The mysterious figure turned toward the Guardians of the Spiral Tree—Nihilith, Yggdrasil, and Xir'vanta—his voice calm yet carrying the weight of ages.
"If I say the Third Gen Origin still exists... what will you do?"
Xir'vanta narrowed his glowing eyes. "Then show us."
Steve stepped forward, his tone absolute.
"The Third Gen Origin—its pillars are intact."
"The Pillars:"
— Silver King
— Eleanor
— Monarchs
— Overlords
— Primordial Gods
"And the Spirit Beasts:"
— Titans
— Giants
— Mythos Gods
The guardians froze—utterly stunned. The resonance of those names echoed through the void.
Steve continued, smiling faintly.
"I hope that proves my point. Now, let this boy enter the Vast Expansion."
Nihilith growled, voice laced with fury.
"That does not make sense. If he goes, he will break the structure—"
Steve interrupted with laughter.
"He will not do it if you permit him."
Yggdrasil stepped forward.
"How are you so sure?"
Steve turned to him, his gaze unwavering.
"Because I came from the past. I know how everything unfolds."
Shock rippled across their forms. Yggdrasil demanded,
"Prove it."
Steve stepped closer.
"You dare speak to me like this? You are—nothing but a consciousness bound by the Tree?"
Then he added softly,
"Very well. I came from Valhalla."
Silence. Then slow nods.
Xir'vanta bowed his head.
"Then we require no further proof."
Yggdrasil, voice heavy with ancient pain, said,
"This Spiral Tree... is our last property, our last pride. We can't rest until it is safe."
Steve nodded.
"I assure you—Jin will not act recklessly."
Yggdrasil turned to Jin.
"Then we permit your passage, and we request only one thing— Protect the structure."
Jin nodded.
They vanished.
Jin turned to the mysterious figure.
"Who are you… really?"
The figure smiled faintly.
"One day… you will understand."
He continued, voice darkening.
"Nyreth has become a true Elder God now. You don't have enough power to face him."
Suddenly, a radiant light pierced the space. A gentle voice followed—
"Yes, he does."
Two small figures descended in the light.
Jin gasped.
"Daemon… Eirlys…?"
He ran to them, embracing them tightly.
"How… how are you here?"
Their forms began to glow, shifting.
Daemon transformed into Asura.
Eirlys transformed into Nirvana.
Memories flooded Jin's mind—the accident, the mysterious recovery, the impossible hope.
Asura spoke softly.
"We fulfilled our promise, Father. As you did."
Nirvana smiled.
"You gave us purpose. Now it's our turn."
They talked—about life, love, sacrifice, and peace. It was bittersweet—filled with laughter and tears.
Eventually, their forms began to fade.
Jin gasped,
"You… You are…!"
Asura smiled,
"Yes, Father. We fulfilled our promise… just as you did."
Nirvana added gently,
"We were always with you, even in spirit."
Jin clutched them.
"I failed you… I couldn't protect—"
Asura interrupted,
"You never failed. You gave us love, hope, purpose."
Nirvana placed a hand on his chest.
"Now it's our turn to give something back."
Asura placed his hand on Jin's face.
"This is our blessing. Our farewell."
Jin's voice cracked.
"Please don't go… not again."
Asura replied,
"We're not dying. We fulfilled our purpose. Now… we'll be reborn. As your and Mom's child."
Nirvana added,
"But this time… we won't remember. We won't have powers. Will you still love us, Father?"
Jin's tears streamed down.
"Yes… always. I will find you every lifetime."
They vanished—peacefully.
The mysterious man placed a hand on Jin's shoulder.
"When good souls fulfill their purpose, they choose one of two fates—Supreme Liberation… or Supreme Walking."
He then looked directly at Jin.
"But remember what Nihilith, Yggdrasil, and Xir'vanta said. Do not let vengeance consume you."
Then, he summoned the five vanished thrones' essence. They flowed like divine rivers and merged into Jin.
The man smiled.
Jin knelt, looking up.
"Did my family… my friends… and Eleanor reach Supreme Liberation?"
The man's voice echoed again.
"Let the Cloud of Revelation answer."
A divine cloud materialized. It resonated, showing Jin visions:
— His parents, Eva and Han Jin Hyuk, lived peacefully.
— Lillian and Chris were married.
— Arden became a firefighter.
— Kaelros and Lysander lived with their families.
— Rin painted beautiful murals.
— Athena taught children.
— Erebus and Nyx lived with the Primordials—excluding Gaia.
— Kaelis and Orion served Aurelion, who lived joyfully with Selira.
— Aurelia and Zhel-Vorah lived happily with their son Lucias.
— Xavier and Solmiras still argued endlessly.
But…
There was no sign of Eleanor.
Jin collapsed to his knees, eyes wide with dread.
"Why…? Where is she?"
The man placed his palm gently over his face.
His thoughts were disappointment.
"When he gets emotional over loved ones… he's easiest to manipulate."
He suddenly punched Jin in the head.
Jin flinched.
"What—why?"
The man replied,
"I told you. When souls fulfill their purpose, they choose Liberation… or Rebirth."
He smiled gently.
"Eleanor chose rebirth."
Jin's eyes widened—then he smiled. Tears of joy.
Steve finished showing the memory to Yomon.
Yomon looked pale. Silent. Ashamed.
Steve narrowed his eyes.
"You're not happy, are you?"
Yomon stammered. "W-what do you mean?"
Steve stepped forward. His tone turned sharp.
"Don't you want to know… who the old man was?"
Yomon's eyes widened.
Steve drew his sword—and stabbed him.
"The old man… was YOU."
Yomon gasped.
"No… that's not—"
Steve's eyes blazed with fury.
"You destroyed Eleanor's soul using the Tear of Fate. Before she could choose rebirth."
Yomon's face twisted in despair.
Steve didn't wait. He pulled the blade back.
"I won't take that risk again."
He beheaded Yomon with one swift stroke.
As Yomon's head fell, he muttered in his dying breath,
"Even gods… fall to love…"
Then, without a word, he opened a portal and walked through—leaving silence and blood behind.