---
The forest held its breath.
Ash drifted in lazy spirals through the still air, glittering faintly in the light that seeped from the cracked sky above. The soil of blackened iron still trembled faintly from the battle, fissures glowing faintly red before fading.
Light stood at the center of the silence, storm-grey eyes calm. His greatsword had dissolved into sparks minutes ago, yet the weight of its presence lingered. He breathed steadily, shoulders squared, blood still trickling down his side—but he did not kneel.
He lifted his hand, brushed the streak of blood from his jaw with his thumb, and exhaled sharply through his nose. Around him, the shard world looked broken. But his stance was firm, unwavering, like a lone tower in a storm.
Beside him, Feratinnia sagged against a fractured root of steel, silver hair falling like a veil around her face. Her lungs burned with every breath. She could feel his pain, his exhaustion—yet he stood as though untouched.
Her galaxy-blue eyes trembled. He bleeds, he hurts, but he stands. Like this was never a trial to him…
Light finally glanced her way, storm-grey gaze cool, almost bored. His lips tugged into the faintest smirk.
"If that was their best hunter," he said, tone dry, "we still have breathing room."
Feratinnia blinked, stunned by his nonchalance. She tried to rise but faltered, knees buckling.
Light stepped forward without hesitation, extended a hand. His movements were effortless, natural, not the gesture of someone offering comfort—but of someone simply expecting her to take it.
She grasped it, and his grip was firm, steady. The Bond pulsed faintly between them, warmth spreading into her trembling fingers. For a moment, she felt anchored—like the ground itself couldn't shift while his hand held hers.
Her lips parted, whisper breaking. "Why… why do you act like it's nothing? You nearly—"
Light cut her off, storm-grey eyes meeting hers with a calm that was almost sharp.
"Don't force yourself to carry it all. If I fall, I'll get back up on my own. Understood?"
Her heart clenched. Anger mixed with awe in her chest. She wanted to argue—because through the Bond, she knew his words were a lie. If he bled, she bled too. If he fell, she would fall with him.
But the way he looked at her, steady, confident… she swallowed her protest.
He doesn't just stand. He makes the world believe he cannot fall.
---
The obelisk pulsed again, light traveling down its length into the soil. The resonance was louder now, like the steady toll of a bell. The air vibrated with low hums, metallic and ancient.
Light approached it, steps calm and deliberate. The pendant against his chest burned warm, but he didn't flinch. He placed his palm against the surface, not with reverence, but with quiet authority.
The obelisk blazed.
Resonance rippled outward in concentric waves. The ground glowed with runes, the air thickened with the scent of heated iron and ozone.
Feratinnia's breath hitched. It's choosing him… instantly.
She remembered her father, a Keeper, who had once collapsed in front of such an obelisk, weeping as the shard rejected him. But Light stood there, calm as though the world itself bowed to him.
Not a supplicant… a master.
---
The obelisk's glow sharpened. Light's storm-grey eyes flickered as a vision seized him.
A city burning. Towers crumbling. A man standing alone amidst the flames, wielding a sword of radiant light. His face blurred, but his aura… familiar.
A voice whispered through the resonance:
"Don't just survive. Command the worlds."
Light's lips tugged into the faintest smirk.
"…Sounds like something I'd do."
Feratinnia trembled, watching the faint smile cross his lips. He's not afraid of visions. He embraces them.
---
The obelisk shuddered, then calmed. Its light condensed into a ring of liquid silver suspended in the air. The portal hummed softly, rippling like a mirror disturbed by a stone. The smell of raw energy filled the clearing, sharp and electric.
Feratinnia's breath quickened. Her chest tightened as memories clawed up her spine—every shard she'd crossed until now had taken something from her. Each portal had been another descent into despair.
Her knees weakened, but before fear overtook her, Light's voice cut through. Calm, sharp, commanding.
"We step through, or we watch this world collapse. The choice is clear."
He didn't look at her when he said it. He didn't need to. His voice alone was enough.
Her heart trembled. He's not just saving me. He's leading me.
---
Light extended his hand again, storm-grey gaze calm, expectant. He didn't offer it gently—he held it as though he already knew she would take it.
Feratinnia stared for a breath. Then her fingers slipped into his. The Bond pulsed warm, steadier than it had been since the battle.
He smirked faintly, his voice low and cool.
"Let's see which world breaks next."
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, pulling her with him. The portal rippled, swallowing them both in light.
---
Behind them, the shard of iron groaned. The sky cracked wider, trees of steel shattered, the land dissolving into nothing.
Feratinnia glanced back one last time, heart tight. If he hadn't come, I'd have died here. But why do I feel… he isn't just surviving these worlds. He's above them.
Her grip on his hand tightened as the light consumed them.
Light's storm-grey eyes narrowed, his thoughts cold and sharp. If I'm Infinity… then the multiverse will learn I am no prey. I am the one who decides.
The portal closed.
And the next world awaited.
---