The battlefield stood still, as though the world itself watched.
Elyria held Nightcleaver in both hands, its blade glowing with twin flames—her golden light and Kaito's soul-forged power fused as one.
The Veil Lord recoiled, darkness rippling violently. "Impossible… that blade is bound to him!"
"And I am bound to him," Elyria replied, voice like thunder. "By blood, memory, and choice."
Kaito stirred behind her, slowly rising, though the wound in his chest burned with shadow. Riven ran to support him, wide-eyed.
"She's not corrupted anymore," Riven said.
"No," Kaito whispered, awe in his tone. "She's free."
The Veil Lord stretched out both hands, summoning an eclipse above. Shadows twisted into wings behind him, and a blade of pure void formed in his grasp.
"This world chose weakness," he snarled. "You—chose pain. I offer order. Peace without emotion."
"You offer emptiness," Elyria said, stepping forward.
Kaito limped beside her.
They stood together, blades raised.
As the eclipse began to collapse into a beam of annihilation, Elyria and Kaito rushed forward. Nightcleaver split into twin forms—one half burning red in Kaito's grip, the other golden in hers.
They weaved through the storm like fire and lightning.
The Veil Lord met them mid-air. Their blades clashed with his, and a shockwave flattened the mountain below.
Kaito slashed downward—his flame cleaving through shadow. Elyria followed with a spinning arc that cracked the void blade.
The Veil Lord shrieked.
"You dare—!"
"We remember who we are!" they roared in unison.
Kaito channeled the memories of his fallen comrades—their faith, their sacrifice. Elyria summoned the love she had buried, and the strength she had reclaimed.
Together, they struck.
Nightcleaver rejoined in midair, one blade, one soul, wielded as one.
They drove it through the Veil Lord's core.
His body imploded in silence, swallowed by a vortex of collapsing darkness.
The eclipse vanished.
The sun returned.
The war… was over.
Later, beneath the same mango tree where it all began, Kaito sat beside Elyria. Birds chirped. The air was warm. Peace had returned.
She rested her head on his shoulder.
"What now?" she asked.
"We build," he replied. "A new world. One with balance. With us."
She smiled. "Then let's do it… together."
And for once, the sword rested in the earth, not for war—but for hope.