The shattered remains of the Golden Sanctuary floated silently through the endless expanse of space.
Broken pillars drifted like forgotten monuments, fragments of golden stone slowly rotating through the void. The platform that had once symbolized Ra's authority had been reduced to ruins.
At its center… Ra lay buried beneath the rubble. Golden blood stained the cracked marble beneath him. For several long moments, he remained motionless. Then his body began to regenerate. Flesh knitted together. Bones reformed.
The dents across his body disappeared as if they had never existed.
Ra slowly raised a hand and covered his face before laughter escaped between his fingers.
"Hahaha…"
A golden portal silently opened nearby.
Elegant light poured from within as a woman stepped through.
She possessed long dark hair that flowed behind her like silk, piercing amber eyes, and an aura of calm authority. Every movement carried effortless elegance.
Ra glanced toward her without standing.
"What do you want, Cecil?"
He slowly sat upright, brushing pieces of broken stone from his shoulders.
"Have you come to laugh at me?"
Cecil looked down at him without the slightest change in expression.
"In your dreams, Ra. I wouldn't care even if you died."
Ra finally rose to his feet.
His expression returned to its usual composed smile despite the humiliation he had just suffered.
"Tell the Great Ones…that the Concept of Origin worked."
Cecil nodded once.
"The Great Ones already know. They watched everything. Since you survived a slightly angry Darkness."
Ra chuckled quietly.
"My goal wasn't to fight back. After all, I would've still lost. But not so badly."
Cecil turned slightly toward the portal.
"The Great Ones have ordered you to carry out the next phase of the plan immediately."
Ra folded his arms.
"I expected Amenadeil. Why has the messenger of the Great Ones changed to you?"
Cecil didn't even look back.
"I just do what I'm told. As for Amenadeil…The Great Ones have another mission prepared for him."
Without another word…She stepped through the portal. It closed behind her. Silence returned.
Ra narrowed his golden eyes.
"…Why are they giving a mission to Amenadeil?…Am I not enough?"
Far away…Within the Realm of the Constellations…Beyond countless dimensional layers… Lay one of its most sacred locations.
The Eleventh Zone.
Unlike the magnificent cities scattered throughout the realm, this place remained untouched by politics or conflict.
It was peaceful. Ancient. The air shimmered with pure immortal essence. At its center stood a colossal tree whose branches disappeared beyond the heavens themselves.
Its bark glowed with ancient runes. Its leaves radiated emerald light. Golden fruits hung from its branches like miniature suns.
This…Was the Tree of Immortal Fruit.
One of the surviving roots of the World Tree itself.
The fabric of reality suddenly tore open. A black crack spread through space before Darkness stepped out.
Rayon landed softly upon the translucent ground.
The moment he arrived…Dozens of guardians appeared around him. None of them drew their weapons. None of them attacked.
Instead…One elderly guardian stepped forward respectfully.
"Darkness…We seek no trouble with you. As you can see…We are not associated with the outside world."
Rayon looked around calmly before nodding once.
"I know…I didn't come here with the intent to kill or destroy."
Before anyone could reply A deep voice echoed throughout the entire sanctuary.
"Let him pass."
The guardians immediately stepped aside.
The enormous tree trembled gently. Then…Something moved around its trunk. Massive black scales reflected the emerald light.
A gigantic dragon slowly uncoiled itself from around the World Tree before descending to the ground.
Its crimson slit eyes settled upon Rayon. The dragon lowered its massive head respectfully.
"I am pleased to meet you…Dark Emperor."
Rayon looked at the dragon for a long moment.
"I only came to the Tree of Immortal Fruit once. At that time…You weren't its guardian. So how do you know that name?"
The dragon remained respectfully bowed.
Before it could answer Rayon's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh…So you're the descendant of that brat Veldama."
The dragon smiled faintly.
"I am Velandrak and that is correct."
Rayon remained silent for several seconds.
"I see…"
After a brief pause, he spoke again.
"I came for an Immortal Fruit."
For the first time…Velandrak's expression softened.
"So it's true…About Kalethara?"
Without hesitation, the dragon reached toward one of the glowing branches.
Two golden fruits descended into his claws. He gently offered both of them to Rayon.
Rayon accepted them before looking back at the dragon.
"One will suffice."
Velandrak shook his massive head.
"Hold on to the second one. Perhaps one day…You'll need it. Consider it my gratitude…For the relationship my ancestors shared with you."
A faint smile appeared on Rayon's face.
"Fine. Even though you're trapped within this filthy dimension…You still possess the heart of your ancestors."
He turned toward the torn fabric of space.
Before leaving…He spoke one final sentence.
"When you're in a pinch and you're in need of help…Call my name and I will appear."
With a single motion…Rayon tore apart reality using nothing but his bare hands. The dimensional wall shattered like fragile glass.
Darkness swallowed him. Moments later…High above Tiamat…Another tear opened through space. Rayon stepped into the upper skies overlooking Mount Eden.
Without slowing his pace…He vanished once more.
Inside the cold cave…Kalethara's body remained peacefully within the ancient stone coffin. Rayon approached quietly. He extended one hand. One of the Immortal Fruits floated gently from his palm.
Its golden radiance illuminated the entire cavern. He slowly helped Kalethara sit upright.
Crossing her legs into a meditative posture, he suspended the fruit directly before her chest. Rayon folded his arms.
"Come on, Kalethara. It's your time. Absorb it."
Within her consciousness…The endless forest remained exactly as before.
Kalethara sat beneath the ancient tree atop the mountain.
The Immortal Fruit's divine energy slowly entered her body.
Hour after hour passed. The immortal essence merged with the damaged fragments of her soul. Cracks disappeared.
Lost pieces returned. The wounds Ra had inflicted over countless years finally began to vanish.
Eventually…The Immortal Fruit dissolved completely.
Silence returned. Kalethara slowly opened her emerald eyes.
Across from her… Rayon sat calmly. One knee rested upward while the other leg remained relaxed beneath him.
He looked at her quietly.
"How does it feel…to be back?"
For several seconds…Kalethara simply stared at him.
Then She suddenly ran forward.
Without hesitation… She wrapped both arms around him.
Rayon blinked once. Although unusual for him… He didn't push her away.
Instead…He simply let her hold him. The tears came almost immediately.
"Thank you…"
Rayon smiled faintly.
"I would do this for you any time…Tia."
He gently placed one hand on top of her head. Almost like a father comforting his daughter.
His voice became softer than usual.
"It must've been rough…These past years."
The words completely broke whatever composure she had left.
Kalethara cried like a child. Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably. Rayon sighed.
"I didn't tell you that so you could cry."
She only cried harder. He looked at her for another moment before shaking his head with amusement.
"Not even Lucifer and Esdeath cry this loudly."
That finally made her laugh through her tears though she had never met the children of rayon.
Little by little…She calmed down. After a while…Rayon stood.
His gaze turned toward the endless horizon beyond her consciousness.
"It's time…I take back my artifacts."
Kalethara looked up at him.
Sadness lingered in her emerald eyes.
"So, You're planning to stand against the Great Ones…and the One of Many?"
Rayon nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah…but I won't have all the fun."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Light also wants a piece of them."
Kalethara smiled warmly.
"Okay."