel the last embers of life fading. Only a flicker kept him holding on.
"My Lord… we are destined to vanish… from this world… but in the end… before I disappear… I saw… that in this age… on this earth… there are still those… who fear not even the gods… and possess noble dignity… I have no regrets…!"
That final surge of strength used up the last of Morkarba's life. With his death, he roared his approval of the new generation, passing on the torch of protection.
"You've done enough, Morkarba. Rest now. Sleep well. I'll wait for you to return to the Holy Domain in a new form—just as you once waited for me and Athena for hundreds of thousands of years." Melin spoke with a gentle smile, even though Morkarba could no longer hear him.
Melin folded Morkarba's hands over his chest and stood up. As he turned to leave, a tear slid down his cheek, landing on Morkarba's hand.
"My Lord…" Shion stepped forward, weeping.
"Sound the bell eighty-eight times. Send him off." Melin commanded firmly.
"Yes!"
A simple wooden coffin. Melin personally led the way, helping to carry it. Others included Shion, Alex, Mu, Aiolos, Shaka, Saga, and Kanon.
The funeral procession made its way to the Saints' cemetery—where generations of Saints had been buried, whether in body or by symbolic tomb. This was where they returned in the end. It was the Saints' final resting place, and their greatest honor.
As the coffin was slowly buried, many wept openly. Even the female Saints covered their faces in tears. Even members of the X-Men and Spear Bureau, who barely knew Morkarba, had red-rimmed eyes. Citizen representatives of the Holy Domain bowed their heads in deep respect—for the elder who had given hundreds of thousands of years to serve the earth.
When the burial ended, Melin turned to face everyone.
"I believe… you all heard Morkarba's final words…"
Everyone looked at him, eyes red, but filled with determination.
"Morkarba acknowledged you. He handed his mission to you. But… can you truly bear this burden?"
"For Lord Melin! For Lady Athena! For the love and hope of the earth! Until death, no regrets!"
Shion, Alex, and all the Saints knelt with one knee, responding with the loudest, firmest voices. They would carry this mission. They would fulfill it, no matter what.
"Good. Then let us send him off properly. Sound the bell!"
With that, the Saints knelt solemnly. The others bowed their heads and placed their hands over their hearts.
DONG—DONG—DONG—
The bell atop the mountain rang eighty-eight times. It was the highest honor of the Holy Domain, representing the mourning of all eighty-eight constellations. Since the Mythical Era, it had only rung once—when Melin slumbered and all twelve original Gold Saints had fallen.
This was the second time.
Others, no matter their deeds, had only received twelve chimes—the secondary honor, reserved for the twelve zodiac Saints.
Some might say Morkarba did not deserve such a send-off. But in Melin's eyes, he did. After hundreds of thousands of years of faithful service, holding the line to his final breath, and passing on the torch—he deserved it.
After the chimes ended, Melin gave Shion the task of handling the rest, and quietly returned to the temple.
He didn't care about appearances. Sitting at the gate, he took out two old cups and a pot of wine. He poured both full, but drank only one.
"The last one is gone now, Morkarba… Even though we still have a new generation… with you gone, I still feel a bit lonely. I remember… that time you peed on my shoulders as a kid… and Jathsuin gave you a good beating… and then that one time…"
Melin spoke softly to himself, reminiscing as he poured another drink into a third cup.
Suddenly, Ashura appeared. Without a word, he sat beside Melin and picked up the third cup.
"You're back?"
"Mm. Just in time to send him off."
"Good."
"Aren't you going to ask how it went?"
"I don't want to talk about it right now. Today… is about saying goodbye to him."
"…Alright."
Two people. Three cups. They sat together, exchanging quiet words, some teasing, some nostalgic.
This scene was frozen in time. No wind. No rain. No sunlight. Beneath the heavy clouds—it was desolate… yet warm.