The final crimson chain cracked.
For one breathless moment...
Everything became silent.
Then—
CRASH!
The last chain shattered into thousands of crimson fragments that dissolved into pure light.
Arion gasped as the crystal prison surrounding him exploded.
After ten thousand years...
He was free.
He fell forward.
Kael caught him before he could hit the ground.
"You made it," Kael said with a tired smile.
Arion looked at his own hands, almost unable to believe they were no longer bound.
"I... I'm free."
A tear rolled down his cheek.
"I thought I'd die in that prison."
Outside, the Harbinger froze completely.
The crimson glow that had consumed its body faded.
Blue light spread across its armor like rivers of starlight.
Its countless weapons slowly powered down.
Across the battlefield, every Guardian watched in disbelief.
"It's stopping!" Lyra shouted.
Crystal dragons circled cautiously overhead.
The Harbinger slowly lowered itself to one knee before the capital.
Its enormous head bowed.
Not in defeat...
But in respect.
A deep voice echoed across the First World.
"Pilot... restored."
"Control... transferred."
Inside the Harbinger, Arion looked toward the heart of the chamber.
A brilliant blue Core floated in the air.
It pulsed gently, waiting.
"The Harbinger recognizes me again," Arion whispered.
Aetherion smiled.
"It has been waiting for its true master."
Arion stepped toward the Core.
As he placed his hand upon it, blue light surged throughout the colossal machine.
The damaged armor repaired itself.
The cracks vanished.
But the crimson corruption did not return.
The Harbinger had been reborn.
Far away, aboard the Void Citadel...
Warning alarms echoed through every corridor.
Veyrath slammed his fist against the command console.
"Impossible!"
"Ten thousand years of preparation..."
"Wasted!"
His generals stood in silence.
None dared speak.
Back on the First World, Kael and Arion opened their eyes together.
Their connection had not disappeared.
Instead...
It had grown stronger.
Arion smiled.
"The Harbinger no longer belongs to the Devourers."
He looked at Kael.
"If you'll have me..."
"I'll fight beside you."
Kael extended his hand.
"Welcome to the alliance."
Arion grasped it firmly.
Above them, the Harbinger rose once more.
This time...
Its eyes shone brilliant blue.
The Guardians erupted into cheers.
The impossible had happened.
The enemy's greatest weapon...
Had become humanity's greatest shield.
But in the darkness beyond the stars...
A faint crimson light flickered inside the Void Citadel.
Something older than the Harbinger slowly opened its eyes.
A low voice echoed through the abyss.
"So..."
"The game has finally become interesting."