With Ythogtha's magnificent final explosion, the dark clouds in the sky completely dispersed. The remaining white Yugg larvae all dove back into the ocean.
Most of the Yugg, however, had already been swallowed by the Zoga swarm, allowing many small Zoigers to evolve into mature forms.
Even those Yugg that had escaped into the ocean were relentlessly pursued by the Zoigers under Camearra's command.
It's worth noting that Zoigers can not only fly into the sky but also survive underwater. The first time the Victory Team discovered Zoigers was in the ocean.
The clouds parted, yet no sun appeared. After such a long battle, it was already late at night.
Apart from the artificial sun, which had been drained of energy by Dyna, glowing faintly in the sky, only a full moon hung overhead.
The once-turbulent sea calmed, reflecting the moonlight with gentle ripples.
The seven Light Giants hovered in the air, gazing at the starry sky, then gradually dispersed into particles of light, drifting away with the sea breeze.
People around the world, watching the victory broadcast, cheered exuberantly.
For a moment, it felt as if humanity had crossed another century.
On the R'lyeh beach, the glow around Yu Zhou and the others slowly faded.
The Victory Team stopped there, while the Super Victory Team returned the artificial sun to Jupiter, leaving the scene.
"Daigo!"
In a familiar scene, Rena tossed her Victory Team helmet onto the sand and leapt into Daigo's arms.
The two embraced tightly.
"Why does this feel like something I've seen before?"
Shinjo, sent back to the beach by Charija's Zoigers after the battle, watched. Seeing Rena dive into Daigo's arms, besides the obvious display of "lovey-dovey" moments, he couldn't shake the sense of déjà vu.
Horii also froze for a moment, then glanced at Yu Zhou, readying a defensive stance.
In the past, Yu Zhou had jokingly grabbed Horii, hugging him.
"Ah… I thought I'd be a bit hungry after fighting so long, but now I'm full," Yu Zhou said, hands on his hips, shaking his head.
Suddenly, a fragrant breeze enveloped him, and he felt a strong embrace.
"Ca… Camearra…"
Yu Zhou froze, and so did the Victory Team.
Everyone knew Camearra's husband was Tiga from thirty million years ago.
But now… could it be that Yu Zhou somehow "cheated" on Tiga?
No.
Yu Zhou is Tiga. So… he's being unfaithful to himself?
That didn't make sense either.
Daigo is also Tiga, so… was he cheated on too?
Even more absurd.
"Could it be… Yu Zhou is the real Tiga himself?"
Horii's mind formed a daring guess, though it seemed unlikely.
Daigo uses Tiga's body, while Yu Zhou is Tiga from a parallel world. There's no way he could be the ancient giant from thirty million years ago.
"Looks like Yu Zhou did end up 'cheating' on Tiga," Horii muttered, scratching his chin. It seemed the only plausible explanation.
"Hey, Horii, what are you thinking? We should go!"
Shinjo tapped Horii on the head and whispered.
"Ah? Oh!"
Horii snapped out of it and noticed everyone starting to leave, turning toward the distant beach.
Even Daigo and Rena, the old couple, stepped away, giving Yu Zhou and Camearra privacy.
"Let's go, young ones."
Hudra patted Dyna's shoulder and, together with Darramb, left the scene.
"Isn't it normal for the seniors to show some affection?"
Dyna mumbled, slightly confused, as they walked away. In his mind, Yu Zhou and Camearra were already a legitimate couple.
Camearra continued to hold Yu Zhou tightly, silent.
Yu Zhou raised his hands, unsure where to place them.
He wanted to pull away, but didn't.
He wanted to refuse, but couldn't.
It was like two little voices quarrelling in his head:
"You can't touch her! She's Tiga's wife!"
"Why not? She likes me!"
"You can't do this! You're not from the same world!"
"The little girl in the red dress said I could take someone back to my world!"
"Even if you take her back, how do you deal with her identity? Her life?"
"I…"
"How can you face the real Tiga afterward?"
"Then I won't see him!"
"You can hide for a while, but forever?"
"You…"
"You what? Without Tiga's power, you're nothing!"
"Damn it…"
"Damn it? Have I not made myself clear?"
"You have no chance with her!"
"Heh… no chance? I don't understand."
Yu Zhou closed his eyes, his mind torn.
Finally, those aimless hands slowly rested on Camearra's back.
Feeling the warmth, Camearra's eyes widened. She could hardly believe it, yet was overjoyed.
Thirty million years had passed, yet the warmth of that hand was unchanged. The same as before.
"Camearra."
Yu Zhou exhaled and wrapped his arms tightly around her, feeling the shared warmth, closing his eyes.
"Why did you push me away?"
Camearra's voice trembled, tinged with grievance, tears glimmering in her eyes.
"Why?"
"Because…"
"Because I want you to live."
Yu Zhou hadn't expected the question, yet smiled as he answered.
"Thirty million years ago, you left me. Now, are you trying to push me away again?"
"Do you know how desperate I felt the moment you pushed me away?"
"That feeling… it was suffocating."
Camearra choked back sobs. It was her first tears in thirty million years—the last time she cried had been countless centuries ago.
"I'm sorry."
Holding Camearra tightly, Yu Zhou didn't know what else to say. These three words felt insufficient, yet he spoke them anyway.
Sometimes, Yu Zhou thought, he truly reached a certain state of being.
From Camearra's words, he realized she still saw him as the Tiga of thirty million years ago.
But now, it no longer mattered.
Camearra would sacrifice her life for him.
Just this alone made Yu Zhou question whether he even needed to worry about his own identity.
"Who am I? Why… am I Tiga?"
Yet such questions were inappropriate for the moment, and Yu Zhou did not dwell on them.
Once he had made his choice, there was no turning back.
From the moment he let go of his hands, he could only move forward.