The One Above All Listens
Beyond all structure, beyond all concepts—
The One Above All listened.
Eternity and the Living Tribunal stood before Him, recounting everything.
The war across the Nine Realms.
The manipulation from the shadows.
The rise of a name feared across the universe.
Phoenix Monarch.
They spoke of Alexander's restraint.
Of his efficiency.
Of the moment Oblivion recoiled beneath Absolute Dominion.
TOAA laughed softly.
"…I know," He said.
Eternity paused.
"You expected this?"
TOAA nodded, amused.
"Oblivion believed pushing Alexander into chaos would make him lose himself," TOAA said.
"He thought power would corrupt restraint."
The Living Tribunal spoke.
"That outcome did not occur."
TOAA smiled.
"Because Alexander is not chasing purpose anymore," He said.
"He already found it."
Eternity nodded slowly.
"Oblivion will not stop," Eternity warned.
"He will attempt a new plan."
"I know," TOAA replied calmly.
Eternity and the Tribunal bowed.
And departed.
An Old Friend's Thoughts
Left alone—
TOAA gazed into the weave of existence.
He saw Alexander laughing with Thor.
Walking beneath the World Tree.
Sharing quiet moments with those he loved.
"…What will you do next, old friend?" TOAA murmured.
There was no answer.
Only choice.
And time.
Meanwhile — As If Nothing Happened
Alexander returned to Ashborn Dimension.
No fanfare.
No announcement.
He removed his cloak and set it aside.
"…Finally," he muttered.
Ciel floated beside him.
"War concluded successfully.
Cosmic hostility reduced to acceptable thresholds."
Alexander stretched.
"Good. What's for dinner?"
Peace, the Way He Wanted It
He spent his days simply.
Training lightly.
Reading magic books he hadn't finished.
Planting new trees near the river.
Thor complained loudly about losing relevance.
Loki studied magic obsessively.
Frigga visited often.
Odin watched from afar, satisfied.
Infinity observed from the stars, smiling.
Death sat quietly nearby sometimes, saying nothing.
Hela prepared her confession, heart racing.
And Alexander—
Alexander lived.
Not as a monarch.
Not as a symbol.
But as a man who finally chose rest.
The Phoenix burned quietly within him.
Not to destroy.
Not to rule.
But to protect this peace—
For as long as it lasted.