The sky of the Null Expanse tore open.
Golden cracks spread across the void like molten veins, ripping through Shiki's realm.
Cid shielded his eyes.
"What is that thing!?"
Shiki's expression turned cold deathly cold.
"A Celestial Executioner. A divine weapon born only to erase anomalies like us."
A massive silhouette descended from the glow.
It wasn't a person.
It was a construct a towering knight of pure celestial metal, faceless, holding a sword made from crystallized commandments.
Every swing rewrote the laws around it.
Shiki stepped in front of Cid.
"Stay behind me."
Cid shook his head.
"No chance. We fight together."
For the first time, Shiki's mask cracked.
"Cid these things erase gods. They erase worlds."
"Okay Cid replied simply. "Then we won't let it touch us."
Shiki stared.
Why do you trust me so easily.
"Because you trust me."
Her heart fluttered again.
This boy was going to kill her… emotionally.
The construct raised its blade.
A single swing.
A simple motion.
But it wasn't aimed at them.
It was aimed at the entire realm.
A slash capable of erasing the Null Expanse in one blow.
Cid grabbed Shiki's arm.
"Let me try something."
Before she could argue, he stepped forward.
Shiki reached out to stop him.
Too late.
The Executioner's world-erasing slash hit Cid directly.
The blow should have vaporized him.
Should have erased his soul from every timeline.
Should have reduced him to an unmade thought.
Instead
Cid stood unharmed.
The golden slash broke across his body like water hitting stone.
The Executioner froze, confused.
Shiki's eyes went wide.
Cid what are you.
Cid looked at his hands.
Something new burned beneath his skin a soft dark glow, like a tiny universe swirling inside him.
"I don't know," he said honestly.
"But I feel… stronger."
His aura burst outward.
Black stars.
Silver threads of fate snapping.
Void winds spiraling around him in a protective storm.
Shiki took a step closer, unable to help herself.
"You you awakened an anti-divinity field. You nullified a god slaying slash with your mere existence."
Cid shrugged.
"Feels natural."
Shiki whispered, almost trembling:
"You are the one thing the gods cannot rewrite
The Executioner roared, forming three more blades of divine law.
Cid cracked his knuckles.
"Alright my turn."
He vanished.
Not teleported.
Not moved.
He simply ignored the distance between himself and the construct.
One instant far away.
Next instant in front of its face.
Cid punched.
Just one punch.
The golden armor shattered.
The void trembled.
Celestial laws buckled.
Shiki watched with wide eyes.
"This boy his physical strength alone is on par with a newborn Outer God.
Cid continued the assault, each strike warping reality like it was soft clay.
The construct swung its divine swords.
Cid caught all three with one hand.
"No more attacking my friend."
Friend.
The word made Shiki's heart skip.
Cid crushed the swords.
Crystals of divine law scattered like broken glass.
Then he ended it.
With one blow.
A straight punch to the core.
The Executioner shattered into radiant dust.
Gone.
Erased.
Defeated by a boy who didn't even know what he was.
Cid stretched.
"That was fun."
Shiki approached him slowly, her void aura returning to calm.
"Cid… that was not a normal victory. You destroyed a god forged executioner with brute force."
Cid scratched his cheek.
"Guess I'm overpowered?"
Shiki stared at him in silence, then whispered:
"You are dangerous, Cid. Even to the gods themselves."
He smiled softly.
"Good. Then I can protect you."
She froze.
Her breath caught.
Something warm and terrifying filled her chest.
Don't say things like that so casually," she murmured, looking away.
Cid tilted his head.
"Why not?"
"Because
Her voice weakened something unthinkable for the Void Princess.
you'll make me fall for you even faster."
Cid blinked, face turning red.
"Wwait faster?! You mean.
Shiki placed a finger gently on his lips.
"No more questions. Not yet."
Her cheeks were faintly pink.
Her void aura flickered softly, not violently.
"Come," she said quietly.
"The gods won't stop here. But as long as we stay together… they cannot win."
Cid nodded.
Shiki extended her hand.
Cid took it.
Their fingers intertwined light and void, impossible and unstoppable.
Together.