The voice echoed through Kael's mind.
"Because you were afraid of what you would become."
Kael froze.
It was his voice.
Not Aetherion's.
Not Nox's.
His own.
"What... did I become?"
The figure beyond the Door smiled.
"You already know."
Kael shook his head.
"No."
The Last Core pulsed violently.
Memories flooded into his mind.
He saw himself standing before countless stars.
He saw civilizations kneeling.
He saw the Architects retreating.
He saw Nox bleeding beneath a shattered sky.
And then—
He saw himself holding a sword made entirely of darkness.
Behind him stood an endless army.
Not Devourers.
Something worse.
Something that answered only to him.
Kael staggered backward.
"I..."
Aetherion's voice became desperate.
"Don't remember everything!"
Kael looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because your mind isn't ready."
"Then tell me the truth!"
Silence.
Aetherion finally spoke.
"You were called the Star Eater."
Kael's heart stopped.
"The Star Eater?"
Nox's voice echoed across the battlefield.
"The one who devoured dying stars."
Kael looked toward the crimson sky.
Nox continued.
"You weren't the weapon of the Last Core."
"You were the reason it was created."
The Architects suddenly raised their weapons.
Their leader spoke.
"Memory restoration must be stopped."
Kael turned toward them.
"Why?"
The Architect answered.
"Because if you remember everything..."
Its voice became almost fearful.
"...you will become what you were."
The mysterious being beyond the Door laughed.
A deep, ancient sound.
"Let him remember."
The Last Core cracked again.
A massive wave of energy exploded from Kael.
Everyone was thrown backward.
The sky turned white.
For a moment, Kael disappeared.
Then he emerged.
His eyes were no longer completely white.
A thin ring of darkness surrounded them.
Aetherion went silent.
Kael looked at his hands.
Dark energy flowed between his fingers.
He didn't feel stronger.
He felt...
Familiar.
Like he had finally returned home.
The other Kael beyond the Door smiled.
"Welcome back."
Kael stared at him.
"Who are you?"
The figure stepped closer.
"I am the part of you that you left behind."
The Door began opening.
Wider.
Wider.
The darkness beyond it poured into the universe.
The Architects retreated.
The Devourers fled.
Even Nox disappeared into the shadows.
For the first time...
Everyone was afraid.
Kael stood alone before the opening Door.
Then the forgotten voice inside his mind whispered one final sentence.
"Now remember why you erased yourself."
Kael closed his eyes.
And the memories began to return.