[Aaaaa,AAAA･･･]
Beast II recoiled, overwhelmed by the sheer majesty of the presence. Using the Jupiter Authority, Marduk drew in the power of the gas giant itself, securing infinite momentum. He swung the massive axe—a weapon dozens of times his own size.
"Be rent asunder! This is our final gift to you from the Age of Gods!"
With a single swing, he completely severed her remaining wings, tail, and horns.
[Aaaaa,AAAA——!!]
The axe shattered from the impact. Undeterred, the Heroic God charged forward.
『—This is for the King, Gil-nanam!』 A right hook to the jaw.
『—This is for the Princess, Air-nanam!』 A left uppercut.
『—This is for the link between Heaven and Earth, and the name of that God is Dingir!!』
With a spinning kick, he sent the floating Tiamat flying toward the gate.
『HEROIC GOD MARDUK!! —GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!』
Gathering the authority of the Earth in his right hand and the Heavens in his left, he charged into her torso like a comet.
[!!!!!]
Beast II couldn't dodge. She couldn't defend. The pure energy of Marduk slammed into her stomach. She let out a choked groan, coughing up blood.
"It's too early for the end. I shall show you the face of this world."
In that moment, the Chains of Heaven stretched out from the gate, binding Beast II once more.
『Is it done?』
A graceful voice. Enkidu.
『I'll handle the descent. Go. Go to the place that belongs to you.』
"Hmph. Then, shall we go?"
Yes!
Air nodded. The dying Beast II was hurled upward, and Marduk used that momentum to propel them both beyond the atmosphere.
The Rainbow Gratitude
They flew higher and higher. Marduk and Tiamat pierced the clouds. Beast II no longer had the strength to resist; sensing her end, she allowed herself to be carried.
Marduk held her gently, without further harm. They left the atmosphere, trailing a wake of gold and emerald light, a red contrail marking their path into the eternal dark.
"—Go on, Mother."
Kingu watched from below.
"That was all I wanted to see. I decided to fight one more time... just for this."
Mother was always grieving. She never showed me this.
I believed that at the end of this fight, I could see it. What do you feel now, Mother? Surprise? That's fine. Wonder? That would be wonderful. Just... please, don't let it be sorrow.
You have grieved for long enough. You have suffered enough.
It's okay now, Mother.
You don't need to hate. You don't need to mourn. Even you are permitted to spend your time in peace. Because... you are a living thing, too.
There is no superior or inferior in life. If your children can laugh, then you...
"Surely a child's wish isn't too much to ask? Mother..." Kingu stared into the sky forever.
The Blue Marble
"Behold, Air."
The King and the Princess reached the summit.
"This is the face of the planet that is my garden. The world where we have taken root... the world you desired."
Air was speechless. The azure of the oceans, the white of the atmosphere, the emerald of the forests.
This... this is...
The cradle of life. The place where all souls take root. And the harbor from which they will one day set sail for the stars.
Type-Earth. The third planet of the solar system. The Earth was reflected vividly in Air's crimson eyes.
[A,Aaaaaa･･･——]
Beast II was beginning to freeze. In the vacuum of space, she could no longer adapt. Marduk pointed toward the planet.
"Primordial Mother. You were rejected, and in your hatred and sorrow, you decided to end all life. But life has flourished... and it has already returned to you."
[——･･･!?]
"Don't you see? That sky, that earth... it was originally you, was it not? Every life born there is something birthed from you. Surely you understand what that means."
[——!!]
Beast II's eyes widened.
T H A N K Y O U
Across the surface of the planet, a message was written in rainbow light. It was Fou, flying across the world to scribe the ultimate words in seven-colored fire.
Fou...!
Air covered her mouth, moved to tears. This was what Fou had learned from her. The meaning of expressing gratitude. The proof of connecting hearts.
『...In the far future, my name remains, and I am loved by the people.』 Tiamat whispered. 『The life that rejected us... through growth and progress, has matured enough to love me.』
[——Aaa･･･]
『There is no more need for grief. As we wished... our children have finally come home to us.』
Beast II stared at the words floating on the planet.
[Th... th... ank... you...]
Not a beastly cry, but true words.
"I have no desire to desecrate a corpse. Sleep now, in this sky that overlooks the world. No one shall wake you."
『—Goodnight, Beast. Until the day your children finally fly beyond the stars.』
Lady Tiamat! Air called out to her as she drifted into sleep. Thank you for giving birth to us, for loving us... Thank you so, so much!
Gratitude for life. Gratitude for existence.
O Mother who birthed all life... rest in peace.
[————A... I... R]
Tiamat spoke haltingly.
[—B... e... ha... pp... y...]
Beast II smiled—a gentle, peaceful smile—and froze into a silent monument. Embraced by the darkness of the void, she became the Mother who watches over the stars.
"Eventually, we shall come for your body. We will find a suitable star, and you shall be a Mother once more," the King said softly. "We are those who journey. It is only right that you join us in the end."
『...Thank you. My wish... is fulfilled.』
Let's go home, Lady Tiamat.
『Eh...?』
Chains of Heaven wrapped around Marduk's hands.
Your children are waiting for you!
『But...』
"The Beast is gone. Did I not tell you what comes next? You are an essential system of Marduk, the core of our cyber-intelligence. I will not permit you to vanish."
『—...』
『—Smile, Mother. That's all I wanted to see.』
Tiamat hesitated, but then...
『—Thank you for your hard work, everyone. Let's go home! To our planet!』
She beamed—a radiant, brilliant smile.
The Beast of Regression, Beast II, is defeated here.
Through the return of gratitude, the path to the Temple of Time is revealed.
-------------------------------
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