The chamber grew still.
Ten fragments pulsed in a perfect circle.
Each girl behind Liam stood in silent understanding.
He placed his hand on the terminal.
And chose:
> [Option C – Merge into the Network]
• Cure uploaded
• Root erased
• Harem bonds preserved
• Liam's body sacrificed
• Soul becomes Guardian of the Boundary
The fragments burst into light.
They didn't just glow — they sang.
Each one emitted a different harmony.
Lyra stepped forward, touching Fragment 1.
Ava, Fragment 2.
Artemis, 3.
Vira, 4.
Echo, Maya, Naomi, Junia, Ember, Lily — each one linked to a piece of the whole.
Until Liam was surrounded in a halo of memories, love, sacrifice, and scars.
The System interface dissolved into his chest.
And then… it began.
[System Integration: Final Phase Initiated]
> Soul Pattern: Liam Voss – Valid
Linking Memory Web…
Anchoring Guardian Core…
Emotion Lock: Lifted
Biological Form: Dissolving in 3… 2… 1…
He didn't scream.
He accepted.
His flesh glowed, then broke apart like ashes in wind.
His last breath carried Lyra's name.
His final heartbeat echoed every kiss, every fight, every risk, every bond.
And then…
There was only light.
In the sky above Sanctuary Thirteen, the clouds tore open.
Not with lightning.
But with silence.
The Root across the world died.
Like threads being burned away.
Zombies dropped to their knees and melted into soil.
The black vines crumbled.
The curse shattered.
And the sun rose.
For the first time in years—
Clear.
The girls stood together, looking into the now-quiet terminal.
Nothing remained of Liam's body.
But his presence…
It was everywhere.
Ava wept. Openly.
Artemis stared blankly. "He really did it..."
Vira whispered, "That idiot. That beautiful, stupid idiot."
Lyra? She didn't cry.
She just smiled.
And said,
> "He's still here."
[System Offline – Terminal Disconnected]
> World stabilized
Root destroyed
Harem bonds active
Access point to Boundary Realm now guarded
by:
The Gardener
In the realm between worlds — where dreams bleed into nightmares — a single tree now grows.
White roots.
Golden leaves.
And seated beneath it…
A boy with fire in his eyes, and a system crown of light in his hands.
Waiting.
Watching.
Protecting.
Forever.