"Life is infinitely precious—so how could I possibly allow myself to die?"
The [Mugen Eyecon] in Sora's hand was still blazing hot, but now appeared somewhat illusory.
Having just revived countless beings, its power was almost completely exhausted. Though it would slowly recover over time, right now it was little more than an empty shell.
Yet Sora could sense countless lives still connected to this [Mugen Eyecon].
Lives were infinitely connected, with emotions as the thread linking them all together.
Joy, anger, sadness, fun, love, fear, courage—
Seven emotions, seven colors, symbolizing the proof that people existed and lived upon this world.
These were the most important emotions shared by all living beings.
"Thus, for the sake of these hard-won lives… everyone, please lend me your strength."
Hidden even deeper beneath these emotions was the most critical hope—the wish people held toward tomorrow.
The desire to see family again tomorrow, to meet friends again tomorrow, or even something as simple as—what delicious things to eat tomorrow?
These emotions resonated within Sora's [Mugen Eyecon], causing it to emit a faint, fragile glow.
It was incredibly weak, negligible compared to a distant star's radiance.
A light this weak couldn't hope to stand against an AEON; it seemed likely to vanish at any moment.
[THAT'S NOTHING BUT AN EMPTY SHELL. EVEN IF YOU POUR ALL YOUR REMAINING POWER INTO IT, IT WOULD TAKE THREE DAYS JUST TO RETURN TO ITS FORMER STATE.]
HOOH observed with confusion as two [Eyecons] intertwined and merged into one.
Why pour your remaining energy into a vessel already completely drained?
Fa~
A soft, ethereal tone rang out as if about to fade at any moment.
"Because I believe." Despite it all, Sora chose to trust.
'[DAIKGAN! MUGEN NO INOCHI!]'
An ethereal cloak emerged, floating gently in space, seemingly ready to vanish in the very next instant.
Belief?
[DO YOU REALLY THINK THESE NEWLY REVIVED LIVES WOULD GIVE UP THEIR PRECIOUS POWER?]
HOOH gazed toward the countless planets within the vast starfield.
Yet, strangely, THEIR vision couldn't detect any of these newly revived beings.
Having just returned, these people had yet to fully adapt to the universe's laws.
But precisely because of this, HOOH felt even more perplexed.
Life itself was composed of selfishness and selflessness, yet in moments of true peril, most beings chose selfishness.
Selfless ones were always a minority, and an excess of selfishness inevitably disturbed cosmic equilibrium.
HOOH's role was precisely to control and maintain these fluctuations within manageable limits.
[EVEN THOUGH YOU REVIVED THEM OUT OF YOUR OWN SELFISHNESS. WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THEY WON'T BE SELFISH IN TURN?]
As THEY spoke, the starfield itself twisted under an invisible hand, distorting the patterns of space and time.
"Hey! You bastard—attacking while talking?!" Titania shouted angrily, slashing apart the distortions with her twin blades.
She knew perfectly well when Sora was most vulnerable.
As for HOOH's question, Sora answered plainly, "Of course. My current form itself is the proof!"
'[GACHIRIMINA~~]'
The sounds of countless voices—men, women, children, elders, intelligent machines—rose together in chaotic yet hopeful harmony.
"HenShin!"
'[DAIKAIGAN! MUGEN NO INOCHI!]'
A transparent coat appeared, settling softly around Sora. No flashy effects, no dazzling radiance—just as if he'd simply put on ordinary clothing.
'[MUGEN NO INOCHI NO KOSU]'
'[CONNECTING INFINITE EMOTIONS, THE HEART OF JUSTICE GAINS EVEN GREATER POWER!]'
KAMEN RIDER GHOST—LIFE DAMASHII!
Sora stood quietly in the cosmos. Even Titania stared blankly, dumbfounded by the scene.
"Wait—what happened to your flames? Where's the feathers?" She circled around Sora, examining him from every angle in disbelief. "At least… where's your sword?!"
For Titania, this transformation was truly eye-opening.
There was nothing flashy or bizarre—no flames burning swarms, no soothing feathers, not even the enormous blade spanning light-years that had appeared when fighting her.
