Without any grand surge of Mana or dramatic display, the rift in spacetime—the cavern that connected to this realm—closed in an instant, as if it possessed a will of its own.
Chaos was shut out of the universe before he could even react.
The nearly burning sky rippled once, like the surface of water, then settled back into stillness. What remained in the sight of every witness was nothing but the vast, beautiful, endless starry sky.
"Ah… ahh…"
Melusine's eyes widened in shock, incoherent sounds spilling from her lips.
Chaos was gone.
The breach that had torn through the universe's barrier and reached this side of spacetime had completely closed.
"It was only by relying on Zeus's existence that it confirmed this universe and made contact with this side. Now that Zeus has vanished entirely, Chaos can no longer locate this universe. It has been sealed away forever beyond the far end of spacetime."
Goetia watched the outcome and murmured in a voice only he could hear, "You truly have a talent for thwarting me. Time and again, you offered yourself to the world without hesitation. Whether as a god or a savior, you never failed to live up to that name. This time, the victory is yours as well…"
No one heard him.
Having achieved his purpose in appearing here, Goetia gave Shiomi a faint word of praise before disappearing from the Lostbelt.
Maintaining the path to Chaos was an immense burden for any Grand Servant. He was no exception.
Silence fell.
The Orbital Grand Temple of Dodona sank into complete quiet.
The Chaldea group had once again witnessed a "miracle," yet there was nothing they could do. They could only watch as that figure walked ahead alone once more, until no trace of him could be found.
Inside the Palace of Departure, the Knights of the Round Table collectively dropped to one knee. Mandricardo followed their lead.
At the center of their circle, Morgan knelt on the ground, bracing herself with her magic spear as she wept uncontrollably. Beside her, Scáthach clenched her teeth, forcing back her tears with all her strength.
The same scene played out aboard Storm Border.
Without discussion, as if by unspoken agreement, they mourned in this way.
For the one who had not died, yet could never return.
Kirschtaria stared up at the Fantasy Tree overhead, powerless. He had witnessed that moment as well.
It was a choice beyond human understanding. Even with a way to preserve himself, he had still chosen the harsher path without hesitation—for the sake of more people.
He wanted to say something, but he knew this was a time for mourning.
As he pushed himself upright, Kirschtaria glanced at Peperoncino and Hinako, who were slumped against the palace pillars.
They were still unconscious.
He wondered what they would think when they woke and learned what had happened.
No one kept track of how long the mourning lasted.
At last, Morgan wiped away her tears and slowly rose to her feet. Her voice was hoarse as she spoke.
"We still have unfinished business… Next, we prepare to excise the Fantasy Tree. But before that, it's about time you showed yourself. Do you really think we hadn't noticed you hiding in the shadows this whole time, Alien Apostle?"
Behind her came the sound of armor shifting as the Knights of the Round Table stood, ready to guard Morgan as she carried out what remained to be done.
"How perceptive. As expected of the former King of the Lostbelt. My apologies, but I cannot allow you to cut down the Fantasy Tree here."
As if in answer to Morgan's words, Kirei Kotomine and Ashiya Douman stepped out from the darkness.
With them were the other Alien Apostles who had yet to reveal themselves.
...
There was no sense of time, no sense of space.
It felt like something that had just happened—and yet like something from ages ago.
Was he floating, or standing on solid ground? Shiomi could no longer tell.
The only thing he knew for certain was that he had succeeded.
In the name of 'Tehom,' he had become a new 'Abyss,' severing the path between Chaos and this universe and sealing that rift shut.
The planet was no longer in danger.
He could hear nothing. He could see nothing.
What awaited him now was likely nothing but an endless sleep.
Perhaps… perhaps one day in the distant future, those who possessed limitless time would reach this place, and they would meet again.
All he could do was wait.
And yet, though he felt no regret for his choice, a trace of reluctance still lingered in his heart.
Loneliness. Stillness. The confusion of being utterly alone.
In this place without time or space, he wrapped his arms around himself and curled into a small, silent ball.
"The journey is far from over, my child. How could you stop here?"
His mother's voice.
The voice of the Goddess Tiamat echoed out of nowhere.
Thinking it was nothing more than a hallucination born from overwhelming loneliness, Shiomi replied softly, "This was the only way I could think of. Even if it's foolish, even if Mother would scold me for it, I—"
"It is not foolish. You chose to stand as a god. That is a noble choice. As your mother, I cannot help but praise such a good child."
Shiomi's eyes flew open in shock, turning toward what seemed to be a glimmer of light.
This was no illusion.
For reasons unknown, the Goddess Tiamat had come here. She stood at a distance that felt impossibly far, yet close enough to touch, her hand extended toward him.
"No… If I leave this place—" Shiomi shook his head.
"The universe has already closed. Chaos can no longer interfere," Tiamat said gently. "You simply have no way to leave."
Shiomi hesitated, then reached out and took her hand.
"Why are you here? You are the Earth Goddess… How did you come to this distant sky?"
"When a mother sees her child in trouble, she grows anxious and wants to help," Tiamat replied softly. "But there was nothing I could do. Even if I returned to this side of the world, it would have been the same."
"Then how—"
"I was anxious. So very anxious. And then, all of a sudden, I saw you."
It was clear that even Tiamat did not fully understand what had happened.
But she knew why she was here, and what she needed to do.
"I really am… causing Mother trouble again and again. At this rate, I'll never truly grow out of childhood."
Shiomi lowered his head, ashamed.
"No matter what kind of child you are, Mother will always love you."
Holding his hand, she pointed toward a light shining within the void.
"It's time to go back. Everyone is waiting for you."
"…Thank you, Mother."
Following Tiamat's guidance, his vision was swallowed by light.
When he could see again, his mother was gone.
And he found himself standing within the vast expanse of the starry sky.
The azure planet and the luxuriant Fantasy Tree had shrunk to no more than tiny points of light.
Far away, yet not unreachable.
After confirming where he was, Shiomi steadied himself once more.