"You don't have a weapon, do you? Take mine then!" They were still in the middle of battle; Titania had no intention of watching Sora throw his life away.
She quickly offered him her cicada-shaped blade resembling the Firefly Sword.
Yet, Sora declined.
"I don't need it."
"What did you say? If you're throwing your life away, I'm leaving!"
Sora smiled faintly. "Can't you hear it? The echo from countless lives."
Titania froze, and HOOH also turned THEIR gaze toward the distant, pitch-black galaxy.
Countless stars—points of dazzling light—rushed toward their location, a surge of brilliance flooding across space.
And within that brilliance… were countless glittering lives!
...
Sora's call resonated clearly in the ears of all those newly revived. Those summoned glanced hesitantly at one another.
They had just regained their lives after enormous hardship—would they really sacrifice their newfound vitality again?
"What are you all hesitating for? If not for him, we'd all still be dead!"
Yet among them, someone clear-headed quickly pinpointed the heart of the matter:
"Think about it! At this point, do we still have anyone else to count on?"
"Would you rather trust some rescue that'll never come? Or help the guy who actually brought us back from the dead? Even a fool knows which to choose!"
After those words, the person himself burst forth into a streak of starlight, rushing into the darkness of space.
Though his phrasing was rough, it truthfully captured their current predicament.
Rather than trusting nonexistent rescue teams, they should place their trust in the man who'd actually revived them!
With newfound resolve, they all nodded at one another, each becoming a beam of radiance soaring through the cosmos.
Others, witnessing streams of starlight streaking through space, swallowed their fear and joined without hesitation.
Even those whom Sora hadn't directly helped made their choices clear. As for those directly saved by him—nothing needed to be said.
...
"Sorry, brother—Mr. Sora needs me. I have to go!" On Tartaro, a recently revived man who'd just reunited with his friend immediately prepared to depart again.
But unexpectedly, his friend grabbed his leg tightly: "I'm going too! Mr. Sora saved my whole family; if he needs help, there's no way I'll miss it!"
Thus, the two transformed into an especially radiant beam of light, flying together into the sky.
Witnessing this, those who had remained alive throughout the disaster showed excited expressions to the revived beside them.
Soon, one thick pillar of radiant light after another slowly rose from Tartaro, blending into a massive silver-white waterfall across the starry sky.
The Iron Cavalry, resonating deeply with Sora's soul, transformed into clusters of brilliant white flame, also racing forth.
Robin, left behind as everyone around her became streams of light, smiled quietly: "Well then… I suppose it's my turn."
Though she hadn't died and had no direct spiritual bond with Sora, she still knew a method to reach him.
She arrived at the research institute, gently placing her hand upon the chest of the still-slumbering body.
Instantly, a faint seven-colored radiance spread around her.
"So it works after all," Robin whispered, clenching her fist tightly, feeling her heartbeat.
Before, all I could do was watch helplessly from afar as you suffered, as you became battered and wounded.
Now her figure transformed into a blazing seven-colored comet, racing swiftly through the vast cosmos.
This time—I'll stand by your side and lend you my strength!
...
Countless dots of light converged, forming a thread, a stream, then a waterfall, winding its way gracefully through the cosmos.
The destination of this path was none other than Sora himself!
"If our savior calls, how could we refuse?"
"Big brother, do your best—kick the bad guy's butt!"
"Sora-san, it's my honor to fight alongside you."
Words infused with heartfelt wishes accompanied each particle of light, merging into the transparent cloak around Sora's body, causing its edges to bloom with dazzling, seven-colored radiance!
"The honor of fighting alongside you all… is entirely mine."
With a wave of his right hand, a small, shimmering infinity symbol, radiating seven-colored brilliance, appeared behind him.
Though tiny at first, the strength emanating from it was impossible for HOOH to ignore.
And as the points of distant light continued to stream in, the wings grew ever larger!
HOOH spoke no more. The stable structure of space around Sora rapidly began to collapse.
Titania, floating in midair, suddenly found herself unable to stabilize her own position.
An immense cosmic storm instantly erupted around the two, placing Sora and Titania directly at its center.
This roaring storm was powerful enough to crush starships into twisted scrap metal and planets into dust in an instant.
Yet, despite this devastating cosmic tempest, the distant points of light accurately flowed through it, flawlessly merging into the infinite wings behind Sora.
Why…?
HOOH was puzzled. How could such faint energies completely ignore the cosmic storm?
Yet no one answered THEIR doubts. Only the once-raging cosmic winds gradually quieted beneath the radiant illumination of seven-colored brilliance—as if the universe itself had ceased its anger.
"HEY!!!" Titania had never felt so infuriated before.
Why did this damned guy keep launching sneak attacks before finishing what he was saying?!
Does honor mean nothing to you?! Is there no law anymore?!
She charged angrily at HOOH's stone-carved figure, only to fly back even faster, forced to rely on Sora catching her midair.
"Really now—Titania is still as reckless as ever."
Hearing a familiar voice, Titania turned around in surprise, staring at Sora's glowing wings behind him.
Fenille?!
"That's our Commander Titania's bravery!"
"Long live Commander Titania!"
At these annoyingly familiar cheers, Titania immediately developed a throbbing vein on her forehead: "Shut up! I'm a god, you fools!"
Yet, their noisy shouts couldn't change the ongoing situation.
[THE POWER OF THE STORM REMAINS UNCHANGED.]
Watching Titania fly back behind Sora, HOOH reaffirmed THEIR judgment had been correct.
Then the only reason the glowing lights could pass unscathed through the storm was because of Sora himself.
[SO THIS IS YOUR POWER? CONNECTING AND ABSORBING THESE TINY, FRAGILE EMOTIONS… TRULY INCOMPREHENSIBLE.]
When all impossibilities had been excluded, whatever remained, however improbable, must be the truth.
Sora was about to reply, but a gentle voice spoke softly into his ear.
"You don't need to answer with words."
Robin's voice resonated clearly beside him. "Just do as you always have—use the method that always moves your heart. Sing the song echoing within you right now…"
Hearing Robin's words, Sora understood immediately.
This wasn't the moment for words, but for actions!
He activated the [Driver], and an infinite seven-colored radiance burst forth in a surging torrent.
He clenched his fists, spread his arms wide, and allowed the boundless energy to surge through his body.
'[CHOU DAIKAIGAN! MUGEN!]'
The transparent cloak surrounding him transformed amidst an explosion of dazzling seven-colored brilliance, finally converging toward his right foot.
'[LIFE!]'
The wings symbolizing infinity flapped gently, rendering distance meaningless before him.
In a heartbeat, he crossed space and time, appearing directly before HOOH!
HOOH tried to dodge, but immediately felt the familiar sensation of being locked-on once again.
The tracking ability of the HUNT had carried forward, perfectly integrated into Sora's current attack.
No evasion. No escape. The only choice was direct confrontation!
'[LIFE OMEGA DRIVE!]'
The familiar amber crystal wall appeared once more before HOOH, firmly resisting Sora's powerful kick!
This strike far exceeded his previous attempt, yet surprisingly, Titania chose this exact moment to charge forward, wielding her twin blades:
"Now, witness what it means—when a god-level being makes a surprise attack!"
The Crystal Pincer blades, although far weaker than the original, could still pierce QLIPOTH's crystal barrier—enough, at least, to become a suitable drill!
Without hesitation, Sora immediately kicked the drill Titania had created.
"Now go, you reckless fool!"
KAKAKAKA—!
The crystal barrier fractured inch by inch, finally pierced through by Sora's relentless assault!
With a flick of THEIR finger, HOOH scattered the drill into glittering dust drifting into the boundless cosmos.
But this had no impact on Sora; his right foot had already made direct contact with HOOH once more!
Facing this threat, HOOH couldn't escape—the tracking of the HUNT remained firmly locked upon THEM.
[EVEN IF YOU GROW STRONGER BY ABSORBING ENERGY, HOW MUCH OF THIS FRAGILE POWER MUST YOU GATHER TO SHAKE THE EQUILIBRIUM OF THE COSMOS?]
Countless dots of light combined, forming a luminous waterfall cascading into Sora, causing the wings behind him to expand rapidly until, in the end, they matched even HOOH's enormous form spanning several light-years!
The continuously increasing power shone brightly upon HOOH, causing slight cracks to form along THEIR stone-carved body.
A flash of realization crossed the stone-carved eyes—and at that moment, THEY heard a sound reverberating across the cosmos:
This sound was… singing?!
I'll never know why I was born~♫
If all I do is think about it~♫
So I'll live. I'll fire up my soul and survive~♫
And find the reason someday~♫
The singing seemed to partially answer THEIR confusion. Then came a chorus led by a woman's voice.
To the comrades I met in this same era!~♫
We think, therefore we are~♫
Let's start a new page of history, my friends!~♫
We think, therefore we are~♫
Everyone has only one chance to live~♫
Live freely!~♫
Harmonious voices resonated alongside the dazzling brilliance, illuminating countless worlds across hundreds of light-years.
Yet none were able to witness this glorious spectacle—because they were all part of the seven-colored wings themselves!
Bearing countless wishes and billions upon billions of hopes, carrying their combined strength…
"LET'S GOOOO!"
In this instant, the fundamental laws of the universe trembled greatly. The wings—infused with everyone's earnest desires, matching even the size of an AEON—erupted with unprecedented brilliance!
This was the most powerful kick humanity had ever unleashed, united by the collective will of billions of souls, directed at the god who'd allowed their deaths!
The stars themselves shivered beneath this heartfelt wish. Even time seemed to halt beneath this singular strike!
[IS THIS THE POWER YOU RELY ON?]
Although THEIR body had shattered by more than half, HOOH remained utterly calm.
This time, THEY had finally seen clearly the potential of such power.
A collective strength of countless beings could truly shake the equilibrium of the universe. Indeed, it could cause such an outcome.
On reflection, whether the Swarm Disaster or the Anti-Organic Wars that followed, wasn't it always the sheer number of beings that shook equilibrium?
No matter how THEY controlled the variables, anomalies inevitably arose. And this era's anomaly…
[IT WAS YOU ALL ALONG…]
"Not me alone—it's us!"
KAKAKAKA—!!!
Cracks rapidly spread over HOOH's stone-carved body. Yet, upon hearing Sora's response, HOOH's tone finally showed a faint shift—a trace of amusement.
EQUILIBRIUM should forever remain calm and without emotion; this tiny spark of enjoyment undoubtedly disturbed that EQUILIBRIUM.
But it mattered not—it was merely a temporary ripple.
After all, THEY would inevitably return.
[IS THAT SO?]
Cracks had spread across THEIR entire form. HOOH's gaze lingered upon Sora, a slight ripple appearing within THEIR heart.
With EQUILIBRIUM briefly shaken, even THEIR mind would fluctuate slightly.
In that case—allow me one final amusement.
The massive, cracked statue spanning several light-years shattered abruptly, scattering into drifting dust and debris, obscuring the surroundings.
Even this dust could not hide the seven-colored brilliance—
Yet suddenly, the radiant wings vanished entirely, reappearing abruptly countless light-years away behind a distant planet!
?!
Sora was confused. Why had HOOH teleported him away at the last moment?
Had THEY left yet another trick hidden somewhere in the Swarm Disaster zone?
Sensing danger, Sora transformed into a streak of light, exceeding lightspeed, rushing swiftly back—
After Sora departed, a pitiful voice echoed quietly in the empty cosmos:
[AHA IS SO UNLUCKY, AHA IS TRULY UNLUCK—BLOCKHEAD TRICKED ME! MY BUTT HURTS! FEELS LIKE I'VE BEEN KICKED SEVERAL LIGHT-YEARS AWAY...]
Yet soon, wild laughter scattered away that pitiful complaint.
[BUT IT'S SO INTERESTING, SO MUCH FUN! AHAHAHA! NEXT TIME, AHA WILL FIND BLOCKHEAD AND KICK THEIR BUTT TOO!]
Hidden behind that laughing mask, a brightly glowing seven-colored footprint shone conspicuously upon AHA's rear—and as it moved, it traced a shimmering trail across the stars.